Calm Bay

This lace shawl in Tunisian crochet is worked in 3 shades of DK weight yarn. Tunisian crochet is an exciting hybrid of crochet and knitting, and both crocheters and knitters will find this pattern to have many familiar and easily understood elements. Previous experience with Tunisian crochet (TC) is not essential for this project, as there are simple explanations given for each stitch. TC lace has a uniquely attractive appearance which is very different from that of knitted and crocheted lace and it works up quickly on a large hook. The design uses 4 openwork stitches and only 2 increase rows. Three shades of any color may be used, but gradient or variegated colors, or a single color will also be suitable. A tiny scalloped crochet edging adds a decorative touch. The shawl was made extra long for flexibility of wearing, with tapered ends. If preferred, the pattern can be sized down to a rectangular shawl or a scarf (guidelines given below). I wanted a large and comfortable lace shawl which would be as peaceful to make as to wear! The colors of the yarn were my inspiration. They reminded me of the intense, sparkling blues of the Mediterranean off the Cote d’Azur. At the end of a hectic day, the simple repetitive patterns in the long rows of this shawl offer a very calm and soothing retreat.

A row in Tunisian crochet consists of a Forward Pass worked by picking up loops on the hook from right to left and a Return Pass which is worked from left to right. Extended TC stitches are taller and are made by adding one or more chains after working a standard stitch.

The shawl is worked top down in a trapezoid shape in a 4-row pattern with increases worked in two rows.