Ok, I admit it! I love designing shawls. Do you love making them too? I’ve been part of the prayer shawl ministry at my church for years now. We’ve made lots of shawls. That’s probably where I get a lot of my inspiration.
We also make lap blankets, baby gifts, hats, and scarves. Often we’ll have a hat and scarf drive around Christmas. Even if you’re not in a prayer shawl group, I know as a crocheter that you probably give lots of your hand-crafted items away.
I often think of the members of the group or those who receive the items when I’m working up a new design. So, this ripple shawl is made with the idea of being a prayer shawl.
Ripple patterns can be a bit challenging because it’s easy to get shifted over a stitch or two. Then your ripples don’t line up, and it can be very frustrating. I know some of the prayer shawl group members don’t like ripple patterns for this reason.
But ripples are such a classic crochet design. I love making ripple patterns. And I think with the right yarn they can have a very modern look.
This ripple design is very easy. Pick a yarn with long color changes like the Jewelspun, and you’ll have a gorgeous multicolor shawl in no time. It looks great in solid too, or with stripes of different colors of yarn.
Once you have the ripple pattern down, you can spend your crochet time thinking about or praying for the recipient if you choose. I’m calling it the Cara Shawl because Cara can mean friend, beloved, or cherished one.
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About the Inspiration for the Ripple Crochet Prayer Shawl
There were two inspirations for this shawl. First, I wanted to design a relaxing ripple shawl pattern – one where someone could relax and think about the recipient while they crocheted. Second, this yarn just seemed perfect with its beautiful and long color changes.
About the Yarn
I really loved working with the Jewelspun yarn. It’s super soft and squishy. It has the slightest bit of thick and thin texture which makes it fun. And the long color changes are great for crochet. It ends up working up to look like gradually changing rows of color. The balls come in super generous sizes too. You’ll only need two balls to make the entire shawl. I found it at one of my local yarn shops. If you can’t find it there, it’s also easily available online.
Fall Fashion Blog Hop and Bundle
This pattern was featured on October 14, 2021 as part of the Fall Fashion Blog Hop hosted by E’Claire Makery. Each day in October 2021 a different designer offered an accessory or garment pattern as a free download. The blog hop has ended. You can still go to the round up post to check out the other patterns that were included.
Pattern Options
The Cara Shawl is a free crochet pattern for a ripple crochet prayer shawl in U.S. crochet terminology. It is included for free on the blog below.
PDF Pattern Downloads: You can also purchase a printable PDF of this pattern in my Etsy Shop and Ravelry Shop.
Click the Photo Below to Pin this Pattern for Later
Tester Projects
The testers really knocked it out of the park with this shawl. I love seeing how patterns show up differently in different yarns. A couple testers used yarns with long color changes. Another did stripes. And there’s a solid too. Which do you like the best?
Ripple Crochet Prayer Shawl
What You’ll Need
Yarn: Worsted weight yarn (#4 Medium) in color(s) of choice. Approximately 1090 yards.
Shown above: Sirdar Jewelspun (100% acrylic), 546 yd [500m]/7 oz [200g]: #0695 (Daybreak Delta), 2 skeins.
Hook: Size H/8 (5.0 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
Notions: Tapestry needle, measuring tape, optional stitch markers.
Sizing and Gauge
Size: One size, approximately 23” x 60”.
Gauge: 14 sts and 7 rows = 4” x 4” in dc.
Pattern Notes
Notes:
- Ch 2 at beg of row 2 and all subsequent rows does not count as a st
- To make a wider shawl, adjust the base chain by adding sts in multiples of 8
- Find more information about stitch multiples at https://craftingeachday.com/crochet-stitch-multiples/
- To make a longer shawl, add more rows
- Note that a wider or longer shawl will require more yarn
- Use optional stitch markers to mark the edge sts and move them up as you go along
Standard Stitch Abbreviations (U.S. Crochet Terminology):
beg: beginning
ch(s): chain(s)
dc: double crochet
dc3tog: double crochet 3 together
rep: repeat
sts(s): stitches
Ripple Crochet Prayer Shawl Pattern
Multiple: 16 + 3 (see notes for more information about crochet stitch multiples)
Base Chain: Ch 83 (or adjust base chain to desired width of shawl).
Row 1: 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, *dc in next 6 chs, dc3tog over next 3 chs, dc in each of next 6 chs**, 3 dc in next ch; rep from * across ending last rep at **, 2 dc in last ch, turn.
Row 2: Ch 2 loosely (beg chs do not count as sts in this row and all subsequent rows), 2 dc in first st, *dc in each of next 6 sts, dc3tog, dc in each of next 6 sts**, 3 dc in next st; rep from * across ending last rep at **, 2 dc in last st, turn.
Rows 3 – 94: Rep row 2. Fasten off at the end of row 94.
Finishing: Weave in ends. Block if desired.
Other Crochet Shawl Projects You Might Enjoy
If you like the Cara Shawl, you might also like the Susan Shawl, the Caramel Fudge Ripple Wrap, and the Daphne Shawl, all of which are easy and use worsted weight yarn.