Vela Flower Shawl
The Vela Flower Shawl is a triangle shawl worked top-down and full of visual texture. It features three different flower stitches which start with a tight weave of stitches close together, and gradually changes to the loose open weave of lace.
This crochet flower shawl comes in two sizes: adult and child version. This design is part of my special series of patterns dedicated to extended family (people with the same rare tumor as I have).
Get the free pattern below or purchase the ad-free PDF version of this pattern on Etsy and Ravelry. The PDF is designed for printing and this way you can support me!
Permission: Learn more about selling finished items using my patterns in my FAQ here.
Maybe you also like: Ana Lucia Shawl
About Vela
The Vela Flower Shawl is dedicated to Vela, my 4 year old mini-me from San Diego who also was my flower girl when I got married in Las Vegas. Vela has the same blond hair, blue eyes and even the same character and temper as I had at that age: literally my mini-me!
She is the most happy and funny girl and absolutely loves flowers. She always wants to smell them and calls them her friends.
Last year I visited Vela and her parents in San Diego which is when I started working on this shawl. She even helped me designing this ‘cute shawl’, as you can see in the video below 😉
Maybe you also like: This Is Me Shawl
About the design
This crochet flower shawl is inspired by Vela’s love for flowers. I’ve designed three different flower stitches aka Vela’s flower friends.
If you have a preference for 1 of the 3 flower stitches, make sure to check out the Vela Flower Friend Shawl 1, 2 & 3, each featuring 1 of the 3 unique stitches!
About the pattern
This pattern is available in two sizes: a child and adult version. The smaller version is a bit shorter and made with less repeats.
Shawl is worked top-down and features mostly basic stitches such as dc, sc, chains and 3 special flower stitches.
This shawl contains three different sections each featuring a unique flower stitch. To keep the pattern as simple as possible, each flower section consist of 3 rows that are repeated.
Between the flower sections are 7 rows of dc, post stitches and dc worked in the back loop only. This creates a beautiful texture.
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with a video tutorial which shows how to make this shawl.
Maybe you also like: Jaycee Butterfly Shawl
About the yarn
I’ve used a pink/purple gradient yarn cake which are Vela’s favorite colors. I’ve shown her many different color options, and this is the color option she chose herself.
About this special series of patterns
I was born with a (benign) tumor in my face. For more than 22 years my doctors did not know what it was exactly. In 2017 I did a second opinion and got diagnosed with an ultra rare condition. I immediately started searching for other people with this condition.
So far I have found about 30 people in the whole wide world. It’s amazing how many similarities we have and how much we look alike. I am very happy they came into my life. Many of my upcoming patterns, including this one, will be special designs inspired by my new ‘extended family’.
> Read more about me
> Read more about this special series of patterns
Vela Flower Shawl
free crochet pattern
Materials
– 1 gradient yarn cake (Weight 3/light, 800m/875yds, 200g/7.1oz)
You can find alternative yarn cakes on Etsy.
> Click here to read more about alternative yarn cakes available worldwide.
– crochet hook 4mm (US G/6 hook)
– Tapestry needle
– Scissors
Finished size
Adult
Height: 60 cm / 23.5″
Width: 165 cm / 65”
Kid
Height: 45 cm / 17.5″
Width: 140 cm / 55”
Gauge
20 dc and 10 rows equal 10 cm x 10 cm / 4” square
Stitches & abbreviations
– st: stitch
– sl st: slip stitch
– ch: chain
– ch-sp: chain space
– sc: single crochet
– dc: double crochet
– dc blo: double crochet worked in the back loop only
– fpdc: front post double crochet
– puff: puff stitch
– Special stitches:
Flower friend 1:
1 sc in next st, ch 4, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, ch 3, sl st in same ch, *ch 3, 1 dc in same ch, ch 3, sl st in same ch* repeat 2 more times, ch 1, sc in same st as where you started
Flower friend 2:
1 puff stitch in next dc, ch 1, 1 puff stitch in same dc, ch 1, 1 puff stitch in same dc
Flower friend 3:
1 sc in next ch-sp, ch 3, sl st in 1st ch, 1 sc in same ch-sp
Notes
– This pattern is written in US terminology
– Shawl is worked top down
– First 3 chains count as a stitch
– Stitch count does not include 2 center chains
– It is helpful to place a marker in the first, center and last stitches and move it up with every row
Video
Below you can find my video tutorial. If you do not see the video, turn off your ad-blocker.
