Dragon Belly Shawl from an Easy Mijo Crochet Pattern

Since I have been spending so much more time at home, I figured I should get back into crochet. I hadn’t taken up any crochet projects since I had cataract surgery. Because I went from being near-sighted to far-sighted, I figured it would take some adjusting, and I was right. I used to take my glasses off to crochet, and now I have to put on reading glasses. But a friend who visited several years ago, left behind a pair of half lens readers, and I have found that they are pretty terrific for watching TV and crocheting at the same time.

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Because I was rusty at crochet, I wanted to try an easy pattern. A few years ago, I discovered the patterns of an incredibly talented crocheter and pattern maker from Sweden, Johanna Lindhal. Her website, Mijo Crochet, as well as her Ravelry page, are loaded with gorgeous crochet patterns from easy to advanced, some free and some modestly priced. She writes her patterns in Swedish and has them translated in at least 10, if not more, languages including English. Perhaps because they are translated from Swedish to English, I sometimes have a hard time following her patterns, but they are worth persevering because they are so darn gorgeous. Two years ago, I posted my attempt at her famous Lost In Time shawl. It may not have been perfect, but I think it is stunning. I would say that pattern is for those who have some experience crocheting and reading patterns. However, in one of the crochet groups I belong to on Facebook devoted to Mijo Crochet patterns, a number of beginners chose the Lost In Time shawl as their first project! I am in awe of them.

At any rate, I wanted an easy project so I chose her free Dragon Belly shawl pattern. Once you get started, the shawl is made up of only two rows alternated. The key stitches are double crochet and front post double crochet. The front post double crochet helps form the ridges or dragon scales on one side. The trim is made up of single crochet and slip stitches. I used a size 4.0 hook to crochet the shawl, and a 4.5 hook on the border.

The shawl can be worn traditionally to keep you back and shoulders warm or wrapped around the neck as a big scarf.

Lindhal is a fan of yarn from the Dutch brand, Scheepjes, and their high quality yarns have made me a fan too. For the Dragon Belly shawl, I bought one ball of cotton/acrylic Scheepjes Whirl (Whirl is a “cake” yarn that changes color throughout), and this shade that goes from cool-toned red/brown through to deep purple is called Tasty Nom Nom. The yarn is lightweight, soft, hand washable, and perfect for cool summer evenings, rooms with too much air-conditioning, or for spring and fall wear.

After I finished crocheting the shawl, I blocked it so that the sides would be straighter and the stitches more defined.

To block the shawl, I plunged it into cold water and gently squeezed it out. I put a bunch of towels, each folded in half on the rug in my bedroom, and I laid it out on the tables and straightened each of the three sides. Then I used straight pins every couple of inches to keep the shawl in place. I left it to dry for about 24 hours, and then removed the pins. The blocking definitely improved the look of the shawl.

I decided to gift this shawl to my friend in New York, Mary Kay, who is a fan of all things purple. I hope that the shawl has enough real purple in it for her taste. It’s going to be a surprise, and I hope she likes it.

Tassels at the three points of the shawl are optional, but I decided to add them. In case you want to make some tassels for a knitting, crochet, sewing, or home decorating project, here’s how you make a tassel.

• Wrap yarn around a stiff piece of cardboard or plastic. I usually wrap mine around 50 times, but it doesn’t have to be exact. The number of wraps also depends on the size of the tassel you want to make. These were pretty big, about 6 inches long.

• Slip a piece of yarn, about 8 or more inches long, under the wrapped yarn at the top, and tie a double knot in the yarn. This become the yarn that you will use to attach your tassel.
• Cut the wrapped yarn at the bottom of the cardboard. Try to cut it straight, but you can always go back and even it out afterwards.

• Remove the emerging tassel from the cardboard, and smooth the yarn. About an inch down from the top, slip another piece of yarn about 6 inches long around the yarn to create the “bulb” at the top of the tassel. Tie the yarn tightly/make a double knot, and cut off the remaining yarn carefully near the knot.

• Now your tassel is made, and it is ready to be attached to whatever you are making.

I enjoyed making this shawl so much that I am making another one for myself in brighter colors that I love. The Scheepjes Whirl that I’m using this time is called Turkish Delight. The shades go from a raspberry to pink to lavender to ivory to bright purple.

Are you a crocheter? If so, is the Dragon Belly a pattern that you might try?

Allison Cohen

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