Free Crochet Shawl: No Stopping Me Now

Originally published July 2015 · Updated August 2026 with full framework refresh, updated yarn alternatives, and updated materials list.

The No Stopping Me Now free crochet shawl pattern is an original design by Marly Bird, created as a free giveaway for the first-ever Marly Bird Meet and Greet at the Knit and Crochet Show in 2015. This triangle shawl begins at the center top and grows through a beautiful shell and cluster stitch repeat, using two colorways of color-changing yarn alternated every two rows. Finished wingspan: approximately 41½ inches.

Hey, bestie 💛 This shawl holds such a sweet spot in my heart… it was the very pattern I created as a free giveaway for my very first Marly Bird Meet and Greet at the Knit and Crochet Show back in 2015. I spent time in the studio experimenting with stitch combinations and color-changing yarn until this shell pattern clicked into place. The moment I started alternating Bistro and Winery every two rows and watching those colors pool and shift together, I knew this one was something special. I named it “No Stopping Me Now” because once you cast on, there’s genuinely no putting it down.

Jump to the pattern →

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Why You’ll Love This Pattern 💖

🎨 The color-changing yarn does the heavy lifting. You alternate between two colorways every two rows, and the yarn takes care of the rest. No complex color planning, no intarsia, no extra ends for each color section… just beautiful, organic gradient color that looks completely intentional when the shawl is finished.

🧵 A simple stitch repeat that grows into something show-stopping. The whole pattern is built on just two special stitches — a cluster (CL) and a shell made of clusters. Once you work the first two rows, the repeat clicks into place… and then it’s just satisfying row after row of shells growing wider and more beautiful with every pass.

📐 You decide when to stop. This shawl has one of the most flexible sizing systems of any design I’ve made. Continue repeating Rows 4 and 5 until the shawl is exactly the size you want, or until you run out of yarn. One ball of each color makes the sample… more yarn makes a bigger wrap. It really is that simple.

This pattern is a great fit for intermediate crocheters who are comfortable with basic stitches and ready to add a cluster to their toolkit. You’ll come away knowing how to construct a classic triangle shawl from the center top down, how to work a clean two-color yarn alternation, and how to use wet blocking to really open up a shell stitch lace pattern.

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Quick Pattern Overview

🔢 Construction: Top-center-down triangle shawl with increases at the beginning, middle, and end of each right-side row. The shawl begins with a magic loop and grows naturally with each row repeat — even if you’ve never worked a magic loop before, it’s a quick technique to pick up and gives you a perfectly clean, tight center.

🎨 Color story: Two balls of Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable — Bistro (cool blues and purples) and Winery (warm pinks and burgundies) — alternated every two rows. The color change happens at the end of each Row 4, keeping transitions seamless and clean throughout.

📏 Finished size: Approximately 20 inches (50 cm) long at the center, with a wingspan of 41½ inches (105.4 cm). The finished sample used one full ball of each colorway. Want a larger shawl? Keep repeating Rows 4 and 5 until you’re happy with the size, then end on a Row 4.

📊 Stitch chart available! A free visual stitch chart for this pattern is available here on the blog — perfect if you prefer working from a visual map alongside the written instructions.

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The Magic of Color-Changing Yarn 🌈

Self-striping yarn sounds simple, but using two different color-changing colorways and alternating every two rows creates a layered gradient that you simply cannot get from a single skein.

Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable is one of those yarns that practically designs the color work for you… it’s self-striping, so the color shifts gradually through each skein as you work. In the original colorways, Bistro moves through cool blues and purples while Winery shifts through warm pinks and burgundies. When you alternate them every two rows, the colors interweave into something that feels almost painterly.

Here’s the part I love most: because each ball pools differently depending on where you are in the color repeat, no two skeins look exactly alike. Which means no two No Stopping Me Now shawls will ever be quite the same, either. Your finished shawl is truly one of a kind.

You can absolutely substitute a different self-striping or gradient yarn in this pattern — the yarn alternatives section below has several current favorites that work beautifully with this stitch. The key is choosing a worsted-weight yarn with good drape, so the shells can really open up and show their shape.

