Stepped Tunisian Shawl

Here is my Stepped Tunisian shawl pattern – and my first self-published pattern – available for FREE below, or as an inexpensive, printable pdf from Etsy, Ravelry or Lovecrafts in UK or US terms. The pattern has been tested and perfected until it’s just right so I really hope you like it!

The pattern below is written in UK terms and designed with beginners to Tunisian crochet in mind, so if you haven’t tried Tunisian crochet before why not give it a go? Click here for my guide on how to get started with Tunisian crochet!

The Stepped Tunisian Shawl is a symmetrical shawl and is created by using only two Tunisian crochet stitches to create the beautiful distinctive stepped triangular edges. It was also designed with multi-coloured self-striping yarn in mind to ensure seamless colour changes, without all those pesky ends to sew in! You can of course use any DK yarn you like though, and it would also make a great stash busting project too!

The shawl looks good without the final edging but once added I think it finishes the shawl off nicely. The result is a modern stylish shawl which provides a bit more warmth in the cooler months!

YOU WILL NEED:

  • 1 x 100g ball of Hayfield Spirit DK     OR      approx. 130g of any DK weight yarn
  • 6mm interchangeable Tunisian crochet hook (or long handled hook)
  • 4mm standard crochet hook
  • Tapestry needle

DIMENSIONS:

  • Approximately 195cm long and 30cm wide when using DK yarn

GAUGE:

Gauge is not critical but work as follows if you wish to make the shawl to the measurements above:       8 sts x 4 rows = 5cm x 5cm over Tdc (unblocked).

STITCHES AND ABBREVIATIONS (UK TERMS):

  • BO – Bind off – finish on a FP by inserting hook in 2nd vertical bar, and ss. Continue to the end.
  • Ch – Chain
  • Dec – Decrease
  • FP – Forward Pass
  • Inc – Increase
  • Ss – Slip stitch
  • RP – Return Pass – 1 ch, (Yrh, pull through 2 loops) to end.
  • Tss – Tunisian Simple Stitch – insert hook under the next vertical bar, yrh and pull up a loop
  • Tdc – Tunisian Double Crochet – *Yrh, insert hook under the next vertical bar, yrh and pull up a loop, yrh and pull through 2 loops.
  • Yrh – Yarn round hook

PATTERN NOTES:

  • Remember to keep your tension even and focus on the placement of the first and last stitches to keep your work straight:
    • The first stitch worked is the second vertical strand of yarn from the row below (first stitch is already on the hook)
    • Place the last stitch through both the front and back vertical strands of the outside edge of the work from the row below.
  • Increases are always worked on rows of Tss. The increases in Row 1 and Row 2 are worked by pulling up an extra loop between the 2nd and 3rd vertical bars. An extra chain is added to the multiple increase in row 5 which gives a more pronounced corner. Work in the 3rd back bump from the hook for these (instead of the 2nd). Remember to work the 1st vertical bar on the row below when working Tss after the multiple increase.
  • Decreases are always worked on rows of Tss. The decreases in Row 138 and Row 139 are worked by working the 2nd and 3rd vertical bars together. An extra chain is added before the multiple decrease (3 ss) for a more pronounced corner.
  • Blocking is recommended as it accentuates the steps and gives the shawl a more defined look. Block as recommended for the yarn you are using.

THE PATTERN:

INCREASE SECTION

Using your 6mm Tunisian hook, ch 3.

Foundation Row – Insert hook in back bump of 2nd chain from hook, yrh, pull up a loop, repeat for last stitch. (3 loops) RP.

Row 1 – Tss in the 2nd vertical bar. Inc, Tss in last stitch. (4) RP

Row 2 – Tss in the 2nd vertical bar. Inc, Tss to end. (5) RP

Row 3 – 1 ch, Tdc in the 2nd vertical bar, Tdc to end. (5) RP

Row 4 – 1 ch, Tdc in the 2nd vertical bar, Tdc to end. (5) RP

Row 5 Increase

Row 5 – 4 ch, insert hook in 3rd back bump from hook, yrh and pull up a loop, (insert hook in next back bump, yrh, pull up a look) twice. Tss to end placing the first Tss in the 1st vertical bar. (8) RP

Row 6 – 1 ch, Tdc to end. (8) RP

Row 7 – 1 ch, Tdc to end. (8) RP

Row 8 – 1 ch, Tdc to end. (8) RP

Row 9 – 1 ch, Tdc to end. (8) RP

Rows 10-19 – repeat rows 5-9 two more times, increasing by 3 stitches every 5 rows. (14)

Rows 20–67 – repeat rows 5-8 eleven more times, increasing by 3 stitches every 4 rows. (50)

*Weigh the yarn ball here to check you have enough yarn left to finish the shawl. Adjust the length of the shawl if necessary.

Rows 68-70 – repeat rows 5-7. (53)

DECREASE SECTION

Slip stitch decrease

Row 71 – 1 ch, 3 ss, Tss to end. (50) RP

Row 72 – 1 ch, Tdc to end. (50) RP

Row 73 – 1 ch, Tdc to end. (50) RP

Row 74 – 1 ch, Tdc to end. (50) RP

Rows 75-118 – repeat rows 71-74 eleven more times, decreasing by 3 stitches every 4 rows. (17)

Row 119 – 1 ch, 3 ss, Tss to end. (14) RP

Row 120 – 1 ch 1, Tdc to end. (14) RP

Row 121 – 1 ch, Tdc to end. (14) RP

Row 122 – 1 ch, Tdc to end. (14) RP

Row 123 – 1 ch, Tdc to end. (14) RP

Rows 124-133 – repeat rows 119-123 two more times, decreasing by 3 stitches every 5 rows. (8)

Row 134-136 – repeat rows 119-121. (5)

Row 137 – Tss to end. (5) RP

Row 138 – Dec. Tss in last 2 stitches. (4) RP

Row 139 – Dec. Tss in last stitch. (3) BO and sew in ends if you don’t want to edge your shawl, otherwise proceed to Edging.

EDGING:

Change to your 4mm crochet hook (or the recommended hook size for your yarn) and continue on from Row 139:

  1. 1 ch, dc in each top loop of row 139.
  2. Turn work 90 degrees. 1 ch, dc in the side of each stitch evenly along the straight edge, ensuring you work under the two horizontal bars of each stitch.
  3. When you get to the other end of the shawl, 1 ch and work 3 dc along the top edge and last stitch.
  4. Turn work 90 degrees. 1 ch, dc in the side of each stitch along the stepped edge, ensuring you work into each inner corner and along the steps evenly. Work a (dc, 1 ch, dc) into each outer corner stitch to help accentuate the step.
  5. Continue the same process for the decrease section.
  6. Ss to the first dc of row 139 to end off.
  7. Fasten off and weave in ends. Block as necessary.

And there you have it! I do hope you enjoyed this free Tunisian crochet pattern and get lots of use out of your beautiful new shawl!

Don’t forget to share your makes with me on Instagram using the hashtag #steppedtunisianshawl and #feetupandcrochet – I would love to see!

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Copyright: – Pattern belongs to Katherine Lee and is for personal use only. It must not be reproduced or resold. You may sell items made using this pattern as long as you credit me as the designer. ©Feetupandcrochet 2020