Cotton Shrug Knitting Pattern, Free

Simple summer cotton shrug knitting pattern using loose knit stockinette stitches. You can’t go wrong with this classic stitch, perfect for the beach!

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OR you can view the full FREE pattern below!

What’s to Love?

The perfect cotton shrug knitting pattern to protect you from the sun all summer long. Basically, it’s knit, top down, using only stockinette stitches for the beginner version and if you’re brave and would like to try knitting a clean edge there’s instructions for that in the advanced version. This pattern is so easy to knit and surprisingly super quick using the large needles. You’ll be able to get cozy this summer in no time flat!

About the Pattern

Pattern Format: Written Pattern, No Chart
Pattern Language: English
Pattern Name: Introspection
Skill Level: Beginner & Advanced Beginner
PDF Format: Printer Friendly

Techniques & Skills You Need to Know

Knit Flat {Back & Forth}
Knit & Purl Stitches
Clean Edge {advanced version only}

Specifically for the beginner version, you need to be familiar with the difference between knit and purl stitches.

For the advanced beginner version you need to be confident in the beginner version, plus slipping stitches and knitting through the back loop.

Yarn

Yarn Weight: Worsted
Yardage: Depends on the size
Suggested Yarn: Simply Cotton Organic Worsted, Knit Picks

Yarn Substitutions

The beloved Sugar ‘n Cream yarn with lots of colors to chose from!
Premier Home is a little thinner, giving you a more lacy style. At the time of writing this, this yarn is cheaper than other cotton yarns and the skein is a little bigger. Win-win!
Peaches & Cream is a classic yarn that’s strong, durable & washable.

Needles & Notions

Needle Size: US 15 {10mm} Circular Needles with a 24″ {60cm} Cable
Darning or Tapestry Needle

Gauge

8 STS & 14 rows per 4” {10cm} square, knit in the pattern below

Photo Details

Height of model: 5’9″ {175cm}
Weight of model: 130lbs {59kg}
Bust of model: 35″ {88cm}
Waist of model: 25″ {63cm}
Measurements, before blocking: 56” wide x 26” {142cm x 66cm}
Weight: 10.8oz {305g}

Sizes

Here’s a chart for the width & height, if you’re gauge is the same as mine:
The 3 width columns are the # of CO STS you need for the width. # of CO STS = width in inches.

Width	Width	Width		Your Height	Height of Shrug	Approx. # of rows
72 = 36”	96 = 48”	120 = 60”		5’ 1”	23”	76
74 = 37”	98 = 49”	122 = 61”		5’ 2”	24”	80
76 = 38”	100 = 50”	124 = 62”		5’ 3”	25”	84
78 = 39”	102 = 51”	126 = 63”		5’ 4”	26”	88
80 = 40”	104 = 52”	128 = 64”		5’ 5”	27”	92
82 = 41”	106 = 53”	130 = 65”		5’ 6”	28”	96
84 = 42”	108 = 54”	132 = 66”		5’ 7”	29”	100
86 = 43”	110 = 55”	134 = 67”		5’ 8”	30”	104
88 = 44”	112 = 56”	136 = 68”		5’ 9”	31”	108
90 = 45”	114 = 57”	138 = 69”		5’ 10”	32”	112
92 = 46”	116 = 58”	140 = 70”		5’ 11”	33”	116
94 = 47”	118 = 59”	142 = 71”		6’ 0”	34”	120

Notes

Not reversible.
Knit top down.
Knit using the stockinette stitch.
Knit flat, back & forth using circular needles.
The CO edge is the width, across your shoulders.
Circular needles are used to accommodate the large number of CO stitches.

Beginner Knitting Pattern, Knit Flat {Row-by-Row}

CO your desired number of sts, see chart above.

The CO # is under the width section, CO STS = Inches

For example, my measurement from wrist to wrist is 56” {142cm}, so I cast-on 112 STS

How many sts did you CO? _________

Row 1: *K1, P1*

Row 2: *K* {knit the whole row}

Row 3: *P* {purl the whole row}

Repeat rows 2-3 until desired length.

What’s your total length measurement? _________

{I knit mine until it was 31″ {79cm} tall. I used up all 3 skeins of yarn, so I didn’t have any leftover yarn. ;)}

BO in the K1, P1 pattern.

Blocking:

None. I didn’t block mine. I just put it on and wore it several days in a row. But you can block it if you’d like to even out your stitches. I recommend blocking before seaming the “sleeves” to make it easier.

To create your sleeves, skip to the “Sleeves” section in the advanced knitting pattern below.

Advanced Beginner Knitting Pattern, Knit Flat {Row-by-Row}

CO your desired number of sts, see chart above.

The CO # is under the width section, CO STS = Inches

For example, my measurement from wrist to wrist is 56” {142cm}, so I cast-on 112 STS

How many sts did you CO? _________

Row 1: *K1, P1*

Row 2: K1TBL *K* K1TBL

Row 3: WYIF S1PW *P* WYIF S1PW

Repeat rows 2-3 until desired length.

What’s your total length measurement? _________

{I knit mine until it was 31″ {79cm} tall. I used up all 3 skeins of yarn, so I didn’t have any leftover yarn. ;)}

BO in the K1, P1 pattern.

Blocking:

None. I didn’t block mine. I just put it on and wore it several days in a row. But you can block it if you’d like to even out your stitches. I recommend blocking before seaming the “sleeves” to make it easier.

Sleeves:

Sew the seams for the “sleeves”:

Lay it out flat, bring the top & bottom edges to the center, sew 5” {13cm} on the sides from each end towards the center, not on the CO or BO edge.

Knitting Abbreviations

* – * – repeat between *
BO – bind-off in pattern
CO – cast-on {long-tail cast-on method}
K – knit stitches {K1 means to knit 1 stitch}
K1TBL – knit 1 stitch through the back loop
P – purl stitches {P2 means to purl 2 stitches}
S1PW – slip one stitch purl-wise
STS – stitches
WYIF – with yarn in front

Modification Options

This is a particularly super easy pattern to modify.
Just cast-on in any number of stitches, to get your desired width.
To make it longer, just keep knitting more rows.
Want a cropped version? Just knit fewer rows.
Nevertheless, simple, easy & classic!

FAQ

Q: Can I knit this using a different yarn?
A: Yes, definitely! It’ll require you to knit a swatch, do some math and some trial & error, but it’s definitely do-able and worth it. :)

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