New Project Spotlight: Secret Paths Crochet Shawl

Today’s New Project Spotlight shines the light on the Secret Paths Shawl designed by Johanna Lindahl over at Mijo Crochet. Have you ever eyed a project on Pinterest for what seems like forever, and finally one day you stumble over the actual pattern? Well, that’s the case for today’s project. And a happy stumble it was.

I saw a version of the Secret Paths shawl done in Mandala yarn in the color way Warlock. This is the one that would consistently catch my attention every single time I saw it. So that’s what I also made it in.

What You’ll Need (or what I used) for the Secret Paths Shawl

Approximately 1.5 skeins of Lion Brand Mandala yarn (590 yards/skein, 100% acrylic, 3-weight yarn) in the colorway Warlock
US-H hook
Scissors
Yarn Needle
Secret Paths shawl pattern from Johanna Lindahl at Mijo Crochet

The pattern works up remarkably easy and the self-striping yarn is amazing. Talk about a cornucopia of fall color! My final dimensions were 64″ across (wingspan) by 30″ wide (at the point).

The stitches are mostly easy if you’ve been crocheting for a little while. Your typical triples, doubles, half doubles, and singles, with some back post and front post stitches, a popcorn, and a puff stitch thrown in for additional texture.

Can I just say how much I absolutely L.O.V.E this shawl?!!

How to keep track of where you’re at in a pattern

I also wanted to share how I keep track of which row I’m on, especially if I have to set the project down. I do this with most patterns where I need to pay a reasonable amount of attention to the rows.

I’ve read some people will use a page protector and use a dry erase marker to mark off rows. That seems like it would work well. And then they “erase” their tick marks once they’ve completed the pattern allowing them to re-use it that way again and again.

I’ve done something similar with the actual pattern page, using a pencil to mark off rows, but if you remake the pattern numerous times, like I did with this Sidewalk Shawl, the tick marks and wear-and-tear on the pattern takes a toll on the paper. Now I use a little handheld paper notebook in conjunction with the pattern pages. For full disclosure, it’s actually a notebook my Grandpa used to use. He had dozens of them, and I’ve been lucky enough to inherit one. It’s the small things, right?

I write down the row numbers 1, 2, 3 and so on in a column. If a series of rows are repeats of other rows, say rows 6, 7, and 8 are repeats of 1, 2, and 3, then I start a second column writing 6, 7, and 8 next to 1, 2, and 3. The picture above probably explains it better. The subscripts (those little number written on the bottom portion of a row) is my stitch count as I complete that row….if I’m keeping track of it. Some patterns I don’t, but others I do, and this was one where I did.

So for example, rows 9, 13, 19, 23 and 27 are all a repeat of row 5. Row 9’s ending stitch count is 33. Row 13’s is 39, and so on.

Final Thoughts on the Secret Paths crochet shawl

This is definitely a pattern you should add to your to-do list of projects. Johanna’s Mijo Crochet Ravelry account also shows the pattern made in other colorways. Any self-striping yarn would look good. Heck, even a tweed or a beautiful ivory color. The options are so endless with this one!

What’s a shawl pattern you would recommend? You know I’m always excited to try out new patterns. Drop me a comment below. I’d love to hear about your favorite. You never know, you might just see it showcased here!

Thank you to Johanna Lindahl of Mijo Crochet for sharing the Secret Paths crochet shawl.

Did you like today’s New Project Spotlight? If so, check out these other projects:

Wanna learn more about this series? Read my New Project Spotlight series welcome article.

Have a pattern you’d like to see featured? Drop me a note in the comments!

In addition to several of my crochet boards on Pinterest, you might also check out my Made It, Did It, Tried It board, chuck full of a random assortment of projects, places, recipes and more that I’ve tried and liked.

Are you an awesome crochet artist with a design you’d like to see featured here? If so, leave me a note in the comments.