Tree of Life Shawl US terminology

As promised, the first pattern in US terminology. Make sure that you check which pattern you have otherwise you might get into trouble while making the shawl.

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Enjoy!

TREE  OF  LIFE  SHAWL

US

 © Will Vissers @ CraftHeart

Before you start on a project it is very important to read through the entire pattern so you know what you can expect of the pattern and what is expected of you while following the pattern and working on your shawl. This pattern will not be a fully written pattern (there are many repeats), but help will be provided by using diagrams.

     

IMPORTANT  INFORMATION

Important stitches and patterns:

-         Linen stitch variation nr. 1 (the rows/stripes are worked horizontally across the shawl)  --> diagram and written instructions

-         Linen stitch variation nr. 2 (the rows/stripes are worked along the sides of the main tree-panel)  -->  diagram and written instructions

-         Back and front post stitches

-         The Tree of Life pattern worked in back and front post stitches  -->  diagram provided

Yarn information:

-         The Tree-panel and the wide border of the Tree of Life Shawl have been made using Julia (minty green) – about 4 / 5 skeins (400 / 500 g)    -->    bulky yarn

-         The decorative border/edging is made using Royal (white) – for the edging described you will need 1 skein (100 g)    -->    DK

Hooks used:

-         8.0 mm  -->   for the Tree-panel and the wide border (using Julia) – habit of crocheting tightly? Try with a size 8.5 or 9.0 mm hook.

-         5.0 / 6.0 mm   -->   for the 1st row of the decorative border/edging – choose the hook that fits you.

-         4.0 mm   -->   for row 2 and 3 of the decorative border/edging. Do not choose a bigger hook; you will need the contrast of a fine and fragile looking edging with the robust Tree-panel of the shawl.

Measurements:

-         Tree-panel   -->   height ± 77 cm   -   width ± 158 cm

-         Tree-panel + wide border   -->   height ± 90 cm   -   width ± 184 cm

-         Decorative border/edging   -->   ± 2 cm (this border/edging is optional and it will add ± 2 cm extra in height and width)

-         Tree-motif/pattern  -->   height ± 55 cm   -   wicth ± 43 cm

Number of rows:

-         Tree-panel   -->   starting at the point of the panel you will have 92 rows in total when the panel is finished – this is the height you need.

-         Wide border   -->   to work this border around the tree-panel you start on the right side of the shawl (this eventually gives you the best/nicest finish); the border will be 9 rows in total using a the linen stitch variation nr. 2.

Important:

It is important to know that the tree (or trees) will not be placed exactly in the middle of the shawl. This is because the linen stitch variation nr. 1 is based on an odd number of stitches and the tree-pattern is based on an even amount of stitches.

            DO NOT WORRY !!! When you start working on the tree pattern you will notice it is not in the middle, but in the finished shawl you will not notice it anymore. Eventually, the tree-pattern will be almost exactly in the middle of the shawl.

TREE  PANEL

To create the best basis/start for the Tree of Life pattern, we start with a number of rows in linen stitch variation nr. 1. This is a variation on the linen stitch worked from the tip of a point to the widest part of the shawl (shown in the diagram below).

Diagram linen stitch variation nr. 1:

0    =    chain

x    =    single crochet

The diagram above only consists of 6 rows. You repeat the pattern until you have 18 rows and 35 stitches (chain and single crochet – chain to turn work not included) in total.

Written pattern linen stitch variation nr. 1:

1.              Ch 2 ; 1 sc in 2nd ch from needle ; ch 2  -->  1 sc

2.             1 sc in 2nd of ch 2 ; ch 1 ; 1 sc in final sc previous row ; ch 2  -->  3 stitches (ch + sc)

3.             1 sc in 2nd of ch 2 ; ch 1 ; 1 sc ; ch 1 ; 1 sc in final sc previous row ; ch 2  -->  5 st

4.             1 sc in 2nd of ch 2 ; ch 1 ; 1 sc ; ch 1 ; 1 sc ; ch 1 ; 1 sc in final sc previous row ; ch 2  --> 7 st

5.             1 sc in 2nd of ch 2 ; ch 1 ; 1 sc ; ch 1 ; 1 sc ; ch 1 ; 1 sc ; ch 1 ; 1 sc in final sc previous row ; ch 2    -->  9 st

Repeat row 4 and 5 until you have 18 rows and 35 stitches in total.

