Grab your favorite color of Shawl in a Ball by Lion brand to create this fun shawl that looks like it’s full of tiny ladders. All you need is one ball to make this pretty triangle. The pattern is a super-simple 2 row repeat, so once you get the hang of it, it’s a great project to travel with, or to just sit and make while watching TV or chatting with friends. Use more or less yarn to make it larger or smaller.
The yarn used in this pattern was provided by Lion Brand Yarn.
You can now find a video to help with this easy pattern HERE.
Ball of Ladders
Crochet Pattern
Easy Skill Level
Designed by Jessie Rayot
Size:
56″ x 25″
Yarn:
Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball, worsted weight, 150 g/518 yds
Lotus Blossom 304 – 1 skein
Hook:
US-J, 6.00mm
Gauge:
14 sts x 7 rows = 4” [10 cm] in dc
Other supplies:
Yarn needle
Stitches and Abbreviations:
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
sp(s) – space(s)
st(s) – stitch(es)
Pattern:
Row 1: Ch 4 (counts as ch-1 and dc), (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in first ch made. {4 dc}
Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as first dc and ch 1), turn, dc in same st, ch 1, skip 1, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2, ch 1, skip 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in last st. {8 dc}
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn, 2 dc in same st, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp to ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp until 1 st remains, 3 dc in last st. {20 dc}
Row 4: Ch 4 (counts as first dc and ch 1), turn, dc in same st, ch 1, skip 1, (dc in next st, ch 1, skip 1) to ch-2 corner, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2, ch 1, skip 1, (dc in next st, ch 1, skip 1) until 1 st remains, (dc, ch 1, dc) in last st. {16 dc}
Row 5: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn, 2 dc in same dc and ch-1 sp, dc in each st to ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp until 1 st remains, 3 dc in last st. – {36 dc}
Repeat rows 4 and 5 to desired size, or until there is not enough yarn for another repeat – stitch counts will increase with each repeat.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Wear or give and enjoy!
If you enjoy this free crochet pattern, please consider buying some of your supplies from one of these affiliate links. Thank you.
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How many chain to start?
4
Sweet pattern!
Have done a lot of crocheting and your pattern is very unclear.. Row 2in ch-2 what? space? Most patterns are VERY much more clear.
in the ch-2, yes that’s a space.
The YouTube video was very helpful…..
Thank you for doing the video. It is very clear and easy to follow!
Do you have an easy way to calculate how many stiches/DCs there should be at the end of each row? I am using a yarn that is very difficult to see actual stitches and the only way I will be able to make this accurately is to make sure my counts are correct at the end of each row.
Every odd row will be 16 sts longer than the previous odd row.
thanksfor the stitch count for dbl crochet stitches at the end of the odd rows. Sorry but could you also give me # of stitches for the even rows too?odd rows change by 16 more and even rows would change by ????
I haven’t done the math, but if your odd rows are right and you are following the pattern, you should be fine.
this pattern is NOT printer-friendly, I had to print 13 pages just to get the pattern!
Did you buy the printer friendly, ad-free PDF, or did you just try to print the blog post? The PDF is only 4 pages.
I had to laugh. I have that problem with many patterns, and have learned to count the pages that I want printed. Sometimes I do a copy and paste. However, WHERE IS THE VIDEO? The pattern should be easy with a two-row repeat, but a few places were confusing.
https://www.jessieathome.com/stitchopedia/ball-of-ladders-video/
Thank you so much, Jessie. Got it! I followed along, but I used velvet yarn, too thick. I’ll make your beautiful pattern with the velvet baby yarn, a 4-weight.
In case you didn’t know, Lion Brand has cut the size of their balls from 518 to 481 yards, nearly 120 feet less. You WILL run out of yarn!
Oh, dear!!!
Is there an easy way to adjust this pattern to compensate for the change in yardage?
If you read the pattern you will see that you can end it at any time, so you don’t need to worry if your yardage is different. Just know it will be bigger or smaller then mine if your yardage or gauge are different.
OMG! The pattern’s of shawl is sooo beautiful! I have a pink and grey colours angora yarn and this pattern will be the best for it! Thank you very much!
Marianne
How so you start?
With Row 1.
Man some of you guys…..like asking for a ride and wanting to drive…..enjoy the beautiful free pattern !
I am working on this pattern and figured it out after a couple tries, realizing no where does it say to “turn your work.” At first I thought it was worked in the round (the way it’s written) but it is meant to be worked in rows, right? It’s a great looking project. Thanks!
Yes, as it is Rows, not Rnds, you do turn. I write both knit and crochet patterns, and you write “turn” in crochet but not in knit, so sometimes I forget to write it in crochet. I’ll add it in. Thank you for pointing that out!
One thing I noticed when working this is that it is slightly unclear when it states to “dc in each st to ch 2” how to get the exact stitch count.
It wasnt until a little thinking that I realized you meant stitching into the chains from previous rows ch1 as well!
It may be a welcomed addition to the pattern just to clarify it (in a parenthesis perhaps?). Or maybe it’s just me, I’m a little new to reading patterns 🙂
Either way it’s beautiful and the only pattern I will ever use to create a shawl.
I just gave it a little TLC – it’s also still on my update list.
I’m starting my 2nd shawl this week with this pattern. The clarifications you just made are PERFECT. It’s a beautiful pattern. Thank you.
Thank you. I should have taken a good look at this pattern sooner. I’m still planning on giving it some TLC to be sure I didn’t miss anything else.
Your pattern makes such a pretty, simple shawl. I have made four so far for family and friends. My daughter suggested I should make some and try to sell them. Is it ok to sell items that I make with your pattern? Thank you.
Thank you so much! I’m glad you’re getting so much use from the pattern. You’re welcome to sell finished items made from my patterns, I just ask that you give me designer credit, and a link to the design if possible. I’m sure you know, but I always say it to be safe, my pattern can not be sold or copied for others, I keep that right, but selling finished items is all good. I hope you’re very successful with your sales! <3
I am finishing shawl #8 – so far all have been claimed! I was reading previous comments and this is what I did when I made my first shawl to help me keep my stitch count: Each solid dc row increases by 8 stitches on each side (18, 26, 34,etc) and each filet row by 4dc on each side (12, 16, 20, etc.). I have the numbers listed so I can easily see if my count is off. I found it easier to count each side to the middle, and if I had to correct, less unraveling! I don’t bother counting anymore unless the filet row doesn’t work (usually when I’m tired). Your pattern is so relaxing to work on and I can work a shawl quite quickly which is good for me since I usually crochet mornings before chores and evenings after dinner. I did change the first row to ch3 to start with since it seems to be the first solid dc row.
There was a comment about the Shawl in a Ball being only 481 yards now. I had some skeins that are 518yds and newer skeins that are 481 – I have enough yarn and still leftover with the smaller skeins. I end up on a solid row of 130 st (260 full row) the only difference is that with the larger skein I could get a filet row to end if I wanted but neither will let me get to another solid (276dc side) row.
I love your pattern and everyone who has received one does, too, and asked for other colors! I still do hope to try to sell some and will certainly credit you, they are so fun to make!
Thank you for this lovely pattern.
I love this! Thank you. 🙂