Vibrant Virginia Shawl
The Vibrant Virginia Shawl is a beautiful shawl worked from one side to the other. The basis of this shawl is made with single crochet stitches with increases and decreases on one side. It has a beautiful leaf border on the bottom of the shawl inspired by Virginia’s love for nature. This shawl is part of my special series of patterns dedicated to extended family (people with the same rare tumor as I).
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!

Maybe you also like: Ana Lucia Shawl
About Virginia
This shawl is dedicated to Virginia (33) from Germany. Virginia and I were born with the same rare condition. We met on Instagram 2 months ago because the algorithm showed Virginia my picture (thanks, Instagram!). She didn’t have a diagnosis yet, but immediately knew it was FIL when she saw my picture with Jaycee. We talked on Facebook for a while and discussed all the rare similarities we have. Only 2 months after her Instagram message I got to meet her in Germany. Of course I gave her the Vibrant Virginia Shawl dedicated to her.
Wilma (left) and Virginia (right) wearing the Vibrant Virginia Shawl

Maybe you also like: Jaycee Butterfly Shawl
About the design
The shawl is inspired by Virginia’s love for nature. Virginia is an author, editor for sustainability & biodiversity and nature lover. I decided to keep the shawl simple with a somewhat rounded shape and a beautiful leaf border on the bottom.
I’ve used an earth tone to keep the design calm. This color looks so good with Virginia’s red hair! It can be wrapped around the shoulders like a shawl or worn upfront like a scarf.

Maybe you also like: This Is Me Shawl
About the pattern
For this shawl you can use any yarn; I’ve used LionBrand’s Coboo (DK weight) but you can also use fingering weight. The basis of the shawl is completely made with single crochet stitches. It’s worked from side to side with increases and decreases on the same side to create a beautiful rounded shape.
After that, we work a row of single crochet stitches along the bottom. Finally we make a beautiful leaf border which might look challenging, but is very fun to work on. Below you can find a video tutorial which shows you how to make this shawl step by step.

Maybe you also like: Vela Flower Shawl
About me
Hi! I’m Wilma. I’m a crochet designer from Holland.
With my Story Shawls I’m sharing my personal story one stitch at a time.
> Read more about me
> Read more about my story shawls
About my Story Shawls
I was born with a benign tumor on my face. For over 22 years, doctors were unable to diagnose it. In 2017, I did a second opinion (though honestly, it was more like the 10th opinion) and was finally diagnosed with an ultra-rare condition that affects only a handful of people worldwide.
Since then, I have been actively searching for others with this condition, and I have already found 100 people from all over the world. It has become my life goal to find and meet them.
Many of my upcoming patterns are special shawl designs inspired by my “extended family” as I like to call them.

Story Shawl Collection
I’m working on a shawl collection dedicated to my ‘extended family‘.
I released my first shawl in 2018, and I plan to continue creating them as long as I keep finding new people with the same rare condition as me.
All patterns are available for free including video tutorials.
STORY SHAWL COLLECTION
If you don’t see the video, turn off your ad-blocker.
Vibrant Virginia Shawl
free crochet pattern
Materials
– Lion Brand Coboo (Weight 3/light, 232yds/3.5oz, 212m/100g)
4 balls in color tan [835-123]
or 315 grams
– Crochet hook 6 mm (US J/10)
– Crochet hook 5 mm (US H/8) for the border
Finished size
Height: 17” / 43 cm
Width: 88” / 224 cm
Gauge
With hook size 6mm:
14 sc x 17 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4″ square
Stitches & abbreviations
– sl st: slip stitch
– ch: chain
– sc: single crochet
– sc2tog: single crochet 2 together (decrease)
– dc: double crochet
– dc2tog: double crochet 2 together (decrease)
– dc3tog: double crochet 3 together (decrease)
Notes
– This pattern is written in US terminology
– This shawl is worked from one side to the other with increases and decreases on one side. Lastly we will make the border
– Turn your work at the end of each row
– Turning chains does not count as a stitch
– It is helpful to place a stitch marker on the increase side, so you can easily see when you need to make increases
– Block your finished shawl
Video
Below you can find a video tutorial of the Vibrant Virginia Shawl. If you do not see the video, turn off your ad-blocker.
* Click here to watch the video on YouTube
Pattern
** An ad-free PDF version is available on Etsy and Ravelry.
It’s designed for printing and this way you can support me **
With hook size 6mm: ch 2, turn
Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 1, turn (1)
Row 2: 2 sc in sc, ch 1, turn (2)
Row 3: 1 sc in each sc, ch 1, turn (2)
Row 4: 1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in last sc, ch 1, turn (3) Place a marker in last sc
Row 5: 1 sc in each sc, ch 1, turn (3)
Row 6: 1 sc in each sc across, 2 sc in last sc, ch 1, turn (4)
Row 7 – 98: repeat row 5 & 6 (50)
creating that smooth curve
Row 99 – 101: 1 sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn (50)
Row 102: 1 sc in each sc across, 2 sc in last sc, ch 1, turn (51)
Row 103 – 105: 1 sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn (51)
Row 106: 1 sc in each sc across, 2 sc in last sc, ch 1, turn (52)
45 rows straight
Row 107 – 151 (45 rows): 1 sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn (52)
time for that smooth curve again
Row 152: 1 sc in each sc across until last 2 sc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (51)
Row 153 – 155: 1 sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn (51)
Row 156: 1 sc in each sc across until last 2 sc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (50)
Row 157 – 159: 1 sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn (50)
If you have any questions, you can join my Facebook Group
decrease till end
Row 160: 1 sc in each sc across until last 2 sc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (49)
Row 161: 1 sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn (49)
Row 162 – 255: repeat row 160 & 161 (2)
end of shawl
Row 256: sc2tog, ch 1, turn (1)
Row 257: 1 sc, ch 1, turn (1)
Do not fasten off, we will continue with the border.