* Click here to watch the video on YouTube
Written pattern – adult size
** An ad-free PDF version is available on Etsy and Ravelry.
It’s designed for printing and this way you can support me **
Ch 4, sl st to first ch to form a ring. Or begin with a magic circle.
Row 1:
ch 3, 3 dc into ring, ch 2, 4 dc into ring, turn (8)
Row 2:
ch 3, 2 dc in first st,
1 dc in each st to center ch-sp,
(1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in center ch-sp,
1 dc in each st to end,
3 dc in last st, turn (14)
Row 3 – 5:
Repeat row 2 (20, 26, 32)
Row 6:
ch 3, 2 dc in 1st st,
1 fpdc in each st to ch-2 space,
(1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) into ch-2 space,
1 fpdc in each st to end,
3 dc in last st, turn (38)
Row 7:
ch 3, 2 dc blo in 1st st,
1 dc blo in each st to ch-2 space,
(1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) into ch-2 space,
1 dc blo in each st to end,
3 dc blo in last st, turn (44)
— Flower friend 1 —
Flower friend 1:
1 sc in next st, ch 4, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, ch 3, sl st in same ch, *ch 3, 1 dc in same ch, ch 3, sl st in same ch* repeat 2 more times, ch 1, sc in same st as where you started
Row 8:
ch 3, 1 dc in first st, ch 2, 1 sc in next st,
*ch 2, skip 2 st, 1 sc in next st* to center ch-2 sp, ch 2,
(1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in center ch-2 sp,
*ch 2, skip 2 st, 1 sc in next st* to end,
ch 2, 2 dc in last st, turn (17 ch-sp)
Row 9:
ch 3, 1 dc in first st, ch 3, skip next dc,
*flower in next sc, ch 6, skip next sc* to center ch-2 sp,
flower in next sc, ch 3, skip next sc,
(flower) in center ch-2 sp,
skip next sc, ch 3, flower in next sc,
*ch 6, skip next sc, flower in next st* to end,
ch 3, skip next dc, 2 dc in last st, turn (9 flowers)
Row 10:
ch 3, 1 dc in first st, ch 3, skip next dc, 1 sc in next ch-sp,
*ch 3, 1 sc in next flower, ch 3, 1 sc in next ch-sp* to center flower, ch 3,
(1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in center-flower,
*ch 3, 1 sc in next ch-sp, ch 3, 1 sc in next flower* to end,
ch 3, 1 sc in next ch-sp, ch 3, skip next dc, 2 dc in last st, turn (21 ch-sp)
Row 11 – 16:
repeat row 9, 10, 9, 10, 9, 10 (11 flowers, 25 ch-sp, 13 flowers, 29 ch-sp, 15 flowers, 33 ch-sp)
If you have any questions, you can join my Facebook Group
— Ribbing —
Row 17:
ch 3, 1 dc in first st, 1 dc in next st,
*2 dc in next ch-sp, 1 dc in next st* to center ch-2 sp,
(1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in center ch-2 sp,
*1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next ch-sp* to end,
1 dc in next st, 2 dc in last st, turn (104)
Row 18 & 19:
repeat row 6 & 7 (110, 116)
Row 20 & 21:
repeat row 2 (122, 128)
Row 22 & 23:
repeat row 6 & 7 (134, 140)
— Flower friend 2 —
Flower friend 2:
1 puff stitch in next dc, ch 1, 1 puff stitch in same dc, ch 1, 1 puff stitch in same dc
Row 24:
ch 3, 1 dc in first st, ch 2, 1 dc in next st,
*ch 2, skip 2 st, 1 sc in next st, ch 2, skip 2 st, 1 dc in next st* to center ch-2 sp, ch 2, skip 2 st,
(1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc) in center ch-2 sp,
