I do a ton of the half granny and it's super easy. Mary

Here is a link that might be useful: Half granny shawl

The easiest is a really basic "pattern" (the kind you learn about in math class) that works in either knit or crochet. The first complete row should have 3 stitches. In subsequent right-side rows, increase 1 at the beginning and end of the row (so, the 3rd row has 5 stitches, the 5th has 7 etc.) Does that make sense?

That sounds like the half granny I posted and that site has an excellent tutorial on it, each row increases so you start at the point and work out until it's wide enough. The sideways shell afghan is nice too but that's in a book and I don't know if there is a free tutorial online for that one but it's also a triangle. Mary!

Here is another 'from the bottom up' shawl that is one of my favorites. Go to the link below - that's where the instructions are, and there's a link in that posting that takes you to a picture.

Here is a link that might be useful: Filet Shawl