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Pohutukawa Shawl Pattern

Pohutukawa Shawl Pattern
4.8★ Rating
12-15 Hours Time Needed
3.4K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Multi-Day Project

A rewarding 12+ hour journey—perfect for dedicated crafters who love detailed work.

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Elegant Drape

Soft flow with graceful movement, designed to flatter all body types with sophisticated comfort.

About This Pohutukawa Shawl Pattern

This pattern creates a 3/4 shawl worked top-down with alternating sections of textured slip-stitch stripes and color lace panels. The design is inspired by the Pohutukawa tree, pairing drapey fingering-weight yarn with a contrast color for striking stripes. It includes full written instructions, stitch charts, and stitch count tables to guide you through shaping and finishing.

Pohutukawa Shawl Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

The pattern uses a fingering/4-ply yarn worked on a long circular needle and is finished with a dramatic fringe. Detailed notes on construction and stitch patterns help you maintain consistent shaping as you increase.

Why You'll Love This Pohutukawa Shawl Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it blends textural stripes with airy lace to create a shawl that is both cozy and elegant. I designed it to evoke the bark and bright flowers of the Pohutukawa, and I enjoy how the contrast color brings the lace to life. Working top-down makes the construction intuitive, and the included stitch charts make the lace easy to follow. This shawl blocks beautifully and has a luxurious drape thanks to the yarn choice.

Pohutukawa Shawl Pattern step 1 - construction progress Pohutukawa Shawl Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Pohutukawa Shawl Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Pohutukawa Shawl Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how this shawl adapts to different colorways: try muted neutrals for a subtle everyday wrap or high-contrast brights to emphasize the lace and stripes.

I often change the stripe sequence by working additional repeats of the Pohutukawa Stripe to lengthen the shawl and add more texture sections.

If you want a lighter shawl, use a lighter fingering yarn and smaller needles; for a chunkier, cozier version, choose sport or DK weight with appropriately larger needles.

I like to swap the I-Cord bind off for a simple applied I-cord for a slightly different edge finish and extra stability.

To make a mini version for a gift or keyring, work fewer repeats and reduce the number of increases following the stitch count tables.

Try adding beads to the yo stitches in the lace section on the RS rows for a subtle sparkle and more formal look.

I sometimes omit the fringe for a cleaner modern edge or shorten the fringe length for a more subdued finish depending on the intended wearer.

Play with contrast by using a variegated yarn for MC and a solid for CC to create a painterly stripe effect that still highlights the lace panels.

If you prefer symmetry, experiment with mirroring the stitch pattern on both sides of the spine, though this will alter the original construction slightly.

I recommend blocking variations: gentle wet block for open lace, or a more vigorous steam block to relax fibers and emphasize drape, based on your chosen fiber content.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Not using a long circular needle can make managing the large number of stitches difficult; use a 60 in./150 cm circular needle to keep your stitches comfortable on the needle. ✗ Failing to carry the non-working yarn up the side will create many ends to weave in at the end; carry the unused yarn up the side every RS row as instructed. ✗ Ignoring the stitch count tables when changing sections can lead to incorrect shaping; refer to the stitch count tables after each section and count your stitches carefully. ✗ Skipping the recommended I-Cord bind off will change the finished edge appearance and stability; follow the I-Cord bind off instructions in CC for a neat bound edge.

Pohutukawa Shawl Pattern

Create a 3/4 shawl inspired by the iconic Pohutukawa tree with alternating lace and textured stripes. This shawl uses fingering weight yarn and color contrast to produce dramatic stripes and a delicate lace border finished with long fringe. The pattern includes written row-by-row instructions, stitch charts, and detailed finishing notes to help you through every step.

Intermediate 12-15 Hours

Materials Needed for Pohutukawa Shawl Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Main Color (MC): 650 - 750 yds / 596 - 690 m fingering/4-ply
  • 02
    Contrast Color (CC) with fringe: 620 - 710 yds / 570 - 650 m fingering/4-ply
  • 03
    Brambles & Me Rivulet (70% British Bluefaced Leicester, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere), 100 g = 437 yds / 400 m
  • 04
    Suggested: 2 skeins in Muddy Boots (MC) and Tender Hearts (CC) (adjust quantities to meet yardage ranges)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    US 5 / 3.5 mm size or size needed to obtain gauge, 60 in. / 150 cm circular needle
  • 02
    A long circular needle is recommended to accommodate the large number of stitches
  • 03
    Stitch markers
  • 04
    Crochet hook (for placing fringe)
  • 05
    Darning / tapestry needle for weaving in ends
  • 06
    Scissors

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Casting On :

Round 1 :

Garter Tab CO: CO on 3 sts in MC yarn. Knit 10 rows. Rotate work 90 degrees, pick up 5 sts (using the purl ridges to pick up the sts). Rotate work 90 degrees again, pick up 3 sts (at the cast-on edge). You have 11 sts on the needle.

— Set-Up :

Round 1 :

Continuing in MC yarn, following the 3/4 shawl construction, work in St. st for 6 rows (7 sts; 29 sts total).

— Body :

Step 1 :

Work POHUTUKAWA STRIPE Rows [1-12] 4 times, alternating between MC and CC yarns when needed, then work Rows [1-2] once more.You will have five garter stitch stripes (50 rows total; 57 sts; 179 sts total).

Step 2 :

In CC yarn (don't cut and drop MC yarn, instead carry it along the side of the work), work POHUTUKAWA LACE Rows [1-16] once (16 rows; 73 sts; 227 sts total).

Step 3 :

Work POHUTUKAWA STRIPE Rows [1-12] 4 times, alternating between MC and CC yarns when needed (48 rows; 121 sts; 371 sts total).

