Using easy crochet stitches, this rectangular crochet shawl pattern features a patchwork of colorful circles resembling an heirloom yo-yo quilt.
Since the striping is made with the yarn itself, you don’t have to worry about cutting off and reattaching the yarn. This allows you to simply crochet away and you can have this finished in no time at all.
“Rainbow Gumballs Shawl” free crochet pattern by Kim Guzman © Mar. 2023. All rights reserved.
Technique: Regular Crochet.
Skill Level: Easy.
Crochet Pattern At A Glance
Rectangular Crochet Shawl Pattern
Designer: Kim Guzman © 2022-24. All rights reserved.Rate the Pattern
Yarn
- “Curiosity” by King Cole yarns, 100% premium acrylic, approx. 524 yds (480m) per 150g, 2 cakes used for a total of 1048 yds, color Merlin
Other Materials
- Suggested Crochet Hook Size H-8 (5mm) or hook needed to meet gauge
- Yarn Needle for weaving ends
Instructions
- Work foundation row (adjusting if desired with stitch multiple).
- Work 2 more rows to set up before the row repeat.
- Work a full 3-row repeat.
- Work 35 more 3-row repeats. Fasten off.
- Block lightly, if desired.
Full Free Crochet Pattern Below
This is a free crochet pattern and the written instructions are below. If you prefer a printable download, a PDF is also available for purchase.
My Crochet Pattern Notes
This shawl pattern would normally be rated as Beginner level because it’s made in all shells throughout. There’s a little bit of something new to beginners with every third row working a stitch in one of the rows below. I’ve moved it up to #2 skill level because of that little extra learning curve.
This lacy shawl is made in a rectangle from short edge to short edge. The stitch multiple is provided so you could make it wider or, if you prefer to work from long edge to long edge.
Working with Multicolor Cake Yarn
The color striping in this shawl is made by the yarn rather than using many colors with cutting off and reattaching. I’m a fan of letting the yarn stripe naturally. I love to see the random striping and how it will turn out.
The only thing I did differently here is, with the first cake of yarn, I pulled the yarn from the center. With the second cake, I pulled the yarn from the outside. This way, both short edges of the shawl ended with the same color.
Sometimes, I’ve reversed the cake with a ball winder. This is definitely handy. It allows you to pull the yarn from the inside, just like you do normally. The colors will just be in the opposite direction.
This time, though, I put the yarn in a half gallon canning jar and pulled the yarn from the outside of the cake. This kept the cake from bouncing around and getting tangled. I have a yarn bowl, but that works better when the yarn is in a ball rather than a cake.
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Finished Size
15″ wide, 62″ long.
Yarn
“Curiosity” by King Cole yarns, 100% premium acrylic, approx. 524 yds (480m) per 150g, 2 cakes used for a total of 1048 yds, color Merlin.
“Curiosity” is classified as a DK weight (size 3) yarn and is currently available in 13 colorways.
Available at Wool Warehouse. If you’re in the US, look up at the top right to switch to US Dollars. I’ve purchased from them for years and love the selection.
Yarn Substitution
Since this is a self-striping yarn, there are lots of choices available right now since self-striping cakes are so popular. Just look for DK Size 3 weight, or adjust your stitch count for a different yarn weight.
An excellent substitution is Lion Brand Mandala Yarn. It’s currently available in 27 shades. For me, the main difference between these two yarns is that the Curiosity yarn has a more “rugged” appearance. It has the look of wool so I was surprised to find that it was all acrylic.
Other Materials
Suggested Crochet Hook Size H-8 (5mm) or hook needed to meet gauge.
Yarn Needle for weaving ends.
Gauge
Due to the way this stitch pattern is created, it’s more difficult to measure gauge. Each motif measures a little under 1.5″ across and a little over 1.5″ high.
Special Stitches
Shell (sh): Work: [3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc] in indicated ch-1 sp.
Long Single Crochet (long sc): Reach down below the lowest chain space indicated, yarn over and pull a loop through, complete the single crochet normally. This pulls together the indicated chain spaces and wraps them in the single crochet. For most of the project, you’re simply working the single crochet around two ch-2 spaces and pulling them together.