*ch 2, skip 2 st, 1 dc in next st, ch 2, skip 2 st, 1 sc in next st* to end,
ch 2, skip 2 st, 1 dc in next st, ch 2, 2 dc in last st, turn (49 ch-sp)
Row 25:
ch 3, 1 dc in first st, ch 2, skip next dc, flower in next dc,
*ch 2, skip next sc, flower in next dc* to center ch-2 sp, ch 2,
(flower) in center ch-2 sp,
ch 2, skip next dc, *flower in next dc, ch 2, skip next sc* to end,
flower in next dc, ch 2, skip next dc, 2 dc in last st, turn (25 flowers)
Row 26:
ch 3, 1 dc in first st, ch 3, 1 dc in next ch-sp,
*ch 3, 1 sc in next flower, ch 3, 1 dc in next ch-sp* to center flower, ch 3,
(1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in center-flower,
*ch 3, 1 dc in next ch-sp, ch 3, 1 sc in next flower* to end,
ch 3, 1 dc in next ch-sp, ch 3, 2 dc in last st, turn (53 ch-sp)
Row 27 – 32:
repeat row 25, 26, 25, 26, 25, 26 (27 flowers, 57 ch-sp, 29 flowers, 61 ch-sp, 31 flowers, 65 ch-sp)
— Ribbing —
Row 33:
repeat row 17 (200)
Row 34 & 35:
repeat row 6 & 7 (206, 212)
Row 36 & 37:
repeat row 2 (218, 224)
Row 38 & 39:
repeat row 6 & 7 (230, 236)
— Flower friend 3 —
Flower friend 3:
1 sc in next ch-sp, ch 3, sl st in 1st ch, 1 sc in same ch-sp
Row 40:
ch 3, 1 dc in first st, ch 2, 1 dc in next st,
*ch 6, skip 5 st, 1 flower in next st* to center ch-2 sp, ch 3, skip 2 st,
(1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in center ch-2 sp,
ch 3, skip 2 st, *1 flower in next st, ch 6, skip 5 st* to end,
1 dc in next st, ch 2, 2 dc in last st, turn (38 flowers)
Row 41:
ch 3, 1 dc in first st, ch 2, skip next dc, sc in next ch-2 sp,
*ch 6, flower in next ch-6 sp* repeat across, ch 6, skip next ch-3 sp,
(flower) in center ch-2 sp,
skip next ch-3 sp, *ch 6, flower in next ch-6 sp* to end,
ch 6, sc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, skip next dc, 2 dc in last st, turn (39 flowers)
Row 42:
ch 3, 1 dc in first st, ch 2, 1 sc in next ch-2 sp,
*ch 6, 1 flower in next ch-sp* to center flower, ch 3,
(1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in center flower,
ch 3, *1 flower in next ch-sp, ch 6* to end,
1 sc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2, 2 dc in last st, turn (40 flowers)
Row 43 – 48:
Repeat row 41, 42, 41, 42, 41, 42 (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 flowers)
— Ribbing —
Row 49:
ch 3, 1 dc in first st, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp,
6 dc in each ch-6 sp across, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, 1 dc in next dc,
(1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in center ch-2 sp,
1 dc in next dc, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, 6 dc in each ch-6 sp across,
2 dc in next ch-2 sp, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in last st, turn (296)
Row 50 & 51:
repeat row 6 & 7 (302, 308)
Row 52 & 53:
repeat row 2 (314, 320)
Row 54 & 55:
repeat row 6 & 7 (326, 332)
Stitch count
The table below shows the rows you should repeat and the amount of stitches you should have at the end of each row for size adult.
Pattern – kids size
You can easily make a smaller version for kids. It’s the same pattern, just less repeats. See overview below.
