by Quick summary (what you’ll make)
A boho triangle shawl made from 3 identical large mandala motifs, joined into a triangle and finished with a wide scalloped/lace border. Finished size (example): ~160 cm wingspan × 75–85 cm depth — easily adjustable by yarn/hook.
Materials (suggested)
- Fingering / sport / DK yarn depending on how drapey you want the shawl:
- Light, drapey boho: fingering or light sport with 1–2 skeins per motif (approx. 400–600 yds total).
- Classic drape: DK, 3–4 skeins total.
- Hook: for fingering use 3.5 mm; for DK use 4.0–4.5 mm (adjust to your gauge and desired drape).
- Tapestry needle, blocking pins/mat, scissors.
- Optional: stitch markers and small beads if you want sparkle (not required).
Notes & abbreviations (US terms)
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- dc = double crochet
- tr = treble (UK: tr ≡ US tr)
- sp = space
- st = stitch
- rep = repeat
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- = repeat between asterisks
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Pattern is written to be friendly for intermediate crocheters; you can simplify by substituting shells for fans or skipping decorative picots.
Design & construction overview
- Make 3 identical large mandala/medallion motifs (each worked in rounds and blocked to a large circle/hexagon).
- Arrange the motifs in a triangle (2 at top, 1 centered beneath) and join-as-you-go (JAYG) or sew them together.
- Pick up stitches around the outside and work several rounds of shells/arches to create a dramatic boho border. Optionally add long tassels or fringe.
Motif — Large Mandala (one motif)
This mandala is intentionally modular — it grows outward, with rounds that create petals, arches, and a scalloped edge. I give explicit stitches so you can follow easily. Make 3 identical motifs.
Make tension a little loose so motif lies flat and border is airy. Block each motif before joining.
Round 1 — center
- Make a magic ring.
- ch 3 (counts as dc), work 11 dc into ring — 12 dc total.
- Pull ring tight and join with sl st to top of ch-3.
Round 2 — chain anchors
- ch 1, sc in next dc, ch 3 — repeat around (12 sc + 12 ch-3 loops). Join with sl st to first sc.
- These ch-3 loops anchor the first petal row.
Round 3 — small petals
- Sl st into first ch-3 loop.
- In each ch-3 loop work: (sc, ch1, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, ch1, sc) — tapered petal/fan.
- Repeat into all loops (12 petals). Join with sl st.
Round 4 — connecting arches
- ch 1, sc in outer sc of petal, ch 5 — repeat to make 12 ch-5 arches. Join.
Round 5 — larger petals (pineapple-ish)
- In each ch-5 arch work: (sc, ch1, hdc, 5 dc, hdc, ch1, sc) — larger fan/petal.
- Between big fans alternate small connectors: after big fan, ch 3 then small sc in next anchor, etc., so the motif breathes.
- Join.
Round 6 — tall chain loops
- ch 1, sc in first sc, ch 7, sc in next sc — repeat across to create 12 ch-7 loops. Join.
Round 7 — upper fans (tops of the petals)
- In each ch-7 loop work: (sc, ch2, 3 dc, ch2, sc) — creates narrow fan-tips. Join.
Round 8 — shape toward polygon (grouping)
- ch 3 (counts dc), 3 dc in next space; 3 dc in next space; into the third space work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) to create a corner.
- Repeat the [3dc, 3dc, corner] sequence 4 times to convert 12 petal tops into 4 sides (makes a square/hexish edge that joins neatly). Join.
Round 9 — tidy round / join round
- ch 1, sc evenly around, work 3 sc in each corner ch-3 to round them. Join and fasten off.
- Optional final decorative round: skip 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc (shell), skip 2 sc, sc in next sc — repeat for classic scallops. Fasten off.
Block motif to final shape & size. Aim for motifs ~45–55 cm across for a large shawl; smaller for lighter shawls; change hook/yarn accordingly.
Make 3 motifs
- Repeat above to make 3 motifs. Block each one flat and pin to exact same diameter so joins will be neat.
Layout & joining
Arrange motifs like this:
[ M1 ] [ M2 ]
[ M3 ]
M1 and M2 are side-by-side at the top; M3 is centered beneath and touches both along their lower edges — the three together form a triangle shawl with a wide top edge (wingspan).
Join options
- Join-as-you-go (JAYG) while working Round 9 on the new motif: when working Round 9 of motif M3 you join into the already-finished M1 and M2 by replacing some sc with
sl st into corresponding scon the neighbor, following your planned contact points. This produces neat seamless joins. - Sewing after blocking: pin motifs in layout, whipstitch or mattress stitch along the contact edges through back loops only for a flat seam.
Practical join seam (hand-sew simple)
- Lay motifs RS up arranged as above and pin edges together where they will touch (~a 1/3 arc on each top motif).
- Use yarn and tapestry needle: mattress stitch through back loops only along the touching stitches, taking small even stitches so seam lies flat.
- Secure and weave in ends.
Add boho border (wide) — pick up and work outwards
With motifs joined and blocked, pick up yarn at one outer corner and work several rounds to create the boho border.
Border round 1 — pick up & sc even
- Join yarn at any outer corner. Work 1 sc in each sc/space around, placing 3 sc in corner ch-3 spaces. Join.
Border round 2 — shell row
- ch 3 (counts dc), skip 2 sc, 7 dc in next sc (large shell), skip 2 sc, sc in next sc — repeat around. This makes big semicircular shells ideal for boho scallops. In corners center a shell.
Border round 3 — arch row
- ch 1, sc in first dc, ch 6, sc in center of next shell — repeat around. This forms large chain arches for the next decorative round.
Border round 4 — long scallops
- Into each ch-6 arch work: (sc, ch 3, 9 dc, ch 3, sc) — huge bold scallop. These give the boho “big-lace” look. Join.
Border round 5 — picot trim (optional)
- sc in each sc, and in the top of the big scallop work sc, ch 3, sl st in top of ch-3 to make picot points spaced across the shell tops. Fasten off, weave in ends.
Optional finishing: tassels or fringe
- Add long tassels at each point of the scallops or at the two top corners and central bottom to accent the boho vibe. Make tassels 10–20 cm depending on taste and attach securely.
Size adjustments
- Larger shawl: make motifs larger (add extra outer rounds before Round 8), or use thicker yarn / larger hook.
- Smaller shawl: reduce outer rounds or use smaller hook.
- Alternate layout: place 3 motifs in a row for a rectangular wrap, or join all three into a larger triangular crescent by offsetting slightly.
Tips & finishing
- Blocking is essential — it opens the lace and shapes motifs. Use pins and let motifs dry fully before joining to avoid uneven seams.
- If your motifs pucker when joined, add one extra sc round to smaller motif(s) to even out diameter before joining.
- Use stitch markers when planning join points to make JAYG easier.
- For a lighter drape, use fingering yarn and a 3.5 mm hook; for warmer, thicker shawl, use DK and 4.5 mm hook.
- When adding fringe, secure each tassel with a small knot then sew in place for extra durability.
Variation (quick)
- Make motifs in gradient colors (center dark → outer light) for dramatic boho ombré.
- Skip the outer huge scallops and instead do a delicate picot edge for a subtler shawl.
- Add a row of long picot loops (ch 20 small loop then sc) and hang tassels from those loops for extra movement.
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