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Molly Malone Shawl
by Laura Gray


 

This shawl combines my love of crochet shell stitches and my love of Irish folk songs.

 

Take yourself to a city by the sea. Breathe the salty air. Feel the crunch of shells under your feet and the grit of sand between your toes. Hear the reassuring rhythm of lapping waves nearby. Feel the energized peace.

 

“In Dublin's fair city

Where the girls are so pretty

I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone

As she wheeled her wheel-barrow

Through streets broad and narrow

Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh!"

 

Molly’s rather risque statue in Dublin is lovingly referred to by the natives as “the tart with a  art.” Remember sweet Molly Malone and transport yourself to a happy place as you create this lovely piece.

 

The Dubliners singing Molly Malone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjjh5EmkKCA

 

 

 

I used Perennial fingering weight (Color A) and hand dyed BFL (Color B), hook size 2.25mm. The BFL was slightly thicker than the Perennial and it added great texture to my shell-themed stitches.

Abbreviation guide:

SC = single crochet

DC= double crochet

TC = treble crochet

DTC = double treble crochet

BLO = Back Loop Only

FLO = Front Loop Only

 

COLOR A (solid)

This section establishes the triangular shape of the shawl. Keep one side flat and increase on the other side. I primarily used DC and TC stitches. I added BLO and FLO stitches to make textured ridges. A note on these stitches: the goal is to keep the ridges on one side. If you are working a row looking at the wrong side, use a FLO – from the right side, use a BLO. There are limitless options to establish this triangular solid section. This is what I did:

  • CH 5
  • row 1: DC in 3rd st from hook, DC across (you will have 3 DC plus ch 2)
  • row 2: CH 2, turn, DC in 2nd st, DC across, increase with an extra DC at the end

            (this row has 4 DC plus ch 2)

  • row 3: CH 2, turn, DC in 1st st, DC across, end with DC in top of ch 2

(this row has 5 DC plus ch 2)

  • row 4: CH 2, turn, DC in 2nd st, DC across, end with 2 DC in top of ch 2

(this row has 6 DC plus ch 2)

  • row 5: CH 2, turn, DC in 1st st, DC across, end with DC in top of ch 2

(this row has 7 DC plus ch 2)

  • row 6: CH 2, turn, DC in 2nd st, DC across, end with 2 DC in top of ch 2

(this row has 8 DC plus ch 2)

  • row 7: CH 2, turn, DC in 2nd st, DC across, end with DC in top of ch 2

(this row has 8 DC plus ch 2)

  • row 8: CH 3, TC in 2nd st, TC across, end with TC in top of ch 2

(this row has 8 TC plus ch 3)

  • row 9: CH 1, turn, SC in 1st st, SC across, end with SC in top of ch 3
  • row 10: CH 2, turn, DC BLO in 2ndst, DC BLO across, end with  2 DC in top of ch 1

(this row has 10 DC plus ch 2)

  • row 11: CH 2, turn, DC FLO in 2nd st, DC FLO across, end with DC in top of ch 2

(this row has 10 DC plus ch 2)

  • row 12: CH 3, turn, TC in 2nd st, TC across, end with TC in top of ch 2

(this row has 10 TC plus ch 3)

  • row 13: CH 1, turn, SC in 1st st, SC across, end with SC in top of ch 3
  • row 14: CH 2, turn, DC BLO in 2ndst, DC BLO across, end with  2 DC in top of ch 1

(this row has 12 DC plus ch 2)

  • row 15: CH 2, turn, DC FLO in 1st st, DC FLO across, end with DC in top of ch 2

(this row has 13 DC plus ch 2)

  • row 16: CH 2, turn, DC BLO in 2nd st, DC BLO across, end with 2 DC in top of ch 2

(this row has 13 DC plus ch 2)

  • row 16: CH 3, turn, TC in 1st st, TC across, end with TC in top of ch 2

(this row has 14 TC plus ch 2)

  • row 17: CH 1, turn, SC in 2nd  st, SC across, end with 2 SC in top of ch 3
  • row 18: CH 2, turn, DC FLO in 1st st, DC FLO across, end with DC in top of ch 1

