Apr
okay so you want to make a shawl with pockets
honestly the whole pocket thing is genius because where else are you gonna put your phone when you’re wrapped up in a blanket basically. I made my first one in spring 2022 when I was binge-watching Schitt’s Creek for like the third time and just needed something to do with my hands that wasn’t doomscrolling.
so the basic idea is you’re making a triangle shawl but adding pockets somewhere logical. most free patterns you’ll find put them either on the front edges or sometimes one big pocket in the back which sounds weird but actually works if you think about it.
finding a pattern that doesn’t suck
I used this pattern from a blog called MakeAndDoCrew I think? or maybe it was AllAboutAmi, honestly I have like 47 tabs open at any given time. the thing that annoyed me SO MUCH about most free patterns is they assume you want this delicate lacy thing and I’m like no I want something chunky I can actually wear when it’s cold. not everything needs to be heirloom quality or whatever.
you want to look for patterns that specifically say “bulky weight” or “worsted weight” if you want something practical. the super thin yarn patterns are pretty but you’ll be crocheting until next year and it won’t keep you warm anyway.
yarn choices that actually matter
I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick for my first one in this grey color that’s probably discontinued now because that’s always what happens when you like something. it’s acrylic and wool blend so it’s machine washable which is crucial because I WILL spill coffee on anything I own.
for the pockets I actually used a different yarn because I ran out and had to improvise with some Bernat Blanket yarn in a cream color. it looked intentional though like I planned it that way. nobody needs to know it was a mistake.
some people swear by Caron Simply Soft but honestly it’s too… slippery? the stitches don’t grip each other the same way. good for blankets maybe but for a shawl you’re gonna wear it feels weird. or maybe that’s just me being picky I dunno.
the actual construction part
most shawl patterns start from the top center of your neck and work down in a triangle. you’re basically increasing on both sides as you go so it gets wider. the math is usually something like:
- chain a starting amount (like 4 or 5)
- work into the chain with increases at specific points
- each row gets longer because you’re adding stitches at the ends and sometimes in the middle
- keep going until it’s as big as you want
the pocket part is where it gets interesting or annoying depending on your mood. you’ve got options.
option one: front edge pockets
these are easiest because you literally just crochet rectangles and sew them onto the front edges of your finished shawl. I did this method first because I was lazy and it worked fine. you make two rectangles maybe 6 inches by 7 inches or whatever size fits your hand comfortably.
the annoying thing here is sewing them on neatly. I hate weaving in ends and I hate sewing pieces together even more. my cat Oliver kept sitting on the shawl while I was trying to position the pockets so that was fun. eventually I just pinned them where they seemed right and used a yarn needle with the same yarn to attach them.
pro tip: attach them on three sides only obviously. I almost sewed one completely shut before I realized what I was doing.
option two: integrated pockets
this is where you actually create the pocket AS you’re making the shawl. it’s more complicated but looks cleaner. basically when you get to the row where you want the pocket to start, you work across until you get to that spot, then you chain across the pocket opening instead of working into the stitches below.
next row you work into those chains. then on a later row you go back and work into the stitches you skipped to create the actual pocket depth. it’s like… okay imagine you’re making a hole on purpose but then filling it in from behind? that probably makes no sense.
I tried this method in summer 2024 with a lighter cotton blend (I think it was We Are Knitters cotton) and it came out really nice but took me forever to figure out. the pattern I followed had unclear instructions about where exactly to place the pockets and I ended up ripping out like four rows twice because they were too high up and looked stupid.
stitch choices and why they matter
you can use basically any stitch but some work better than others. I’ve tried:
granny stitch clusters: these make a nice drape and work up fast but they’re holey so not great for winter unless you’re layering it
half double crochet: my go-to honestly. it’s thick enough to be warm, has good drape, and doesn’t take as long as double crochet rows when you’re making something this big
moss stitch: looks amazing and textured but oh my god it takes forever and your hands will cramp. I got maybe eight rows in before I was like nope
shell stitch: pretty and works for a fancier shawl but the pockets look weird with this stitch pattern in my opinion
the size problem nobody talks about
how big should it actually be? patterns will say stuff like “work until piece measures 60 inches across” but that doesn’t tell you if it’ll actually wrap around you properly. I’m average sized I guess and I found that measuring from fingertip to fingertip with my arms out (about 64 inches for me) was a good target width.
for length from neck to bottom point I aimed for like 30 inches? enough that it covers your back when you wrap it around. too short and it’s basically just a scarf with delusions of grandeur.
the pocket sizing thing that I got wrong initially
my first pockets were too small. like I could barely fit my hand in there let alone a phone or whatever. I was trying to be all dainty about it but that’s not realistic. make them bigger than you think you need.