Border
Continue on the bottom of the shawl. Work 1 sc in each row until the the end, and 2 sc in the last row. Make sure you have 258 stitches before you continue with the border.
Reminder: you can find my video tutorial here.

Change to crochet hook size 5mm.
Row 1: ch 9, 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, ch 2, skip 2 ch, 3 dc in next ch, ch 2, skip 2 ch, skip 1st sc, sl st in next 3 sc, turn
Row 2: ch 2, 2 dc in 1st dc, 1 dc in 2nd dc, 2 dc in 3rd dc, ch 2, 1 dc in last dc, ch 3, turn
Row 3: 1 dc in dc, ch 2, 2 dc in 1st dc, 1 dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in last dc, ch 2, skip next sc, sl st in next 3 sc, turn
Row 4: ch 2, 2 dc in 1st dc, 1 dc in next 5 dc, 2 dc in last dc, ch 2, 1 dc in last dc, ch 3, turn
Row 5: 1 dc in dc, ch 2, 1 dc in next 9 dc, ch 2, skip next sc, sl st in next 3 sc, turn
Row 1 – 5

Row 6: ch 2, dc2tog, 1 dc in next 5 dc, dc2tog, ch 2, 1 dc in last dc, ch 3, turn
Row 7: 1 dc in dc, ch 2, 3 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc2tog, 1 dc in next 3 dc, dc2tog, ch 2, skip next sc, sl st in next 3 sc, turn
Row 8: ch 2, dc2tog, 1 dc in next dc, dc2tog, ch 2, 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, ch 2, 1 dc in last dc, ch 3, turn
Row 9: 1 dc in dc, ch 2, 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc, ch 2, dc3tog, ch 2, skip next sc, sl st in next 3 sc, turn
Row 10: ch 2, skip dc3tog, 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in next 5 dc, 2 dc in next dc, ch 2, 1 dc in last dc, ch 3, turn
Repeat row 5 – 10 for a total of 20 times. Repeat one more time, but dont’t start a new leaf in the last 3 rows (see video here).
Row 6 – 11

Blocking
When your shawl is done, make sure to block it. Especially for the lace border this will make a huge difference. I wrote a blocking tutorial here.
End of pattern.

Hoi,
Superleuk patroon,
Maar nu zit ik met het volgende, ik zit bij toer 95 al op 50 steken….
Ik heb geen idee hoe het komt. Wat doe ik nu, gewoon doorgaan of extra toeren erbij maken om aan het aantal toeren te komen?
Thank you for the beautiful design.
Laura
Hello, I am a big fan of your lovely work, I want to know if I want to make this shawl longer , how many rows could I add in the middle part without messing with the border ,as I am working with a thin yarn and my stitches are a little bit tight
beautiful ,stunning work. I never though i could do anything i like but using your step by by i finished Ana Lucia Shawl while on a cruise from Australia to Hawaii after my breast cancer treatment. Now i want to do vela flower with the dark purple. What is the yarn called as it stunning
Beautiful. I have several of your pattern but seems I have no time to make them.
Love this shawl! I’m going to put this pattern in my stash to make. I love wearingi shawls!
This is beautiful I cant wait to make for my daughter who is 27 she will love it.
Thank you
Hello,this is a beautiful pattern and looks gorgeous on you and Virginia. I have a question,its kind of dumb,but I crochet tight,would you bump up a hook size or leave as written?thank you very much.
I have the opposite problem… I crochet very loose. That is why now I always do the gauge swatch at the beginning of patterns. I usually end up going down about two needles after I do the swatches. When I used to not do the gauge swatch I ended up with projects looking much different and using more yarn than the patterns. Doing the gauge test is important.
You are so very generous! I LOVE this shawl! Thank you for sharing your story.
I need help.
How can I achieve 88 inches with 258 rows if the gauge is 17 rows to 4 inches. Mine only measures 60 inches.
Thanks!!
Hi Wilma, This shawl is so beautiful! Just wondering if you can give me some tips for making it a little less wide. I’m very short so the wingspan will be way too long for me.
Beautiful work you do. You’ve inspired me with much more desire than I have time but I’m still going to try. Could you tell me what kind of yarn you used in the picture of you and Virginia together for the Virginia shawl?
I have to opposite problem… I crochet very loose. That is why now I always do the gauge swatch at the beginning of patterns. I usually end up going down about two needles after I do the swatches. When I used to not do the gauge swatch I ended up with projects looking much different and using more yarn than the patterns. Doing the gauge test is important.
Oops, sorry for reply. Wrong person.