Does a triangle shawl actually have to belong to a particular season?

With KALEA, you might think the answer is pretty obvious if you only look at my original version.

At around 180 × 100 cm, with its slightly heavier yarn and rich colours, it’s definitely a shawl for cooler days. It’s large enough to wrap generously around your neck, drape over your shoulders, or really snuggle into on a cold winter’s day.

But then there’s the lace pattern.

And suddenly, the whole winter thing isn’t quite so clear-cut anymore.

Because what would happen if we crocheted exactly the same shawl not in a warm winter yarn, but in cotton, a lightweight blend or a summery gradient yarn?

The winter shawl would become a summer shawl.

Same pattern. Same stitch pattern. Completely different effect.

That’s exactly what I want to show you with KALEA today – and of course, you’ll also get the complete crochet pattern for free.

Wintery – because the yarn says so

With my KALEA, the yarn plays a pretty big part in the overall look.

The changing shades of blue, green, brown and ochre flow naturally through the stitch pattern. Of course, the colour changes don’t follow individual pattern sections or rows – they simply happen wherever the yarn decides it’s time for the next colour.

That makes every shawl a little unpredictable – and that’s exactly what makes it interesting.

Then there’s the yarn weight. Despite the openwork pattern, it gives the shawl enough substance to actually keep you warm.

With a finer, summery yarn, that balance would be completely different.

The open spaces in the lace pattern would become more prominent, the shawl would drape more lightly, and the large, cosy winter shawl could turn into an airy accessory for spring or summer.

You wouldn’t have to change anything about the stitch pattern.

Sometimes, a different yarn really is all it takes to give a pattern a completely different season.

Incidentally, this is also a good example of why I don’t choose yarn based solely on the recommended hook size or yardage. Fibre, yarn construction, weight and drape have just as much influence on what a project eventually becomes.

KALEA grows from the tip upwards

KALEA starts at the bottom tip and grows upwards and outwards, row by row.

If you know my free pattern for SALVIA, you’ll already be familiar with this construction. In that post, I also explained in more detail the different ways a triangle shawl can be constructed and how the direction of work affects both the stitch pattern and the colour gradient.

#FreeStitches: SALVIA Triangle Shawl – Free Crochet Pattern & Two Ways to Create a Triangle

For KALEA, all we need today is the basic principle: We start right at the bottom and let our triangle grow with every row.

The pattern simply grows with it

And as the triangle grows, the pattern that gives KALEA its distinctive look gradually develops too.

When you look at the finished shawl, it may seem fairly intricate at first. But after the first four rows, all you actually need is a four-row pattern repeat.

Rows 5 to 8 are repeated throughout, expanding accordingly as you work.

With every repeat, another pattern section is added. The triangle gets wider, the pattern grows with it – but the basic principle always stays the same.

That’s exactly why I recommend using the crochet chart alongside the written instructions for KALEA. It makes it very easy to see how the pattern develops from the tip and how the additional pattern sections are formed.

And with that, we’re ready to get started.

Free Crochet Pattern for KALEA

You will need

For my original version, I used Lang Yarns ROSALBA in colour 994.0003.

Yarn required: approx. 200 g / approx. 600 m (656 yds)
Crochet hook: 5.50 mm (UK 5 / US I-9)
Size: approx. 180 × 100 cm (71 × 39 in)

You will also need a yarn needle for weaving in the ends and a pair of scissors.

A note about the yarn

The original yarn dates back to 2018. Of course, you don’t need to use exactly the same yarn for KALEA.

If you would like to crochet a similarly large and cosy winter shawl, choose a comparable yarn weight and use the stated tension as a guide.

For a lighter version, you can just as easily try KALEA in a summery yarn.

Just keep in mind that changing the yarn weight, yardage or hook size will also affect the size, drape and amount of yarn required for your shawl.

Tension

In pattern:

16 sts = 10 cm (4 in) wide
8 rows = 10 cm (4 in) high

With a triangle shawl, tension is of course a little less unforgiving than it is with a jumper. 😄 After all, nobody has to fit inside it if your shawl ends up a few centimetres larger or smaller.

It will still affect the final size and, of course, the amount of yarn you need.

Abbreviations

To help you find your way around the written instructions and crochet chart, here are the abbreviations used throughout the pattern:

This pattern is written using UK crochet terminology. The corresponding US terms are shown in brackets in the abbreviation list below. Throughout the written instructions, UK terms are used.

ch – chain
tr (US dc) – treble crochet (US double crochet)
dc (US sc) – double crochet (US single crochet)
t-ch – turning chain
st – stitch
row – row

Let’s start crocheting

KALEA is worked in rows from the bottom tip upwards.

The first four rows are worked once. The main pattern repeat then begins with Rows 5 to 8.

Foundation

Make 1 ch.

Row 1

Make 3 t-ch to count as the first tr.

Then work 1 ch and 1 tr into the foundation ch.

Turn your work.

Row 2

Make 3 t-ch to count as the first tr.

Then work 2 tr around the ch from the previous row and 1 tr into the last st.

Turn your work.

Row 3

Make 3 t-ch to count as the first tr, then work 1 more tr into the first tr of the previous row.