I redid them to be about 7 inches wide and 8 inches deep and that fits an iPhone plus some chapstick or whatever. some patterns suggest adding a button or flap closure but that seems like overkill unless you’re planning to like… run in your shawl? which why would you do that.
edge finishing because it matters more than you’d think
I used to just fasten off and call it done but the edges curl and look sloppy. adding one round of single crochet around the entire perimeter makes it lay flat and look intentional. some people do a shell border or picot edging but again that’s getting too fancy for something you’re gonna use to wrap up on the couch.
for the pocket openings definitely do at least one round of single crochet so the edge doesn’t stretch out weird when you’re shoving your hands in and out.
yarn amounts and why I always buy too much
for a adult-sized shawl with pockets using bulky yarn I used about 600-700 yards total. but I always buy like 900 yards because I have trust issues about running out. then I have random partial skeins everywhere which is how I ended up with seventeen different grey yarns that don’t quite match.
if you’re using worsted weight you’re looking at probably 1000-1200 yards maybe? depends on how big you make it and how tight you crochet. I crochet pretty loose so my stuff uses more yarn than the pattern usually estimates.
the blocking question
people get really intense about blocking and honestly for a shawl with pockets I think it’s optional. I blocked my summer 2024 one because it was cotton and looked wrinkly but the chunky acrylic ones I just… wore them and they shaped themselves after a few uses.
if you do block it lay it out flat in the triangle shape and pin the points so it dries symmetrical. don’t pin the pockets flat though or they’ll lose their depth and defeat the whole purpose.
modifications I’ve done that worked
added a hood once by basically making a rectangle and sewing it to the top edge. it looked ridiculous but was incredibly warm. not sure I’d do it again but it was an experience.
made one with three pockets instead of two – two in front and one in back. the back pocket was actually clutch for holding my kindle when I was reading and needed both hands free for snacks or whatever.
tried adding fringe to the bottom point and immediately regretted it. it got tangled in everything and looked stupid. cut it all off after two days.
used two colors in stripes which sounds basic but actually looked really good. I did grey and cream in thick stripes and made the pockets in the contrasting color. very neutral and I actually wore this one out of the house unlike some of my more… experimental projects.
common mistakes I see people make
making the neck edge too tight – you gotta be able to actually drape this thing around your shoulders comfortably. if your starting chain is too snug the whole thing will pull weird.
not checking gauge which I know everyone says to do but seriously with something this big if you’re off by even a little bit you’ll end up with either a baby shawl or something that could cover a car.
using yarn that’s too scratchy. I don’t care how pretty it is if it feels like a brillo pad you won’t wear it. Red Heart Super Saver is cheap but some colors are itchier than others for some reason.
real talk about free patterns
free patterns are great but sometimes you get what you pay for. I’ve found patterns with straight up errors in the stitch counts or instructions that contradict themselves. always read through the whole thing before you start and check the comments if there are any because usually someone’s pointed out the mistakes.
Ravelry has tons of free shawl with pocket patterns and you can see other people’s finished projects which helps you figure out if it’s gonna turn out decent or not. some patterns have like hundreds of projects and you can see all the different yarn choices and color combos.
YouTube tutorials are sometimes better than written patterns for this kind of thing if you’re a visual learner. I watched one by Bella Coco I think where she made a simple triangle shawl and then just added pockets at the end. sometimes simpler is better than following some overly complicated pattern.
what to do with it when you’re done
I mean you wear it obviously but also it’s great for:
- wearing around the house when you’re cold but don’t want to turn up the heat
- outdoor events where it’s chilly but a coat is too much
- airplanes because airplane blankets are gross and this has pockets for your stuff
- working from home and wanting to feel cozy but still have your phone accessible
they also make good gifts if you know someone who’s always cold. I made one for my mom and she actually uses it which is rare because usually my handmade gifts end up in a closet somewhere.
the pockets are really the killer feature though. once you have a shawl with pockets you can’t go back to regular shawls because where are you supposed to put your hands. it’s just impractical at that point.
