Mesa Trail Crochet Shawl Pattern Free

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If you are looking for a quick and easy shawl that’s as cozy as it is pretty, then you don’t need to look any further than the Mesa Trails Crochet Shawl Pattern. With simple stitch combinations and gorgeous yarn, this shawl is perfect for wrapping up in chilly weather.

There’s something magical about a project that captures the spirit of the desert—warm tones, shifting textures, and a rhythm that feels both grounding and adventurous. The Mesa Trails Crochet Shawl is inspired by sun-drenched landscapes, winding canyon paths, and the peaceful stillness that settles in just before dusk.

This shawl is a journey in stitches. With a mix of simple techniques and striking texture, it’s the kind of project that’s relaxing to work on but never boring. Whether you’re wrapping it around your shoulders for a cool evening walk or draping it as a statement piece, the Mesa Trails Shawl brings a little bit of that wide-open beauty wherever you go.

Keep reading for all the details and the free online version of the pattern, or you can purchase the ad-free PDF version here.

Related: Cedar Lakes Easy Shawl Pattern

Stitches

This simple shawl uses alternating sections of the crunch stitch and half double crochet rows. Have you worked the Crunch Stitch before? It’s a simple stitch pattern that creates so much interest and texture to the fabric.

The crunch stitch pattern is made with half double crochets and slip stitches that alternate. On the next row, you alternate them again, putting slip stitches in the half double crochets below and half double crochets in the slip stitches of the row below.

If that sounds complicated, don’t worry, it isn’t, and I have a full Crunch Stitch Tutorial that will show you how to do it step by step.

Related: Cedar Arches Rectangular Shawl Pattern

Yarn

Mighty Stitch, available from KnitPicks & WeCrochet, is a gorgeous Acrylic and Superwash Wool Blend. It’s soft, easy to work with, and has a slight sheen that makes the stitches pop.

Any worsted-weight yarn that is soft and has good drape should work for this shawl. I included a couple of options below that are wool-acrylic blends.

Related: Pine Gap Pocket Shawl

Skill Level

This shawl crochet pattern is rated at an Easy Skill level. It takes basic stitches: chains, half double crochet stitches, and slip stitches, to make this lovely wrap.

Mesa Trail Free Crochet Shawl Pattern

Skill Level: Easy

Gauge: 4” x 4”= 20 rows by 16 sts (taken in crunch stitch pattern)

Finished Size: 62” L x 20” W

Supplies

US size K/10.5, 6.5 mm crochet hook

Mighty Stitch Yarn by KnitPicks (Category 4, Worsted Weight, 80% Acrylic, 20% Superwash Wool, 3.5 oz/100 g, 208 yds/190m)

• Sample used approximately 1325 yds (22.29 oz) in the color Palimino

Large Eye Yarn Needle

Scissors

Abbreviations

ch: chain
tc: turning chain (the chain 1 or chain 2 at the start of the previous row)
sp: space
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
st(s): stitch(es)

Notes

This simple shawl is worked by alternating a section of rows worked in the crunch stitch with a smaller section of rows worked in half double crochets.

The crunch stitch is worked by alternating half double crochets and slip stitches. On the next rows, you’ll work the slip stitches in the half double crochets below and half double crochets in the slip stitches of the row below. For a full tutorial on the crunch stitch please visit the Crunch Stitch Tutorial.

The ch 1 at the beginning of the all hdc rows does not count as a stitch.

The ch 2 (also referred to as the turning chain) at the beginning of the crunch stitch rows does count as a stitch. To adjust the size of the shawl, you’ll want to keep your starting chain a multiple of 2+1. To make it longer, you’ll add 26 rows (about 6.5”) at a time to keep the stitch pattern consistent.

Pattern Instructions

Ch 81

Row 1: Sl st in 3^rd ch from hook, (skipped chs count as a st here and throughout), *hdc, sl st, repeat from * ending with a sl st in the last ch, turn. (80)

Rows 2-23: Ch 2, skip the 1^st st, *sl st in the next hdc, hdc in the next sl st, repeat from * ending with a sl st in the top of the turning chain. (80)

Rows 24-26: Ch 1, hdc in each st. (80)

Rows 27-49: Ch 2, skip the 1^st st, *sl st, hdc, repeat from * ending with a sl st in the top of the turning chain. (80)

Rows 50-52: Ch 1, hdc in each st. (80)

Rows 53-75: Ch 2, skip the 1^st st, *sl st, hdc, repeat from * ending with a sl st in the top of the turning chain. (80)

Rows 76-78: Ch 1, hdc in each st. (80)

Rows 79-101: Ch 2, skip the 1^st st, *sl st, hdc, repeat from * ending with a sl st in the top of the turning chain. (80)

Rows 102-104: Ch 1, hdc in each st. (80)

Rows 105-127: Ch 2, skip the 1^st st, *sl st, hdc, repeat from * ending with a sl st in the top of the turning chain. (80)

Rows 128-130: Ch 1, hdc in each st. (80)

Rows 131-153: Ch 2, skip the 1^st st, *sl st, hdc, repeat from * ending with a sl st in the top of the turning chain. (80)

Rows 154-156: Ch 1, hdc in each st. (80)

Rows 157-179: Ch 2, skip the 1^st st, *sl st, hdc, repeat from * ending with a sl st in the top of the turning chain. (80)

Rows 180-182: Ch 1, hdc in each st. (80)

Rows 183-205: Ch 2, skip the 1^st st, *sl st, hdc, repeat from * ending with a sl st in the top of the turning chain. (80)

Rows 206-208: Ch 1, hdc in each st. (80)

Rows 209-231: Ch 2, skip the 1^st st, *sl st, hdc, repeat from * ending with a sl st in the top of the turning chain. (80)

Rows 232-234: Ch 1, hdc in each st. (80)

Rows 235-257: Ch 2, skip the 1^st st, *sl st, hdc, repeat from * ending with a sl st in the top of the turning chain. (80)

Rows 258-260: Ch 1, hdc in each st. (80)

Rows 261-283: Ch 2, skip the 1^st st, *sl st, hdc, repeat from * ending with a sl st in the top of the turning chain. (80) Fasten off and weave in ends.