Designing your own shawl pattern is another option to consider for your Friendship Shawl. Select a favorite stitch or consider one of the knit or crochet patterns below. If you have never designed your own pattern before, a rectangular shawl is a great first project because it's like knitting or crocheting a scarf, only it's larger.
Tips for Beginning Designers
- Select a stitch
- Select the yarn you plan to use for the shawl and knit or crochet a gauge swatch at least 4" by 4" or crochet one motif.
- Count the number of stitches across the 4" knitted or crocheted swatch.
- Determine the width of the shawl you would like to make, divide the total inches by 4 and then multiple that number by the number of stitches in your gauge swatch.
Example: If there are 24 stitches in your 4" gauge swatch and you decide that you'd like the width of your shawl to be 16", divide 16 by 4 to come up with 4, then multiple 4 x 24 to get 96. 96 is the number of stitches you would have to cast on. The length of the shawl can be determined as you are stitching.
NOTE ABOUT DESIGNING WITH CROCHET MOTIFS: If you are working with a crochet motif pattern, simply measure the width and determine how many motifs you will have to crochet to achieve the desired width.
Stitch Patterns
Following are 10 stitch pattern ideas-five knit and five crochet-all guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing. If you need help with abbreviations used in these patterns, visit: www.yarnstandards.com/knit.html or www.yarnstandards.com/crochet.html
Special thanks to Sixth & Spring Books for granting permission to reproduce the knit stitch patterns from Vogue Knitting STITCHIONARY, Vol I: Knit & Purl and the crochet patterns from Vogue Knitting STITCHIONARY, Vol 4: Crochet.
Knit Stitch Patterns
Crochet Stitch Patterns
Knit Patterns
Pie Crust Basketweave
Alternating knit and purl stitches created this richly textured pattern. (multiple of 8 sts plus 10)
Rows 1 and 3 (WS) K4, *p2, k6; rep from *, end p2, k4.
Row 2 P4, *k2, p6; rep from *, end k2, p4.
Row 4 Knit.
Rows 5 and 7 K8, *p2, k6; rep from *, end p2, k8.
Row 6 P8, *k2, p6; rep from *, end k2, p8.
Row 8 Knit.
Rep rows 1-8.
Trellis
Wavy stitch lines create interesting surface texture.
(multiple of 8 sts plus 2)
FS (front slip) Wyib sl 1 purlwise, drop sl st off needle to front of work, sl same p st back to LH needle, pick up dropped st and k it, p1.
BS (back slip) Drop sl st off needle to front of work, p1, pick up dropped st and k it.
Preparation row (WS) K1, *k3, p2, k3; rep from *, end k1.
Rows 1 and 3 P1, *p3, k2, p3; rep from *, end p1.
Row 2 and all WS rows K the knit sts and wyif sl the p sts .
Row 5 P1, *p2, FS, BS, p2; rep from *, end p1.
Row 7 P1, *p1, FS, p2, BS, p1; rep from * end p1.
Row 9 P1, *FS, p4, BS; rep from *, end p1.
Rows 11 and 13 P1, *k1, p6, k1; rep from *,
end p1.
Row 15 P1, *BS, p4, FS; rep from *, end p1.
Row 17 P1, *p1, BS, p2, FS, p1; rep from *,
end p1.
Row 19 P1, *p2, BS, FS, p2; rep from *, end p1.
Row 20 Rep row 2.
Rep rows 1-20.
Leaves of Grass
Yarn overs create this delicate openwork chevron pattern. (multiple of 11 sts)
Row 1 (RS) *Yo, ssk, k9; rep from * to end.
Row 2 and all WS rows Purl.
Row 3 *K1, yo, ssk, k8; rep from * to end.
Row 5 *K2, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, yo, k1; rep from * to end.
Row 7 *K3, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 9 *K6, k2tog, yo, k3; rep from * to end.
Row 11 *K5, k2tog, yo, k4; rep from * to end.
Row 12 Purl.
Rep rows 1-12.