The first long sc is a little more tricky since you have to pull together the foundation ch-5 space at the same time, meaning all 3 chain spaces. It takes a little practice. You’ll need to hold the surrounding stitches steady with your non-hook hand in order to accomplish it.
Other Abbreviations
This crochet lace shawl is written in US crochet terminology.
beg=beginning; ch=chain; dc=double crochet; rep=repeat; sk=skip; sp(s)=space(s).
All numbers after the colon at the end of an instruction are stitch counts. Use the stitch count to check your work.
Stitch Multiple
To change the width, make your initial chain any multiple of 7, then add 11.
Free Crochet Pattern Instructions
There is no right or wrong side. Both are the same since this is a 3-row repeat.
Row 1: Ch 67, sk 3 ch, 3 dc in next ch, *ch 2, sk 5 ch, 3 dc in next ch, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch, rep from * to last 7 ch, ch 2, sk 5 ch, 3 dc in next ch, dc in last ch, turn.
Note: When the instruction states to work into a ch-1 sp, it is accepted that all the extra stitches leading up to the ch-1 sp will be skipped.
Row 2: Ch 3, sk first dc, 3 dc in next dc, *ch 2, sh (see Special Stitches above) in next ch-1 sp, rep from * to last ch-2 sp, sk 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc, dc in top of beg ch 3, turn: 8 sh.
Row 3: Ch 3, sk first dc, 3 dc in next dc, *ch 1, long sc (see Special Stitches above) around ch-5 foundation ch and both ch-2 sps below, ch 1, sh in next ch-1 sp of sh, rep from * to last ch-2 sp, ch 1, long sc around ch-5 foundation ch and both ch-2 sps below, ch 1, sk 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc, dc in top of beg ch 3, turn: 8 sh.
Row 4: Ch 3, sk first dc, 3 dc in next dc, *ch 2, sh in next ch-1 sp of sh, rep from * to last 3 dc, ch 2, sk 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc, dc in top of beg ch 3, turn: 8 sh.
Row 5: Ch 3, sk first dc, 3 dc in next dc, *ch 2, sh in next ch-1 sp of sh, rep from * to last ch-2 sp, ch 2, sk 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc, dc in top of beg ch 3, turn: 8 sh.
Row 6: Ch 3, sk first dc, 3 dc in next dc, *ch 1, long sc around both ch-2 sps below, ch 1, sh in next ch-1 sp of sh, rep from * to last ch-2 sp, ch 1, long sc around both ch-2 sps below, ch 1, sk 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc, dc in top of beg ch 3, turn: 8 sh.
Rows 7-111: Rep rows 3-6. Fasten off after final row.
Finishing
Weave in ends with yarn needle. Block lightly, if desired.
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TERMS: To my fellow crafters, you have my permission to use my patterns to make and sell your projects* anywhere you like. You cannot use my images to sell your projects, though. You must take photos of your own work. All patterns have been tested but mistakes can happen. If you find a mistake, please let me know. Everything at MakeItCrochet.com is protected by copyright to Kim Guzman. Other than the permissions previously given, no one other than Kim Guzman has permission to: reproduce, copy, publish or distribute this pattern, its parts or photos in any way or form, including, but not limited to, translations into foreign languages & video production.
*Not intended to be blanket permission for mass production.
Loretha Elaine Dixon says
Looks very nice and airy.easy to make I think I will try it if I get the pattern.
Kim Guzman says
Great! I hope you love it. Thank you for writing!
pamela says
Easy and beautiful thank you
Kim Guzman says
I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for writing!
Patricia in New Mexico says
I have just started this pattern and I am on row three. You’re right in that it is tricky. I studied your second photo and followed your instructions very slowly and step-by-step. By the time I was making my fifth shell, I could see much improvement as well as the yo-yos forming. This will definitely make a beautiful shawl. I look forward to continuing working on it and I’m so glad I found your blog. Naturally, I’ll update in your comments.
Kim Guzman says
That’s great! I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Thank you for writing. 🙂