Then work 2 tr into each remaining tr (including the t-ch) of the previous row.

Turn your work.

Row 4

Make 3 t-ch to count as the first tr, then work 1 more tr into the first tr of the previous row.

Then work 2 tr into each remaining tr (including the t-ch) of the previous row.

Turn your work.

Row 5

Make 3 t-ch to count as the first tr, then work 1 ch and 1 tr into the first tr of the previous row.

Now make 2 ch, skip the next 4 sts and work 3 dc.

Make 2 ch again, then work 3 dc, followed by another 2 ch.

Skip the next 4 sts.

Into the t-ch of the previous row, work 1 tr, 1 ch and 1 tr.

Turn your work.

Row 6

Make 3 t-ch to count as the first tr.

Work 2 tr around the ch from the previous row, then 1 tr into the first tr of the previous row.

Make 3 ch.

Skip the 2-ch space and then 1 st. Work 4 dc.

Make 3 ch again.

Skip 1 st and then the 2-ch space.

Work 1 tr, then 2 tr around the ch from the previous row, and finish with 1 tr into the last st (the t-ch of the previous row).

Turn your work.

Row 7

Make 3 t-ch to count as the first tr, then work 1 more tr into the first tr of the previous row.

Now work 2 tr into each of the next 3 tr.

Make 3 ch.

Skip the 3-ch space and then 1 st. Work 2 dc.

Make 3 ch again.

Skip 1 st and then the 3-ch space.

To finish, work 2 tr into each of the next 4 tr (including the t-ch of the previous row).

Turn your work.

Row 8

Make 3 t-ch to count as the first tr, then work 1 more tr into the first tr of the previous row.

Now work 2 tr into each of the next 7 tr.

Make 1 ch.

Skip the 3-ch space, the 2 dc and the next 3-ch space.

Then work 2 tr into each of the next 8 tr (including the t-ch of the previous row).

Turn your work.

The crochet chart

If you prefer working from a crochet chart – or simply want to check along the way that your pattern is developing correctly – you can also use the chart below as a guide.

Especially from the first repeat onwards, it clearly shows how KALEA expands outwards and how the individual pattern sections develop next to one another.

How to continue

Rows 1-4 are worked only once.

Then continue repeating the pattern repeat of Rows 5-8, expanding the pattern according to the crochet chart.

With each repeat, another pattern section is added and KALEA continues to grow wider.

For my original version, I worked a total of 71 rows and finished with Row 7.

You can then work one row of double crochet along the finishing edge. This row is optional.

And of course, 71 rows are not a must either.

If you would like a smaller shawl, simply stop earlier. If you would like KALEA to be larger, just continue working the pattern.

Especially if you are using a different yarn, I would recommend using your desired finished size as a guide rather than following the exact number of rows.

Finishing

Once KALEA has reached your desired size, carefully weave in all ends.

Then block the shawl.

With this particular stitch pattern, I wouldn’t skip this final step. Blocking allows the individual lace sections to open up properly and gives the shawl its final shape.

And what would your KALEA look like?

That’s actually the question I find almost more interesting about this older design today than I did back then.

Because my KALEA shows just one possibility.

With its multicoloured yarn, generous size and slightly heavier weight, it’s a shawl for the cooler months. One you can wrap generously around your neck, drape over your shoulders or really snuggle into when it gets cold.

But the very same stitch pattern can look completely different.

Worked in a single colour, the lace pattern would take centre stage. A soft gradient would create a completely different effect again. And worked in a lightweight summer yarn, the very same KALEA suddenly becomes an airy shawl for warmer days.

Perhaps you’d even like to take your triangle shawl a step further.

For another of my free triangle shawls, for example, I decorated the finished basic shawl with crocheted flowers and leaves. In that design, the yarn isn’t the only decorative element – the appliqués are what transform a relatively simple triangle into the finished piece.

#FreeStitches: Crochet Triangle Shawl – Free Pattern with Flower Appliqués & the Story Behind It

And that’s probably why I still enjoy triangle shawls so much after all these years.

The basic shape couldn’t be simpler.

What we make of it doesn’t have to be.

Large or small, winter or summer, plain or colourful – perhaps your KALEA will end up looking completely different from mine.

And that’s exactly how it should be.

🧶 Now it’s your turn!
Think about what kind of KALEA you’d like to crochet: a large, cosy shawl for autumn and winter, or a lightweight version for spring and summer. Plain, gradient or wonderfully colourful – anything goes, as long as you love it.

📸 I’d love to see your finished KALEAs here on CrazyPatterns.
I’m really looking forward to seeing how different the stitch pattern looks with your choice of yarns and colours – because one thing is certain: No two KALEAs will ever be exactly alike.

✨ And if you enjoy my posts, I’d be delighted if you followed me here on CrazyPatterns. That way, you won’t miss any new #FreeStitches posts with free knitting and crochet patterns.

🧡 Perhaps you'll also enjoy exploring more articles on my CrazyPatterns blog - or maybe you'll discover your next favourite pattern in my shop.

And when you wrap yourself in your finished KALEA on the first really cold days of the year, every single row will have been worth it.

All the best,
Kathrin with Emma & Muki

Photos, designs & content © Kathrin | stricken-im-trend.com