Crochet Shawl That’s a Little Bit Different – The Selene Hooded Shawl

A free crochet shawl pattern designed for easy layering, with an optional hood to keep you cosy.

A crochet shawl can be more than just an extra layer — it can be practical, cosy, and just a little bit different.

My Selene Hooded Shawl is a relaxed, open-front wrap designed for layering — with the added bonus of a softly shaped hood for extra warmth.

Using the same textured stitch pattern as my Selene cardigan and sweater, my design brings that familiar rhythm into a shawl you’ll keep handy and wear again and again.

Whether you’re heading out for a walk or wrapping up indoors, my crochet shawl is an easy, wearable project with beautiful stitch definition and plenty of drape.

You can follow the free crochet shawl pattern right here on the blog.  If you prefer a printable, ad-free version, the PDF is also available in my Etsy, Ravelry, and LoveCrafts shops.

Below you’ll find everything you need — sizing, materials, gauge, and the full free crochet pattern.

Jump to:  Measurements  |  Materials  |  Free Crochet Pattern

Skill Level

Beginner Friendly

Measurements

57” wide x 28” long

Designed to fit a wide range of body sizes when worn open as a shawl.

Hood: 19” wide x 10” deep

Materials

• Aran/Worsted (weight #4) yarn; approx. 1315 yds
• 5mm crochet hook (I use Clover Amour)
• Stitch Markers
• Dressmaking Pins (back seam)
• Scissors
• Yarn Needle

Yarn Choices

I had the perfect yarn for this project waiting on my shelf – Woolcraft Aran in the shade Sandstone. 

This yarn combines 25% wool with 75% acrylic, making it warm yet easy to care for. It can be machine washed at 30°C using a cold rinse and short spin.

It was lovely and soft to work with, and the neutral colour gives excellent stitch definition.

You can use any yarn of the same weight for this pattern.  If you do substitute, be sure to crochet a gauge swatch first to not only check gauge but also that you’re happy with the drape.

If you’re gauge is different from mine, you can adjust your stitch count using my stitch gauge converter.

Gauge

Using a 5mm hook and Aran/Worsted weight yarn:

14 stitches and 8 rows = 4” x 4” (10cm x 10cm)

Pattern used for the gauge swatch::

• 2 rows of shell (Iris stitch)
• 2 rows of double crochet
• 1 row crossed double crochet
• 2 rows of double crochet
• 1 row of shell (Iris stitch)

Stitches and Abbreviations

You need to be able to work these stitches (if you need a reminder, you’ll find the full instructions in my stitch library).

• single crochet (sc)
• stacked double crochet (stacked dc)
• double crochet (dc)
• crossed double crochet (Xdc)
• slip stitch (sl st)

These common abbreviations are used throughout the pattern:

• Between (bet)
• Chain/s (ch/s)
• Each (ea)
• Remaining (rem)
• Repeat (rep)
• Right side (RS)
• Skip (sk)
• Space/s (sp/s)
• Stitch/es (st/s)
• Wrong Side (WS)

How to Crochet the Selene Rectangular Shawl

I wanted the stitches to fall the right way up at both fronts of this shawl, so instead of working one long rectangle where the stitch pattern on one side would appear upside down, the design is constructed by crocheting two smaller rectangles, which are then seamed together at the back.

If you don’t mind the stitch pattern being upside down on one side, you can absolutely crochet this as a single rectangle instead.

Tip: Working two smaller rectangles also makes this a more portable project — ideal if you like to crochet while you’re out and about.

This shawl uses the same textured stitch pattern as the other designs in the Selene wearable collection, including the Selene Cardigan, Selene Sweater, and Selene Triangle Shawl.

It combines double crochet, Iris stitch, and crossed double crochet to create a rhythmic, easy-to-memorise pattern.

The optional hood is worked directly onto the neckline in a simple rectangular shape.

Shaping is added on each side of the hood, with decreases created by leaving stitches unworked on one side and using slip stitches on the other.

The sides of the hood are then folded and seamed at the top.

The image below will help you visualise the hood construction.

A final row of single crochet around fronts and hood neatly finishes the edge.