Evergreen Lace
Openwork stitches and lots of texture are combined in this challenging stitch pattern. (multiple of 14 sts plus 12)
Sl St (slip stitch)
Sl next st (sts) letting extra yo's fall.
CS (cluster stitch)
Insert RH needle (from behind) underneath the 5 long strands created by the dropped yo, then p1,
k1 into these strands.
Row 1 (RS) K4 tbl, SKP, yo twice, *SKP, k4 tbl, k2, k4 tbl, SKP, yo twice; rep from *, end SKP, k4 tbl.
Row 2 P3, p2tog tbl, yo, *yo, sl st, p2tog tbl, p8, p2tog tbl, yo; rep from *, end yo, sl st, p2tog tbl, p3.
Row 3 K2, SKP, yo twice, *sl sts, SKP, k6, SKP, yo twice; rep from *, end sl sts, SKP, k2.
Row 4 P1, p2tog tbl, yo twice, *sl st, p2tog tbl, p4, p2tog tbl, yo twice; rep from *, end sl st, p2tog tbl, p1.
Row 5 SKP, yo twice, *sl st, SKP, k2, SKP, yo twice; rep from *, end sl st SKP.
Row 6 P1, yo 4 times, *CS, yo 4 times, p4, yo 4 times; rep from *, end CS, yo 4 times, p1.
Row 7 K1, k4 tbl, k2, *k4 tbl, SKP, yo twice, SKP, k4 tbl, k2; rep from *, end k4 tbl, k1.
Row 8 Yo twice, p2tog tbl, p3, *p5, p2tog tbl, yo twice, sl st, p2tog tbl, p3; rep from *, end p5, p2tog tbl, yo twice.
Row 9 Yo twice, sl st, SKP, k4, *k2, SKP, yo twice, sl st, SKP, k4; rep from *, end k2, SKP, yo twice, sl st.
Row 10 Yo twice, sl sts, p2tog tbl, p1, *p3, p2tog tbl, yo twice, sl st, p2tog tbl, p1; rep from *, end p3, p2tog tbl, yo twice, sl st.
Row 11 Yo twice, sl sts, SKP, k2, *SKP, yo twice, sl st, SKP, k2; rep from *, end SKP, yo twice, sl st.
Row 12 CS, yo 4 times, p1, p3,yo 4 times, CS, yon4 times, p1; rep from*, end p3, yo 4 times, CS.
Row 13 SK2P, k3tbl, k2tog, yo twice, SKP, k4 tbl, k2, k4 tbl, k2tog, yo twice; rep from*, end SKP, k3 tbl, sl 1-k2tog-psso.
Rep rows 2-13.
Eternal Flame
Classic and beautiful, this pattern would delight any special friend. (multiple of 8 sts plus 2)
Row 1 (RS) K1* yo, SKP, k6; rep from *, end k1.
Row 2 and all WS rows K1, purl to last st, k1.
Rows 3, 5, 7 and 9 K1, * k1, yo, k2, sl 1-k2tog-psso, k2, yo; rep from *, end k1.
Row 11 K1, *k4, yo, SKP, k2; rep from *, end k1.
Rows 13, 15, 17 and 19 K1, k2tog,*k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, sl 1-k2tog-psso; rep from * to last 7 sts, end k2, [yo, k1] twice, SKP, k1.
Row 20 K1, purl to last st, k1.
Rep rows 1-20.
Crochet Stitch Patterns
Pinwheel Single
Single, double and treble stitches are combined in this airy square motif. 
CL3 (3-st Puff) [YO and draw up a lp, yo and draw through 1 lp on hook] 3 times in same sp, yo and through all 7 lps.
CL4 (4-st Puff) [YO and draw up a lp, yo and draw through 1 lp on hook] 4 times in same sp, yo and through all 9 lps.
(ch 6 and join with sl st in first ch to form ring)
Rnd 1 Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and ch 1), [1 dc, ch 1] 11 times in ring - 12 ch-1 sps. Join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-4.