(this row has 16 DC plus ch 2)

  • row 19: CH 2, turn, DC BLO in 2nd  st, DC BLO across, end with 2 DC in top of ch 2

(this row has 17 DC plus ch 2)

  • row 20: CH 2, turn, DC in 1st st, DC across, end with DC in top of ch 2
  • row 21: CH 2, turn, DC in 2nd st , DC across, end with 2 DC in top of ch 2
  • (this row has 19 DC plus ch 2)
  • row 22: CH 2, turn, DC in 2nd st , DC across, end with DC in top of ch 2
  • row 23: CH 3, turn, TC in 2nd st , TC across, end with 2 TC in top of ch 2

(this row has 20 TC plus ch 3)

  • row 24: CH 1, turn, HDC in 1st st, HDC across, end with HDC in top of ch 3
  • row 25: CH 2, turn, DC BLO in 2nd  st, DC BLO across, end with 2 DC in top of ch 1

(this row has 22 DC plus ch 2)

  • row 26: CH 2, turn, DC FLO in 1st st, DC FLO across, end with DC in top of ch 2
  • row 27: CH 2, turn, DC BLO in 2nd  st, DC BLO across, end with 2 DC in top of ch 2

(this row has 24 DC plus ch 2)

  • row 28: CH 3, turn, TC in 1st  st , TC across, end with TC in top of ch 2
  • row 29: CH 3, turn, TC in 2nd  st , TC across, end with 2 TC in top of ch 3
  • row 30: CH 2, turn, DC FLO in 1st st, DC FLO across, end with DC in top of ch 3

(this row has 27 DC plus ch 2)

  • row 31: CH 2, turn, DC BLO in 2nd  st, DC BLO across, end with 2 DC in top of ch 2
  • row 32: CH 1, turn, HDC in 1st st, HDC across, end with HDC in top of ch 2

row 33: CH 2, turn, DC BLO in 2nd  st, DC BLO across, end with 2 DC in top of ch 2

  • row 34: CH 2, turn, DC FLO in 1st st, DC FLO across, end with DC in top of ch 2

(this row has 30 DC plus ch 2)

  • row 35: CH 3, turn, TC in 2nd  st , TC across, end with TC in top of ch 2
  • row 36: CH 3, turn, TC in 1st  st , TC across, end with TC in top of ch 3

(this row has 31 TC plus ch 3)

  • row 37: CH 1, turn, HDC in 2ndt st, HDC across, end with 2 HDC in top of ch 3

 

 

 

COLOR B (hand dyed) – barnacle / small wave section

  • row 1: CH 2, turn, DC in 2nd st, DC across, end with DC in top of ch 1
  • row 2: CH 3 turn, TC in 2nd st, TC across, end with 2 TC in top of ch 2
  • row 3: CH 3 turn, TC in 1st st, TC across, end with 2 TC in top of ch 3

this next section makes small bubbly waves that remind me of barnacles. Ideally, you’ll have a multiple of  5 stitches (wave pattern is sc, dc, tc, dc, sc), but it’s easily modified. Each st should line up with the same st from the previous row, so a TC built on top of a TC, a DC on a DC, and so on. NOTE this section doesn’t block with a perfectly straight edge. If this bothers you, just skip this option and go to another stitch. If you like texture, you’ll like how this turns out.

  • row 4: CH 3, turn, TC in 2nd st, *DC, SC, DC, TC, repeat from * across row,

end with DC in top of ch 3

  • row 5: CH 2, turn, TC in 2nd st, *DC, SC, DC, TC, repeat from * across,

end with DC in top of ch 3

  • row 6: CH 3, turn, TC in 2nd st, *DC, SC, DC, TC, repeat from * across,

end with 2 DC in top of ch 2

  • row 7: CH 2, turn, DC in 1st st, DC in next st, *TC, DC, SC, DC, repeat from * across,

end with DC in top of ch 2

  • row 8: CH 3, turn, TC in 2nd st, *DC, SC, DC, TC,repeat from * across,

end with DC in top of ch 2

  • row 9: CH 2, turn, SC in 1st st, *DC, TC, DC, SC repeat from * across,

end with DC in top of ch 2

The next row flattens the wave, so you want the HDC with the TC below it, the SC with the DC, the DC with the SC.