My Pattern Notes

• Pattern is written in English using US crochet terms.
• One size fits most.
• Stitch repeats are between * symbols.  For example: *sk3, [2dc, ch1, 2dc] in next st, * rep to last 4 sts.  You will skip 3 stitches, work 2 double crochet, chain 1, 2 double crochet in the next stitch and repeat this to the last 4 stitches.
• Rows begin with a stacked double crochet.  If you prefer not to stack but to work a chain 3 at the end or beginning of a row, this will work too. Substitute chain 3 for stacked double in the pattern instructions.
• Row 1 is worked in the back bumps.
• Row 4 is worked into the chain spaces created in row 3.
• Row 5 is worked into the double crochet stitches ONLY. All chain spaces are skipped.
• Weave in ends as you go.
• If you substitute the yarn, you may need more or less yarn than stated in the written pattern.

Selene Crochet Shawl Pattern Instructions (US terms)

Make 2

With a 5mm hook

Ch 89

Row 1: sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc across, turn (88 sc)

Row 2: stacked dc, dc in ea st across, turn (88 dc)

Row 3: stacked dc, dc in next st, sk1, [2dc, ch1, 2dc] in next st, *sk3, [2dc, ch1, 2dc] in next st, * rep to last 4 sts, sk2, dc in last 2 sts, turn (88 dc, 21 ch-1 sps)

Row 4: stacked dc, dc in next st, [2dc, ch1, 2dc] in ea ch1-sp across to last 4 sts, sk2, dc in last 2 sts, turn (88 dc, 21 ch-1 sps)

Row 5: stacked dc, dc in ea dc, sk ch1-sps across, turn (88 dc)

Row 6: rep row 2 (88dc)

Row 7: stacked dc, Xdc to last st, dc in last st, turn (2 dc, 43 Xdc)

Row 8: rep row 2 (88 dc)

Row 9: rep row 2 (88 dc)

Rows 3 – 9 complete pattern

Row 10 – 54: rep rows 3 – 9

Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew back seam

Assembly

Lay each rectangle flat side by side making sure the direction of the stitches mirror each other as in the image below.

Line up and pin the short edges together to create the back seam

Sew seam (the seam is on the WS)

Fasten off

Optional Hood

Working on RS, place a st marker at centre seam

Measure 10” to the left and place a st marker

Measure 10” to the right and place a st marker

With a 5mm hook

Rejoin yarn on RS at first st marker, ch1

Row 1: sc evenly 32 sts to centre st marker, sc evenly 32 sts to last st marker

Remove st markers

Work rows 2 – 9 of shawl pattern once

Work rows 3 – 9 of shawl pattern once

Work rows 3 – 8 of shawl pattern once

DO NOT FASTEN OFF

Identify centre of the last row and place st marker bet posts

Shape First Side of Hood

Row 1: dc across to last 2 sts of centre st marker, turn (leave rem sts unworked)

Row 2: stacked dc, dc in ea st, turn

Row 3: rep row 1

Row 4: rep row 2

Fasten off

Shape Second Side of Hood

Row 1: sk2 sts to the left of the central st marker, rejoin yarn, stacked dc, dc in ea st, turn

Row 2: stacked dc, dc in ea st, turn

Row 3: sl st in first 3 sts, stacked dc, dc in ea st, turn

Row 4: stacked dc, dc in ea st

Fasten off

Hood Seam

With RS facing outwards, fold ea side of hood inwards

Sew central seam

Fasten off

Shawl and Hood Edging

Rejoin yarn on RS at hem, ch1

Sc evenly up front, around hood, down front

Fasten off

Congratulations!  Your crochet shawl with hood is finished and ready to be blocked and worn.

I hope you enjoy crocheting your Selene Hooded Shawl as much as I enjoyed designing it. Whether you’re making it for everyday wear or as a cosy layer to reach for when the weather turns cooler, I’d love to hear how you get on.

If you enjoy working on shawls, have a browse of the free patterns in this roundup.

If you need help or want to share your finished make, join us in the Facebook group.  We’d love to have you.  It’s always a joy to see your makes and the colours you choose. 

Copyright Notice

The pattern and photographs of this design are the property of Sharon Goodwin at Jera’s Jamboree.  This pattern and design are subject to copyright and are for personal, non-commercial use only.  You may not share, resell, alter or redistribute this pattern in part or in whole. You may, however, sell any finished items you make.  If you would like to include this pattern in a roundup, you may take one photo and link back to this pattern.

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