Step 4 :

Work POHUTUKAWA STRIPE Rows [1-2] once more, but on the RS row, work a k2tog after the first yo, and an ssk before the second yo in each "triangle" of the shawl (2 rows; 121 sts; 371 sts total).

Step 5 :

Rep Step 2 (16 rows; 137 sts; 419 sts total).

Step 6 :

Rep Steps 3 - 5 once more. (There will be three lace sections; 66 rows total; 185 sts; 563 sts total)

Step 7 :

Work POHUTUKAWA STRIPE Rows [1-12] once and then Rows [1-2] again (14 rows total; 215 sts; 653 sts total).

— Finishing :

Round 1 :

In CC yarn, use the I-Cord Bind Off: CO three stitches with the CC onto the left needle, k2, k2tog tbl (1 shawl stitch bound off), transfer the three sts back onto the left needle, continue until all sts are bound off, then k3tog.

Info :

Weave in ends and block.

— Fringe :

Round 1 :

Cut the CC yarn into 10 in./25 cm strips. Group into 3s and place each fringe approx. one inch apart using a crochet hook.

— Stitch Patterns :

Info :

POHUTUKAWA STRIPE (ODD NUMBER OF STS) and POHUTUKAWA LACE (8 STS + 1) are worked as shown in the written rows and charts provided. Follow RS/WS row instructions and repeat stitch patterns as indicated.

— Pohutukawa Stripe :

Round 1 :

In CC, Row 1 (RS): Yo, k until m, yo.

Round 2 :

In CC, Row 2 (WS): K all sts.

Round 3 :

In MC onwards, Row 3: Yo, k until m, yo.

Round 4 :

Rows 4, 6, 10 and 12: Purl.

Round 5 :

Rows 5, 9 and 11: Yo, k until m, yo.

Round 6 :

Row 7: Yo, (p1, sl wyif) until 1 st from m, p1, yo.

Round 7 :

Row 8: (K1, sl) until 1 st from m, k1.

— Pohutukawa Lace :

Round 1 :

Row 1 (RS): Yo, *k1, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo; rep from * until 1 st from m, k1, yo.

Round 2 :

Row 2 and all WS rows: P all p sts, k all k sts, p all yo.

Round 3 :

Row 3: Yo, k1, *k2, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1; rep from * until 2 sts from m, k2, yo.

Round 4 :

Row 5: Yo, k2, *p1, k2, yo, CDD, yo, k2; rep from * until 3 sts from m, p1, k2, yo.

Round 5 :

Row 7: Yo, k3, *p1, ssk, (k1, yo) x 2, k1, k2tog; rep from * until 4 sts from m, p1, k3, yo.

Round 6 :

Row 9: (Yo, k1) x 2, k2tog, *p1, ssk, (k1, yo) x 2, k1, k2tog; rep from * until 5 sts from m, p1, ssk, (k1, yo) x 2, k1, yo x 2.

Round 7 :

Row 11: Yo, k2, yo, k1, k2tog, *p1, ssk, (k1, yo) x 2, k1, k2tog; rep from * until 6 sts from m, p1, ssk, (k1, yo) x 2, k1, k2tog, yo.

Round 8 :

Row 13: Yo, k3, yo, k1, k2tog, *p1, ssk, (k1, yo) x 2, k2, k1, k2tog; rep from * until 7 sts from m, p1, ssk, k1, yo, k3, yo.

Round 9 :

Row 15: Yo, ssk, (k1, yo) x 2, k1, k2tog, *p1, ssk, (k1, yo) x 2, k1, k2tog; rep from * until 8 sts from m, p1, ssk, (k1, yo) x 2, k1, k2tog, yo.

Assembly Instructions

  • Use the I-Cord Bind Off in CC to create a neat finished edge: cast on three stitches with CC onto the left needle, work the bind off sequence across the shawl, then finish with k3tog as instructed.
  • Carry the non-working yarn up the side of the work every RS row to avoid thousands of ends and maintain a tidy side edge.
  • Cut CC yarn into 10 in./25 cm strips, group into sets of three and attach fringe approximately one inch apart along the lower edge using a crochet hook.
  • Weave in all ends securely with a darning needle and block the shawl to the measurements desired to open the lace and even out the stripes.
  • Use stitch markers at the center spine and triangle edges as you work to ensure increases and decreases stay aligned with the stitch count tables.

Important Notes

  • 💡A long circular needle (60 in./150 cm) is recommended to accommodate the large number of stitches as the shawl grows.
  • 💡Gauge is shown for reference (22 sts and 36 rows over 4 in. / 10 cm in Pohutukawa Stripe after blocking) but is not crucial; varying gauge will affect yardage and final size.
  • 💡Carry non-working yarn up the side on every RS row to minimize weaving in ends at the end of the project.
  • 💡Work stitch pattern repeats and follow the stitch count tables closely to maintain proper shaping and avoid stitch count errors.

This elegant Pohutukawa Shawl combines textured stripes with delicate lace to create a wearable work of art. The design is inspired by the iconic Pohutukawa tree and finished with dramatic fringe for movement and charm. Make one to wrap yourself in color, texture, and memory. 🧶✨

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished 3/4 shawl measures approximately 34 in./86 cm from tip to center and 40 in./102 cm across the straight edge before blocking; final dimensions depend on blocking and yarn choice.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

You can substitute yarn weights, but it will change the finished size and drape; adjust your needle size and check gauge, and be prepared for altered yardage needs.

Do I need prior knitting experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate and assumes familiarity with increases, decreases, reading charts, and working lace and textured slip-stitch sections.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most knitters will finish this project in multiple sessions over several days; typical time is in the 12-15 hour range depending on experience and pace.