  • row 10: CH 1, turn, HDC in 2nd st, *SC, DC, SC, HDC, repeat from * across,

end with SC in top of ch 2

  • row 11: CH 3 turn, TC in 2nd st, TC across, end with TC in top of ch 1 (36 TC t+ CH 3 in this row)
  • row 12: CH 3, turn, TC in 2nd st, TC across, end with 2 TC in top of ch 3

 

COLOR A

  • CH 2, turn, DC in 2nd st, FLO DC across, end with DC in top of ch 3
  • CH 2, turn, DC in 2nd st, BLO DC across, end with 2 DC in top of ch 2
  • CH 2, turn, DC in 1st st, FLO DC across, end with DC in top of ch 2

(this row has 39 DC plus CH 2 – must have a multiple of 10 stitches for the next peacock fan stitch sets)

 

COLOR B – peacock fan section

peacock fans (have a multiple of 10 stitches and start on a right side row):

  • row 1: CH 1, turn, * skip 4 stitches, 9 TC in 5th st, skip 4, SC in next st, repeat from * across, end with SC in top of ch 2
  • row 2: CH 4, turn, TC in 1st st, * CH 3, skip 4 tr, SC in the 5th tr (the middle tr of the 9), CH 3, skip 4 tr, 2 TC in next sc, repeat from *across , end with 2 TC in final sc st
  • row 3: CH 1, turn, SC in 1st st (between first 2 tc), * skip 3 ch, 9 TC in next st (directly above the fan in the previous row), skip 3 ch, SC (sp between 2 tc), repeat from * across, end with SC between last tr and ch 1
  • repeat rows 2 and 3, then 2 again

 

COLOR A

  • row 1: CH 2, turn, DC in each st across row, ending with 2 DC in top of ch 4 (note – try to grab 2 loops when working into the chain stitches)
  • row 2: CH 2, turn, FLO DC in each st across, end with DC in top of ch 2
  • row 3: CH 3, turn, BLO TC in each st across, end with 2 TC in top of ch 2

 

 

 

COLOR B – small shell section

  • prep row 1: CH 2, turn, 1 DC in each st across, end with DC in top of ch 2
  • prep row 2: CH 2, turn, 1 DC in each st across, end with 2 DC in top of ch 2

(total of 41 DC plus CH 2 – must have a multiple of 6 stitches for the upcoming little fan stitches)

small shells (also known as the little fan stitch) – have a multiple of 6 stitches and start on a wrong side row)

  • row 1: CH 1, turn, *skip 2 st, 5 DC in next st, skip 2 st, SC in next st, repeat from *, end with SC in top of ch 2
  • row 2: CH 5, turn, skip sc and 2 dc, *SC in next dc (middle of the fan of 5), CH 2, skip 2 dc, DC in sc, CH 2, skip 2 dc, repeat from *, end with DC in top of ch 1
  • row 3: CH 3, turn, 2 DC in 1st dc, *skip 2 ch, SC in sc, skip 2 ch, 5 DC in dc, repeat from *, end with 3 DC in 3rd of 5 ch
  • row 4: CH 1, turn, skip 1st dc, * CH 2, skip 2 dc, DC in sc, CH 2, skip 2 dc, SC in next dc (middle of the fan of 5), repeat from *, end with SC in 3rd of 3 ch
  • row 5: CH 1, turn, skip 1st sc, *skip 2 ch, 5 DC in dc, skip 2 ch, SC in sc, repeat from *, end with SC in first ch of ch 3
  • I repeated rows 2, 3, and 4 again. You can make this section as long as you like by repeating rows 2 through 5. End the section on a row 2 or 4, so you have a flat row on which to build your next solid Color A stripe.