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Yarn & Materials

The original pattern uses Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable — a 100% acrylic worsted weight yarn with gorgeous long-repeat self-striping colorways. You’ll need one ball of Bistro #3944 and one ball of Winery #3955 (269 yards / 246m, 100g / 3.5 oz per ball), available at Yarnspirations and major craft retailers.

Yarn Alternatives

Any worsted-weight self-striping or gradient yarn works beautifully with this pattern. Here are some of my current favorites:

🧶 Red Heart Unforgettable — the original yarn for this pattern and still a top recommendation. Long color repeats and smooth acrylic drape make it ideal for this stitch.

🧶 Mary Maxim Prism Yarn — a beautiful self-striping option with similar color-changing behavior and a worsted weight that suits this stitch pattern beautifully.

🧶 Premier Colorfusion DK — slightly lighter than worsted for a drapier, more delicate result. Go up to a G or H hook and expect a lovely open fabric with a bit more flow.

🧶 Premier Puzzle Yarn — a bit thicker than worsted, which creates a cozy, oversized version of this shawl with gorgeous color pooling. Great if you want a bigger statement wrap.

🧶 Facets by Loops & Threads — available at Michaels, budget-friendly, and the color-changing effect works wonderfully in this pattern. A great option for a make-it-today project.

Notions

• Crochet Hook H-8 (5mm) — or size needed for gauge
• Tapestry / yarn needle for weaving in ends
• Blocking mats
• Blocking pins
• Eucalan wool wash for wet blocking

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Video Tutorials

New to weaving in ends on a shawl with multiple color changes? This quick video walks you through exactly how to bury those ends so they stay put through washing and wearing:

Want to work from a visual stitch chart? The free No Stopping Me Now stitch chart is on the blog and maps out the shell repeat clearly.

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No Stopping Me Now || Pattern Details

Skill Level

Intermediate

Measurements

Finished sample is approx. 20" (50 cm) long at center, 41 ½" (105.4 cm) wingspan.

Materials

Yarn — Red Heart Boutique “Unforgettable” (100% acrylic, 269 yds / 246m, 100g / 3.5 oz):

Bistro #3944 (A) – 1 ball • Winery #3955 (B) – 1 ball • Or colors of your choice

Hook — Size H-8 (5mm) or size required for gauge

Gauge

Rows 1–6 of Shawl = 3" (7.5 cm) long at center and 6 ½" (16.5 cm) across

4 shells = 4 ¼" (10.8 cm) across in Shawl pattern

Not sure how to check gauge for a crochet project? My free gauge swatch tutorial and worksheet walks you through it step by step.

Notes

To change colors, work last st of row to final yo, yo with new color and complete last st.

Special Stitches

CL (cluster): * Yo, pull up a loop in indicated st, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, rep from * once more, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook.

Shell: CL, (ch 2, CL) twice all in same st or sp.

📊 The free crochet stitch chart for this pattern is at marlybird.com/no-stopping-me-now-shawl-crochet-chart/.

Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Meaning
beg	begin(ning)
ch	chain
dc	double crochet
rep	repeat
RS	right side
sc	single crochet
st	stitch
tr	triple (treble) crochet
WS	wrong side
Yo	yarn over

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No Stopping Me Now || Pattern Instructions

Using A, and a magic loop.

Row 1 (WS): Ch 7, (counts as 1 tr and 3 ch), (dc, ch 3, 2 tr, ch 3, dc, ch 3, tr) all in magic loop, turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first tr, shell (see Special Stitches) in next dc, sc in each of 2 center tr, shell in next dc, sc in 4^th ch of beg ch-7 of previous row, changing to B in last st, turn.

Row 3: Ch 7 (counts as 1 tr and 3 ch), dc in first sc, ch 3, sc in center CL of shell, ch 3, (dc, ch 3, tr) in next sc, (tr, ch 3, dc) in next sc, ch 3, sc in center CL of shell, ch 3, (dc, ch 3, tr), turn.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first tr, shell in next dc, * sc in next sc, shell in next dc; rep from * to 2 center tr, sc in each of 2 center tr, shell in next dc, rep between * and * to end, sc in 4^th ch of beg ch-7 of previous row, changing to next color in last st, turn.

