A stunning crochet shawl Advent calendar pattern designed to showcase the beauty of mini skeins while creating a soft, marled gradient.
A painterly feather-and-fan rectangular crochet shawl that invites you to play with color and texture. Using Hedgehog Fibres 2024 Advent Calendar, this beautiful shawl features 24 unique, speckled mini skeins that create a stunning marled gradient.
With yarn held double throughout, you’ll achieve a soft, blended effect that beautifully transitions from one shade to the next. Crocheting this lacy shawl felt like painting with yarn and I loved watching as each days color combinations unfolded!
Yarn transition instructions are included in the pattern, which is an easy 2-row repeat. If you prefer to print your pattern, the low-cost PDF pattern contains a helpful crochet chart.
How to get the Pattern for Claddagh Shawl
- Free Crochet Pattern: Scroll down for the written pattern and marling instructions.
- Printable PDF: Ad-free PDF pattern with all details and a crochet chart, available to download from Ravelry and Etsy
Yarn for your Shawl
For this rectangular shawl, you’ll need 480g (approx. 1920m) of fingering weight yarn minis in a variety of colors. The colors pictured are Potluck shades from the Hedgehog Fibres 2024 Advent Calendar, featuring 24 unique 20g mini skeins.
You’ll also need a 5mm crochet hook (or adjust to 5.5mm if your tension is tight). Be sure to make a gauge swatch to ensure the best drape for your project.
Working two strands of fingering weight yarn together equates to a DK weight yarn so you could also use a DK weight yarn (approx.1000m) if you wish, to crochet the shawl. Be aware your gauge may vary. The gorgeous feather and fan stitch pattern is very adaptable!
The finished measurements for my crochet shawl was 84 in (213.5 cm) long x 19 in (48 cm) wide (after blocking).
Yarn Advent Calendar or Stash Busting?
This crochet wrap was designed for a yarn advent calendar, but it’s also a fantastic project for using up mini skeins or odds and ends from your stash. You can choose colors that fade into each other for a subtle gradient or opt for bold contrasts to create striking stripes.
If you’re using an advent calendar, some people enjoy adding their mini skein to the project each day as they open it, adding a fun sense of anticipation throughout December. Others prefer to open all their skeins first and plan out the color arrangement more deliberately.
The pattern is entirely customizable. You can use one solid color, create vibrant stripes, or experiment with a marled effect using scraps from your stash. The possibilities are endless!
The shawl pattern is an easy relaxing 2-row repeat, leaving you to enjoy crocheting with your beautiful colors. You will also love Whisper, a crochet scarf using lace weight and fingering yarn held together with a stunning result!
It is important to read through the yarn transition notes below before you start the shawl.
Yarn Transition Instructions
This pattern uses a “marling” technique to create a soft, gradual fade effect with no visible striping. Working with 24 mini skeins (approx. 20g/80m each) from an advent yarn calendar, you’ll transition from Color A through to Color Y (Day 1 to Day 24) by holding the yarn double throughout. No need to worry about being exact – this technique is flexible, and every shawl will be uniquely beautiful.
If you want to be precise, keep a small digital scale handy to measure your yarn. For example:
- Each skein is 20g, so 25% is 5g and 75% is 15g.
However, there’s no need to stress about precision. As you work through the skeins, you’ll start to naturally gauge when it’s time to switch. The technique works even if changes happen mid-row, and that randomness adds to the charm.
It might feel like a bit of a “faff” initially, but once you get into the rhythm, it becomes second nature.
Step-by-Step Yarn Changes with Percentages
- Start with Color A: Hold two strands of Color A (one from the inside and one from the outside of the ball). Crochet until you’ve used about 75% of Color A, which is approximately 15g if you’re weighing.
- Blend in Color B: Drop one strand of A and replace it with one strand of B. You’ll now be holding 1 strand of A and 1 strand of B together. Continue crocheting with this combination until you’ve completely used up Color A. By this point, you’ll have used the remaining 25% of A (about 5g) and 25% of B (about 5g).
- Switch Fully to Color B: Once Color A is gone, hold two strands of Color B and crochet until only 25% of Color B remains (approximately 5g).