 

COLOR A

  • row 1: CH 2, turn, DC in 1st, DC across (43 DC plus ch 2)
  • row 2: CH 3, turn, TC in 2nd st, BLO TC across, end with 2 TC in top of ch 2
  • row 2: CH 3, turn, TC in 1st st, FLO TC across, end with TC in top of ch 3 (this row has 44 TC plus ch 2)

 

COLOR B – large shell section

Large shell stitch – multiply of 8 st. My stitch layout is made to increase on one side, so if you are following mine exactly, start this on a right side row.

  • row 1: CH 1, turn, SC in 1st st, * skip 3 st, 7 TC in next, skip 3 st, SC in next, repeat from * across end row with CH 4, then 2 SC in the top of ch 3
  • row 2: CH 3, turn, 2 TC in 1st st, SC in CH 4 sp, * 7 TC in sc, skip 3 tr, SC in next (center tr of 7 from previous row), repeat from * across, end with 3 TC in final sc st
  • row 3: CH 1, turn, * sk 3 st, 7 TC in sc, skip 3 st, SC in next st (center tc of 7 tc), repeat from * across, end with SC in top of ch 3
  • row 4: CH 3, turn, 2 TC in 1st st, *skip 3 st, SC in next st (center tc of 7 tc), skip 3 st, 7 TC in sc, repeat from * across, end with 3 TC in top of ch 1
  • row 5: CH 1, turn, * 7 TC in top of sc, skip 3 st, SC in next (center tc of 7 tc), repeat from * across, end with SC in top of ch 3

 

COLOR A

  • re-establishing a straight line: CH 1, turn, * CH 3, skip 3 st, SC in next (center tr of 7 tc), CH 1, turn, CH 3, skip 3 st, DC in sc, repeat from * across, end with DC in top of CH 1
  • CH 2, turn, DC in each st across row (this row has 48 DC plus ch 2)
  • CH 1, turn, HDC in 1st st, FLO HDC across, end with HDC in top of ch 2
  • CH 2, turn, DC in 2nd st, BLO DC across, end with 2 DC in top of ch 1
  • CH 3, turn, TC in 1st st, FLO TC across, end with TC in top of ch 2

 

 

COLOR B – large barnacle / wave section

Note that this section also does not block with a perfectly straight edge. If that is undesirable, skip this stitch option. If you like bumpy textured stitches, go for it and explore this option. 

 

  • row 1: CH 2, turn, DC in 2nd st, DC across, end with 2 DC in top of ch 3 (51 total dc plus ch 2)
  • row 2: CH 1, *SC in 1st st, DC, TC, DTC, DC, SC, repeat from * across, end on top of ch 2
    • my row ended with a DTC, just continue the repeat pattern as needed – it’s very flexible
  • row 3: CH stitches to match your final stitch of row 2 (1 for sc, 2 for dc, 3 for tc, 4 for tdc), turn, continue row 2’s pattern along row 3 (SC, DC, TC, DTC, DC, SC), end with 2 stitches in final st
  • Continue this large barnacle pattern as far as desired. I did a total of 8 barnacle rows
  • When you are done with barnacles, it’s time to even out the row.On top of dc stitches, put SC. On top of sc, put DC. On top of the tc and dtc, put HDC. (The barnacle order was SC, DC, TC, DTC, DC, SC.) To even this, the pattern is DC, SC, HDC, HDC, HDC, SC.
  • I followed this with a row of DC and a row of TC.

 

At this point, the shawl can become a “choose your own adventure.” You’ve tried the various shell-themed stitches. There is an optional “bridge” section listed below. This has a 6 row repeat and is a bit more complicated than the shell stitch options already listed. It reminds me of the lovely arched bridges throughout the city of Dublin. There is also a slightly challenging optional “wave section” listed.

 

Feed your creativity and explore the endless possibilities. Switch up the Color B stitches  and intersperse them with a myriad of Color A solid stripes. Continue to increase on one side so the triangle grows. Have fun!