Row 5: Ch 7 (counts as 1 tr and 3 ch), * dc in sc, ch 3, sc in center CL of shell, ch 3; rep from * to 2 center sc, (dc, ch 3, tr) in next sc, (tr, ch 3, dc) in next sc, ch 3, sc in center CL of shell, ch 3, rep between * and * to last sc, (dc, ch 3, tr), turn.

Rep Rows 4 and 5 only, changing colors every 2 rows, until yarn is used up or piece measures desired size. Ending on a row 4.

Finishing

Weave in ends. Wash and block piece to really open up the lace or leave as it is for an equally beautiful shawl.

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Blocking Your Shawl

Blocking makes a remarkable difference with this pattern… the shell stitches really open up and show their lace-like structure once they’ve been soaked and pinned. Even though Red Heart Unforgettable is acrylic, it responds beautifully to wet blocking — the stitches relax and the drape improves noticeably.

To block: soak the finished shawl in cool water with a small amount of wool wash for about 20 minutes. Gently squeeze out the water (don’t wring!), lay flat on blocking mats, and pin the wingspan and center point to measurements using blocking pins. Allow to dry completely before removing pins.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the No Stopping Me Now shawl pattern really free?

Yes! The No Stopping Me Now shawl pattern is completely free here on MarlyBird.com. The full written pattern — including all special stitches, row-by-row instructions, and finishing details — is right on this page. A free stitch chart is also available at marlybird.com/no-stopping-me-now-shawl-crochet-chart/.

What yarn does the No Stopping Me Now shawl use?

The original pattern uses Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable yarn in two colorways — Bistro and Winery — one ball of each (269 yards / 246m, 100g / 3.5 oz per ball). It is a 100% acrylic worsted weight self-striping yarn. The long color repeats create a beautiful gradient effect when you switch colorways every two rows.

What crochet skill level is this shawl pattern?

This pattern is best suited for intermediate crocheters. You need to be comfortable with single crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet, and the pattern introduces two special stitches: a cluster (CL) and a shell made from clusters. If you have worked a cluster stitch before, you are ready for this one!

How do I change colors in this shawl?

You change colors at the end of each Row 4 (or Row 2 in the first repeat). Work the last stitch to the final yarn over, then yarn over with the new color and complete the stitch. This creates a clean, seamless color join. You can then carry the unused yarn loosely along the edge or cut and weave in ends — both methods work well with Unforgettable's smooth acrylic fiber.

Can I make this shawl bigger or smaller?

Absolutely! The shawl is completely size-flexible. For a larger shawl, continue repeating Rows 4 and 5 with extra yarn — no changes to the stitch pattern needed. For a smaller shawlette, stop a few repeats early. The only rule: always end on a Row 4 for a clean finished edge.

What hook size should I use for this crochet shawl?

The pattern calls for a size H-8 (5mm) crochet hook, or the size needed to achieve gauge. Gauge for this pattern: Rows 1-6 measure 3 inches long at center and 6.5 inches across; 4 shells measure 4.25 inches across in the shawl pattern. Adjust your hook size up or down as needed to match gauge.

Is there a stitch chart available for this pattern?

Yes! A free crochet stitch chart for the No Stopping Me Now shawl is available on the blog at marlybird.com/no-stopping-me-now-shawl-crochet-chart/. The chart maps out the shell repeat visually and is especially helpful for crocheters who prefer working from a visual guide alongside the written pattern.

Final Thoughts

The No Stopping Me Now Shawl is one of those patterns that proves beautiful things don’t have to be complicated. Two balls of yarn, one simple stitch repeat, and you end up with a shawl that looks like you planned every color shift with intention. That’s the magic of self-striping yarn… and of a stitch pattern that simply gets out of the yarn’s way and lets it shine.

This pattern has been in my heart since 2015 and I am still completely delighted every time I see someone make it. I love how many versions exist in the world now… every single one unique because of the way the color-changing yarn works differently in every pair of skeins.

If you make one, please please please share it! Tag me @marlybird on Instagram or Facebook and use #MMMDI (Marly Made Me Do It), #MarlyBird, or #NoStoppingMeNow so I can find it and cheer you on. 💛

Written pattern copyright Marly Bird 2015, all rights reserved. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share it with others. Thank you to Red Heart Yarns for providing the yarn for the original sample!

❤️ Your BiCrafty Bestie,
Marly Bird