Rnd 2 Sl st into first ch-1 sp, (ch 3, CL3) in same sp, ch2, *CL4 in next ch-1 sp, (ch 3, 1 tr in dc, ch 3) for corner, [CL4 in ch-1 sp, ch 2] twice; rep from *, end last rep CL 4 in ch-1 sp, ch2. Join with sl st to top of first puff st.
Rnd 3 Ch 1, 1 sc in same place as joining, *ch 2, skip next ch-2 sp, 4 dc in next ch-3 sp, ch2, 1 tr in tr, [ch 3, insert hook down through top of last tr and sl st] - (Picot), ch 2, 4 dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 2, skip next ch-2 sp, 1 sc in CL4; rep from *, end last rep 4 dc in last ch-3 sp, ch 2, skip last ch-2 sp. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Daisy Puff
Multiples of this circular motif can be joined to make a charming shawl. (ch 6 and join with sl st in first ch to form ring)
Rnd 1 Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 2), [1 dc, ch 2] 7 times in ring - 8 ch-2 sps. Join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-5.
Rnd 2 Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), [4 dc in next ch-2 sp, 1 dc in dc] 7 times, 4 dc in last ch-2 sp. Join with sl st in top of beg ch-3.
Rnd 3 Sl st in next dc, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), *1sc in next 2 dc, 1 dc in dc, ch 5**, skip 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc; rep from *6 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. Fasten off.
Shell Pattern
Classic shell stitches create a feminine, openwork pattern.
Shell (2dc, ch1, 2 dc)
(ch a multiple of 4 sts)
Row 1 shell in 4th ch from hook, *skip 3 ch, shell in next ch; rep from * to end. Turn.
Row 2 Ch 3, *shell in ch-1 sp of next shell; rep from * to end. Turn
Rep row 2.
We Are Three
Here's a stitch pattern that can be made in multiples and then stitched together to make a shawl, or used as a border for a plain crocheted shawl. 
Note Pattern is worked first on one side of foundation ch, then repeated on opposite side of foundation ch to complete floral strip.
Cl (3-tr Bobble) [Yo twice and draw up a lp, (yo and draw through 2 lps on hook) twice] 3 times in same ch or bottom lp, yo and draw through all 4 lps on hook.
(ch a multiple of 8 sts + 5)
First side
Row 1 1dc in 4th ch from hook, *skip 3 ch, [(CL, ch3) twice, CL] in next ch, skip 3 ch, 1 dc in next ch; rep from * end 1 dc in last ch. Turn
Row 2 Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), skip the first dc, 1 dc in next dc, *ch 3, 1 sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, 1 dc in next ch-3 sp, 1 dc in dc; rep from * end 1 dc in top of t-ch. Fasten off
Second Side
Turn to bottom lps of foundation ch on opposite side. Join yarn in first lp.
Row 1 Ch 3, 1 dc in next bottom lp, *skips 3 lps, [(CL, ch 3) twice, CL] in next lp, skip 3 lps, 1 dc in next lp; rep from * end 1 dc in last lp. Turn
Row 2 Rep row 2 as for first side.
Network
Double crochet stitches form openwork boxes for an airy, delicate effect. 
(ch a multiple of 8 + 5 sts)
Row 1 Work 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch, *skip 2 ch, 5 dc in next ch, skip 2 ch, 1 dc in next 3 ch; rep from * to end. Turn.
Row 2 Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc throughout), skip first dc, 1 dc in next 2 dc, *skip 2 dc, 5 dc in next st, skip 2 dc, 1 dc in next 3 dc; rep from *, end last rep 1 dc in next 2 dc, 1 dc in top of t-ch. Turn.
Row 3 Ch 3, skip first dc, 1 dc in next 2 sts, *2 dc in sp between 3 dc and 5-dc group, ch 3, 2 dc in sp between 5-dc group and 3 dc, 1 dc in next 3 sts; rep from * to end. Turn.
Row 4 Ch 3, skip first dc, 1 dc in next 2 dc, *skip 2 dc, 5 dc in ch-3 sp, skip 2 dc, 1 dc in next 3 dc; rep from *, end last rep 1 dc in next 2 dc, 1 dc in top of t-ch. Turn.
Rep rows 3 and 4