- Fade in Color C: Drop one strand of B and replace it with one strand of C. You’ll now be holding 1 strand of B and 1 strand of C together. Continue crocheting with this combination until Color B runs out, using the remaining 25% of B (5g) and 25% of C (5g).
- Repeat the process: Continue this pattern, blending and transitioning each new color, until you reach Color Y.
Tips for Estimating Percentages Without a Scale!
If you prefer to be less specific or don’t have a scale:
- Divide your balls visually: If a skein looks about three-quarters used, it’s time to introduce the next color.
- If you’re unsure, err on the side of blending earlier rather than later—you can always adjust as you go.
- The marling technique is forgiving, and the soft fades will look beautiful regardless of exact measurements.
Claddagh Shawl Pattern
Materials
• 480g of Fingering Weight Yarn Minis (90% Merino wool, 10% nylon, 20g/80m) in a variety of colors or scraps.
• The colors pictured are ‘Potluck’ colors featured in Hedgehog Fibres 2024 Advent Calendar – 24 x 20g mini skeins (approx. 1920m)
• 5mm hook (if your tension is tight, you can use a 5.5mm hook. Make a gauge swatch and see what gives the best drape for your tension)
Notes
• Pattern is in US crochet terms.
• Ch 1 at beginning of a row does not count as a stitch.
• Ch 4 at beginning of a row counts as 1 treble.
• Yarn is held doubled throughout.
• Pattern multiple is 19 sts + 1.
• Stitch counts are in italics, at the end of a row to help you keep track
Abbreviations
US Crochet Terms
- Sc – single crochet
- Tr – treble crochet
- St – stitch
- Rep – repeat
- Ch – chain
- Beg – beginning
Measurements
84 in (213.5 cm) long x 19 in (48 cm) wide – shawl blocked
Gauge
To check your gauge, chain 39 and work 9 rows in pattern. After blocking, your swatch should measure approximately:
• 5 inches (12.5 cm) in height
• 4.5 inches (11.5 cm) in width per pattern repeat (19 sts)
Printable PDF: Ad-free PDF pattern with all details and a crochet chart, available to download from Ravelry and Etsy
Shawl Instructions
Taking 2 strands of yarn A and a 5mm hook, ch 77
Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in each ch across, turn – 76 sc
Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as 1 treble here and throughout), 4 tr in 1st st, 1 tr in next st, [skip next st, 1 tr in next st] 8 times, 5 tr in next st, * 5 tr in next st, 1 tr in next st, [skip next st, 1 tr in next st] 8 times, 5 tr in next st; rep from * 2 more times, turn – 76 tr
Row 3: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), 1 sc in each st across, turn – 76 sc
Repeat Rows 2 & 3 for pattern
I made a total of 129 rows for my shawl.
Finishing
Weave in all loose ends. Lay project out to finished size and pull gently into shape. Pin in place and spray lightly with water and leave to dry. You can wet block shawl if desired – check your yarn fiber instructions.
More Free Crochet Rectangle Shawl Patterns
- Inishfree Shawl – beautiful rectangular shawl in a yarn cake
- Aideen Shawl – a filet stitch shawl that is beautiful and lacy
- Gemstone Wrap – easy rectangle shawl in dk weight yarn
- Venetia Shawl – delicate lace crochet wrap
- Feile Wrap – perfect for leftover yarn
- 17 Free & Easy Rectangular Wraps
PIN FOR LATER
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and be sure to tag me in your photos so I can see it too, @anniedesigncrochet or #anniedesigncrochet – I can’t wait to see what colours you use with this pattern!
The photographs and pattern contained on this page are the property of Annie Design Crochet.com.
You are welcome to use this pattern to make items to sell, and I would appreciate that you include a link to the free pattern with credit for the designer, thank you!
No unauthorized reproduction, in whole or in part, or distribution of this pattern or content is permitted.
Hi, I am having trouble with the pattern. Really appreciate it if you could help.
How many clusters at end of round 2? I have 3 stitches left after the 5th cluster. I guess I have made a mistake but can’t figure it out. Any suggestions would be greatly helpful.
Thank you.
Anit
Hi! I am not sure I understand. The pattern is in rows, not rounds. Is it possible you are referring to a different pattern? Please feel free to email me with more details – carmen@anniedesigncrochet.com and I will do my best to help