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When you have 18 rows following the pattern above – you have 35 stitches and ch 2 (to turn) – it is time start with the Tree of Life pattern. To create a firm basis for the Tree of Life pattern you first have crochet a special row – a combination of the linen stitch variation and double crochet – in row 19.

19.     1 sc in 2nd of ch 2 ; [1 sc ; ch 1] 4x ; 4 sc in next 4 stitches (mark first and last sc 0f 4 sc) ;

          [ch 1 ; 1 sc] 6x ; 4 sc in next 4 stitches (mark first and last sc of 4 sc) ; [ch 1 ; 1 sc] 4x   -->  

          37 st

 20.   This row is the first row of the Tree of Life pattern with front and back post stitches (as shown in the diagram provided. The 4 sc you have marked in row 19 are the basis for the two tree-trunks of the Tree of Life.    -->    39 st

The pattern for the Tree of Life in itself is 48 stitches wide – this means it is 48 sc wide. At this stage is does not matter which side you pick as the right side of the shawl. This means that you  can either use front or back post stitches for the first row of the pattern.

In between the tree-trunks:

In between the two tree-trunks you will crochet the linen stitch. This means that you will crochet 1 sc on every ch 1 and ch 1 on every 1 sc of the previous row. Make sure that you secure every first and last back or front post stitch with 1 sc in the next stitch (this means that you sometimes have 2 sc after one another in the linen stitch pattern.

          Continue crocheting the linen stitch variation nr. 1 in between the two tree-trunks until the linen stitch does not work anymore. I advice to stop working the linen stitch when you have come to the stage that the gap between the tree-trunks is 4 sc wide.

Increasing at the beginning and end of every row:

Before you reach a tree-trunk, you will crochet using linen stitch variation nr. 1 – make sure you always end with a sc before you work a front or back post stitch. After you have crocheted the final front or back post stitch of the final tree-trunk in a certain row, you will crochet using linen stitch variation nr. 1 again – in this case also make sure that you fasten the final front or back post stitch with a sc.

          Make sure that you keep increasing 2 stitches every row – the same as in the diagram – while working on the Tree of Life pattern – the first row in the Tree of Life pattern will have 39 stitches).

The branches:

The spaces between the branches are crocheted according to the diagram provided for the Tree of Life. This means that the spaces between the branches are crocheted using sc – in this case you do NOT use the linen stitch.

          When working from the beginning and after finishing/making a branch you will keep using the linen stitch variation nr. 1. Make sure you fasten the front or back post stitches with a sc the same way you did with the stitches in the tree-trunks (you can have 2 sc after one another in some rows).

          When a branch ends in the pattern – you have made the final front or back post stitch of the branch – you will crochet using linen stitch variation nr. 1 in the next row (or sc when between branches of course) until you reach the next branch. To make sure the linen stitch will work out when you have finished the last branch on the tree (the final front or back post stitch of the pattern) you need to count your stitches – you need an odd number of stitches. It is possible that you need to add or skip a stitch in order to had an odd number of stitches in the row after the last branch is finished (I skipped 1 stitch, but skipping or adding is your own choice).

          One final not for the Tree of Life pattern. When a branch ‘jumps’ two stitches you can choose to crochet a front or back treble – for example in row 22. The front and back post stitches crossing one another are always front or back treble – you can find explanations or videos about crossing front and back post stitches all over the internet. To get the branches of the Tree of Life to cross nicely – take a good look at the photographs provided at the end of the pattern – it is important to keep an eye on which branch should cross over or under. This determines how your front/back treble stitches should cross.

Tree of Life diagram (bottom half):

Notes on diagram (numbers are rows in diagram):

17.     1^st of 5 front/back post stitches is a front/back post treble around stitch in row 15. This is also the case for the final stitch of 5 on the second tree-trunk.

