A unisex crochet pattern for giving and comfort
Learn how to crochet the Poetry and Prose Prayer Shawl! This is a wonderful shawl to make for charity. It’s a unisex design in a neutral palette, and it’s worked entirely in wide half double crochet!
What’s wide half double crochet? This variation on the classic stitch has you crochet between the posts instead of into the top of the stitches. Paired with a larger crochet hook, this technique creates a slightly lacy and oh-so-drapey fabric!
It’s also a one-row repeat!
I’ve included a video tutorial as well as some step-by-step photos.
I hope you enjoy this pattern!
You can save this pattern to your Pinterest board here.
Fall Into Crochet Blog Hop 2026
Links below include affiliate links, where I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much for your support!
This pattern is featured in the Fall Into Crochet Blog Hop hosted by Itchin’ for Some Stitchin’! A free PDF copy of this pattern was available on September 4, but all month long you can check out the other free patterns OR grab the bundle!
First, head over to the blog hop to see what it’s all about!
If you love what you see at the roundup, you don’t have to wait to get all 30 gorgeous PDF patterns. You can grab the bundle at a huge discount and get all the patterns instantly!
Enjoy!!!!
Abbreviations (US)
- ch(s): chain(s)
- fhdc(s): foundation half double crochet(s)
- hdc(s): half double crochet(s)
- rep: repeat
- st(s): stitch(es)
Materials
- Expression Fiber Arts ‘DEWY’ DK Weight 3 Light Yarn (70% Superwash Merino Wool, 20% Nylon, 10% Silk, 250 yd/228 m, 4 oz/113 g) Poetry and Prose 6 skeins
- I/9 5.5mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
Finished Size
27″ x 66″ blocked | 26″ x 55″ before blocking
Gauge
12 sts x 11 rows = 4″ x 4″ blocked | 12 sts x 13 rows = 4″ x 4″ before blocking
Notes
You can get an ads-free, easy-to-print PDF of this pattern over at Etsy or Ravelry!
You can watch a video tutorial for this pattern on my YouTube channel here.
Due to the beautiful variegated nature of this yarn, a row of foundation half double crochet looks the most seamless. However, if you prefer, you can ch 81 and hdc across the first row.
When working with hand dyed yarn, especially yarn with this rapid variegation, it is recommended to alternate skeins to avoid color pooling. In order to do this, I recommend having three skeins attached at a time, changing skeins every row, and carrying the yarn up the sides. I’ve detailed a way to carry yarn up the sides without needing to enclose the floats in a border later.
Superwash wool stretches a ton with blocking! If you are using a different fiber, use the gauge and finished size info from before blocking.
Thank you so much to Expression Fiber Arts for providing the beautiful yarn for this project!
Turning ch never counts as a st.
To adjust the width of this shawl, ch any number.
Check out my other prayer shawl patterns!
Poetry and Prose Prayer Shawl Pattern
Row 1: Ch 2, fhdc in the 2nd ch from hook, work 79 more fhdc, drop (do not cut) current skein, join next skein, turn. <80 fhdcs>
Row 2: Ch 2, hdc between the posts of the first st and second st, *hdc between the posts of the next 2 sts; rep from * across working the final hdc between the last hdc and the turning ch, drop current skein, join next skein, turn. <80 hdcs>
Rows 3-183: Ch 2, hdc between the posts of the first st and second st, *hdc between the posts of the next 2 sts; rep from * across working the final hdc between the last hdc and the turning ch and picking up the available skein when pulling up the third loop of the hdc (see photos below), turn. <80 hdcs>
To carry the yarn up the sides without needing a border to enclose floats later, you can join new skeins midway through the last hdc of the row like so:
1. Begin your hdc with a yarn over as usual.
2. Insert your hook in the last st of the row.
3. Instead of pulling up a loop with the current skein of yarn, drop that yarn and grab the strand from two rows back.
4. Pull through.
5. Complete the hdc by yarning over with the new yarn and pulling through all three loops.
Cut yarn, fasten off, and weave in ends. Wet block to specified dimensions.