 

 

For curious minds, I followed this pattern:

Color A – HDC row, FLO DC row, BLO TC row

Color B – DC row, bridge section

            bridge stitch (description starts from a foundation chain – worked in multiples of 8 sts + 1):

  • Row 1: SC in 3rd ch from hook, SC in next ch, * CH 5, skip 3 ch, 1 SC in each of next 5 ch, repeat from *, end with 1 SC in each of last 3 ch, turn
  • Row 2: CH 2, skip first 2 sc, * SC in next sc, 9 TR in ch 5 sp, SC in next sc, CH 2, skip 3 sc, repeat from *, end with CH 1, skip 1 sc, SC in ch 1, turn
  • Row 3: CH 8, skip (first sc, 1 ch, 1 sc, 3 tr), * 1 SC in each of next 3 tr (center 3 or 9), CH 3, skip (3 tr, 1 sc), 1 DTR in ch 2 sp, CH 3, skip (1 sc, 3 tr), repeat from *, end with DTR under ch 2, turn
  • Row 4: CH 4, skip first dtr, * SC in ch 3 sp, 1 SC in each of 3 sc, SC in ch 3 sp, CH 5, skip 1 dtr, repeat from *, end with 1 SC in each of last 3 sc, 1 SC under ch 8, CH 3, SC in 5th of 8 ch, turn
  • Row 5: CH 4, skip first sc, 4 TR in ch 3 sp, * SC in next sc, CH 2, skip 3 sc, SC in next sc, 9 TR in ch 5 sp, repeat from *, end with 5 TR under ch 4, turn
  • Row 6: CH 1, skip first tr, SC in next tr, * CH 3, skip (3 tr, 1 sc), 1 DTR in ch 2 sp, CH 3, skip (1 sc, 3 tr), 1 SC in each of next 3 tr, repeat from *, end with SC in last tr, SC in 4th of ch 4, turn
  • Row 7: CH 1, skip first sc, SC in next sc * SC in ch 3 sp, CH 5, skip 1 dtr, SC in next ch 3 sp, 1 SC in each of 3 sc, repeat from *, end with SC in last sc, SC in ch 1, turn
  • repeat rows 2-7. I ended my bridge section on a Row 6 so I had a straight edge to build my Color A stripe on.

 

Color A – DC row, TC row, BLO DC row, HDC row

Color B – smell shells (16 rows total)

Color A – DC row, BLO DC row, FLO TC row, HDC row

Color B – peacock fans (20 rows total)

Color A – DC row, DC row, BLO TC row, HDC row

Color B – large shell section

Color A – DC row, TC row

 

COLOR A – Wave section

description starts from a foundation change (multiple of 12 sts+ 1 – add 2 for foundation ch)

Note that this is easy to fudge and make work if your stitch counts don’t line up perfectly. I increased this on one edge to continue my expanding triangular shape.

TR = Treble Crochet

TOG = together

 

Row 1: 3 DC TOG over 4th, 5th, and 6th ch from hook * 1 CH, (1 TR in next ch, 1 CH) twice, (1 TR, 1 CH, 1 TR) in next ch, (1 CH, 1 TR in next ch) twice, 1 CH , 7 DC TOG over next 7 ch, repeat from *, ending 4 DC TOC over last 4 ch, turn

Row 2: 3 CH, skip first group, 1 DC in ch sp, * (1 DC in tr, 1 DC in 1 ch sp) 5 times, 1 DC in next tr, 2 DC TOG, inserting hook in next 2 ch sps (skipping top group), repeat from *, ending 2 DOC TOG over last ch sp and top of last group, turn

Row 3: 3 CH, skip top of group, 3 DC TOG over next 3 dc, * 1 CH, (1 TR in next dc, 1 CH) twice, (1 TR, 1 CH, 1 TR) in next dc, (1 CH, 1 TR in next dc) twice, 1 CH, 7 DC TOG over next 7 sts, repeat from * ending 4 DC TOG over last 4 tr, turn

repeat rows 2 and 3

 

 

We at Pindrop Shop would LOVE to see your completed Molly Malone shawl! Please share your projects with us. I hope you had as much fun creating this shawl as I had writing the pattern! Have a lovely day!

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