22.    Branch jumps 2 sc --> option to use front/back post treble.

22.    Start on new branch, final 2 stitches of 6 are 2 front/back post treble stitches around 4^th front/back post stitch of row 20. The mirror image goes for tree-trunk nr. 2.

24.    Branch jumps 2 sc in the middle of the pattern.

25.    Stop working linen stitch --> follow pattern as given = 4 sc

27.    Here is the first crossing of the branches --> this crossing will decide all the other crossings in the pattern.

Tree of Life diagram (top half):

Notes on diagram (numbers are rows in diagram):

31.     Another crossing of branches. Make sure that you know which branch has to cross over and which one has to cross under – decide based on the first crossing in the pattern.

37.    Another crossing, determine which branch crosses over and which one crosses under.

42.    Another crossing; WATCH OUT !!! This crossing is supposed to be the mirror image of row 37.

Adding to the Tree of Life pattern:

Because I did not completely agree with the pattern and the way in which branches ended, I decided to lengthen some branches or give them an extra 1 sc jump at the end. Doing this is your own choice; you will not get into trouble when you follow the diagram provided.

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When you have followed the Tree of Life diagram to the letter, you will have 55 + 19 = 74 rows in total after you have crocheted the final front/back post stitch of the pattern. As explained above you can lengthen the final two branches with 1 or 2 back/front post stitches; this will give you 75 or 76 rows in total after finishing the diagram.

            The next row – row 75 when you have followed the pattern to the letter – will be crocheted using linen stitch variation nr. 1 (the stitch used before you started the pattern). As explained before, it is possible for you to have an even number of stitches, so it is important that you increase or decrease one stitch in this row (I decreased 1 stitch by skipping to stitches instead of one before 1 sc in next stitch – I skipped on top of a front/back post stitch). In row 76 – the next row – you should be able to crochet the linen stitch variation again according to the diagram (you should have an odd number of stitches now).

            Continue using the linen stitch variation as you have done before – increase 2 stitches every row – until the Tree of Life panel counts 92 rows. You can increase or decrease the height of this panel by crocheting more or less than 92 rows.

WIDE  BORDER

The wide border is crocheted starting on the right side of the shawl, which makes sure you end on the right side of the shawl (after an odd number of rows). You can also start on the wrong side of the Tree-panel, but in that case you have to crochet an even number of rows to finish the wide border – for the right finish.

            You can make the shawl as wide or as narrow as you want it to be. I choose to crochet 9 rows, but of course you can adjust this to your taste. When you do this, make sure that you crochet an odd number of row (when starting on the right side of the shawl).

Pattern:

The wide border around the Tree-panel is crocheted in linen stitch variation nr. 2 – the lines parallel to the edge of the original Tree-panel. Tutorials and videos for this linen stitch variation are available on the internet (you can look up the Dutch version of the stitch ‘granietsteek’).         

Diagram linen stitch variation nr. 2:

* single crochet  =

            double crochet

‘Written’ pattern:

1.              Start with ch 1 and 1 sc in the same stitch (on the right side and at the top of the Tree-panel) ; divide the linen stitch stitches evenly across the first side of the Tree-panel following the diagram ; in the bottom point/corner [1 v ; 2 l ; 1 v] and continue in the linen stitch (evenly divided) along the other side of the Tree-panel following the diagram ; ch 1

Continue according to/following the diagram:

2.             1 sc in the same stitch (1^st sc previous row) ; ch 1 ; [1 sc ; ch 1] until bottom point/corner ; [1 sc ; ch 2 ; 1 sc] in the bottom point/corner ; [ch 1 ; 1 sc] until the final ch 1 on this side ; ch 1 ; 1 sc in final sc of previous row ; ch 1

3.             Repeat row 2

Repeat row 2 until you have 9 rows in total for the wide border or until you have reached the width you desire for the border. Cut yarn.

FINISH

There are different ways to finish the Tree of Life shawl. I opted for a decorative border that I thought of myself. When you like it – there are pictures with this pattern – you can decide to finish your shawl with the same decorative border.

