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) 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), 2 dc in same st, dc in each st to ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in each st until 1 st remains, 3 dc in last st. – {20 dc}
Row 4: Ch 4 (counts as first dc and ch 1) 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), 2 dc in same st, dc in each st to ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in each st 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 !