Tassels
Tassels are great for a final touch. It’s very easy to make them using a tassel maker.
1. Wound yarn around the tassel maker 40 times (kids) or 5o times (adult). Cut two more strands which are about 40 cm / 16″.
2. Add a knotted cord on top
3. Cut the yarn on the bottom (opposite of your knot)
4. Knot a strand around the tassel, about 1 cm from the top knot
5. Trim the bottom
Blocking
If your shawl shape looks a bit off, for example without a straight edge, you can easily fix it with the blocking method. I wrote a blocking tutorial here.
End of pattern.
Hi, thank you so much for your wonderful patterns. They are written so well and work up beautifully.
I appreciate the work that goes into to creating a pattern.
I was wondering if you allow items made from patterns to be sold?
I have a Christmas fair coming up!
Thank you so much for your lovely words. Of course, you can sell your finished work!
Hi Wilma, I’m a beginner in crocheting but I’d love to try this pattern. I have to choose between 100% cotton or 100% acrylic yarn for this project, both are fingering weight. Do you know whether the results will be the same? If not, which one is better in your opinion?
Thanks in advance 🙂
I was so excited to make this but I Accidentally ordered yarn that is superfine (it’s a wrap, red heart)….is it possible to do this pattern with super fine yarn?
Thank you for a beautiful (and free!) Pattern.
Also, thank you for the awareness of your condition.
My friend & I are making thus shawl, an at first found the flower friend part confusing. Might I suggest moving the flower friend info to after row 8? Also, remind us to READ THE PATTERN THROUGH! Lol
Wery nice shawl! and so easy. Thank you for the free pattern and a YouTube tutorial! When I will finish my shawl I will add photos to Ravelry.
I would like to have the pattern for the shawl that is labeled ‘Vela Flower Shawl’ as posted on Pinterest. The pattern on this page is not the same one, nor is the one listed on Ravelry.com.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/674836325399592164/
Have you found the pattern of the cream shawl yet?. I am interested in making it also. The picture and the Vela Flower shawl are different. Thank you
I think the photo in the Pinterest is using the same 3 flower paterns as mentioned in the post, but without the bottom border, so the third flower pattern has also become a border, a very wide border. Because the yarns used in the pics of this post and in the Pintetest are different, the appearances are not the same. This may cause you to think that the patterns are not the same.
Look for the same thing, did you ever find it? Though this one looks lovely too…
Greetings,
Where do I find your step by step video tutorials? I’m having a little bit of a hard time figuring out some of the steps.
I think the photo in the Pinterest is using the same 3 flower paterns as mentioned in the post, but without the bottom border, so the third flower pattern has also become a border, a very wide border. Because the yarns used in the pics of this post and in the Pintetest are different, the appearances are not the same. This may cause you to think that the patterns are not the same.
Hi Wilma. I’ve made several of your shawls successfully and they turned out beautiful. However I’m having trouble figuring out rows 11-16 of the Vela flower shawl. The video doesn’t demonstrate where the flowers should go. Where can I get additional help?
Hi Katherine, so happy to hear you made several of my shawls! ❤ I’ve attached a video tutorial that demonstrates each row, it also shows you where to make the flowers
Somehow on row 9 I ended up with 11 flowers, should I undo and try again or leave as is? Will it effect the look when its finished??
Beautiful. Where did you buy the yarn?
Beautiful shawl! You design such beautiful items! I’m glad you are doing well, and I look forward to more in this series.
Such a Beautiful Gorgeous Shawl!!! You are the one I go to for pretty shawls!! Don’t want to miss anything you do.
Hey Wilma,
Wauw, wat een mooie omslagdoek. De kleuren van het garen vind ik geweldig maar de textuur en het patroon van de sjaal is geweldig. Die verhalen vind ik altijd zo gaaf om te lezen en hoe je dan ieders karakter eigenlijk in een sjaal weet te stoppen vind ik echt heel bijzonder.
Dankjewel voor je mooie patroon.
Lieve groetjes,
Emily