            Furthermore, I made leaves that I appliquéd onto the shawl – not really randomly positioned, but creatively positioned – to give the branches some leaves and some life.

Decorative border:

Start on the right side with the decorative border as well. This, again, gives you the best finish for the border/edging.

            Use a 5.0 or 6.0 mm hook for the first row of the decorative border à the size of the hook is your own choice. For the following rows (row 2 and onwards) you will need to use a 4.0 mm hook to keep the decorative border nice and delicate – a nice contrast with the robust Tree-panel.

Written for the decorative border:

1.         On the right side with hook 5.0/6.0 mm 2 sc in 1st sc previous row ; 1sc in first ch 1 previous row ; ch 1 ; 2 sc in next ch 1 ; ch 1 ; [2 sc ; ch 1] repeat until bottom point/corner ; [2 sc ; ch 2 ; 2 sc] in point/corner ; ch 1 ; [2 sc ; ch 1] repeat until final ch 1 of previous row ; 1 sc in ch 1 ; 2 sc in final sc ; ch 1

2.        With hook 4.0 mm 1 sc in 1^st sc (sc of ch 1) ; ch 4 ; 1 sc in 1^st ch 1 previous row ; [ch 4 ; 1 sc] repeat until final sc bottom point/corner ; ch 4 ; 1 sc in bottom point/corner ; ch 4 ; 1 sc in bottom point/corner ; ch 4 ; 1 sc in 1^st ch 1 after bottom point/corner ; [ch 4 ; sc 1] repeat up until and including final ch 1 ; ch 4 ; 1 sc in final sc previous row ; ch 1

3.        1 sc in sc of ch 1 (1^st sc) ; ch 4 ; 1 sc in first ch 4 arch ; ch 3 ; 1 sc in next ch 4 arch ; [ch 3 ; 1 sc] repeat up until and including final ch 4 arch (the end of the border) ; ch 4 ; 1 sc in sc previous row.

Cut yarn.

Leaves:

The leaves are made with a size 4.0 mm hook. This makes sure that they are not too big to fit with the branches of the Tree of Life and have a nice dence structure (you can also go with a smaller hook if you would like to). The most important thing is that you make sure the leaves are not too big, otherwise everything will be out of proportion.

Written pattern:

Chain 8.

1.         1 sc in 2nd ch from hook ; 1 sc ; 1 hdc (half double crochet) ; 1 dc ; 1 dc ; 1 hdc ; 1 sc in final ch ; ch 1

2.        Continue working on the other side of the base-chain (the base-chain will be the vein of the leaf) 1 sc ; 1 hdc ; 1 dc ; 1 dc ; 1 hdc ; 1 sc ; 1 ss (slip stitch) in final ch base-chain ; 1 ss in ch 1 to turn (for row 1)

Cut yarn.

Crochet multiple leaves and try out different placements for the leaves on the branches of the Tree of Life. Ik made 14 leaves in total and appliquéd these onto the shawl.

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Other ways to finish and decorate you shawl:

When the leaves and the provided decorative border are not really your style, or when you would like to do something different, you can always opt for other ways to decorate and finish your shawl. Here are some ideas and options:

-         Instead of the leaves you can choose to appliqué crocheted flowers onto your shawl. You can turn your Tree of Life into a Japanese Cherry blossom – use small and tiny flowers. You can also opt for bigger flowers or mix flowers and leaves to make it absolutely unique.

-         Not finishing the shawl with the leaves is also an option. There are picture of a shawl without leave added to this pattern.

-         The decorative border/edging can also be left out/off. The picture just under the title of the pattern shows you the Tree of Life shawl without the decorative border/edging.

-         When you do not like the decorative border, or when you think it is not decorative enough, you can always opt for another border/edging. There are a lot of different borders and edgings on the internet and in books. A floral edging, leaf-edging, or a crocheted pompom-like edging, could be nice. Look around and pick the border that appeals to you.

-         When you do not like the leaves as described in the pattern, you can always look around on the internet en in books to find patterns for other leaves. Maple-leaves and oak-leaves can also be great to put on the shawl. 

PICTURES

The following are added to this pattern to illustrate and inspire.