Easy Cotton Shrug Knitting Pattern for Summer – Free Beginner-Friendly Pattern

Looking for a lightweight summer shrug that’s beginner-friendly and modern? This free cotton shrug knitting pattern is the perfect breezy layer to toss over your tank tops and sundresses.

Designed with warm days in mind, it uses simple stockinette stitches and soft cotton yarn for a light and airy feel. Whether you’re knitting at the beach or next to the kiddie pool, this is the ultimate summer companion project.

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 large knitting needles. You’ll be able to get cozy this summer in no time flat!

How to Style a Cotton Shrug

Styling a lightweight summer shrug is all about effortless layering and warm-weather comfort. This easy knit shrug pairs beautifully with a lace-trimmed tank and linen pants for a breezy, feminine outfit, or over baggy overalls for a touch of relaxed, handmade charm. On cooler mornings or in chilly indoor settings, layer it over a jumper or a casual sundress for extra warmth without the bulk.

If you’re searching for ideas on how to style a cotton shrug, remember that its breathable texture and neutral tone make it incredibly versatile. Whether you’re dressing up your beginner shrug knitting pattern with gold jewelry or keeping it casual with sandals and a messy bun, this piece is the perfect staple for a cozy, laid-back summer look.

Looking for more Easy Spring & Summer Knitting Pattern ideas?!

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
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: Knit Picks Simply Cotton Organic Worsted Yarn

Yarn Substitutions

• Knit Picks Dishie Cotton Yarn
• Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton Yarn
• Lily Sugar n’ Cream Cotton Yarn
• Peaches & Cream

Check out Yarnsub’s for more yarn substitutions.

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 stockinette stitch

Model Details

Height: 5’9″ (175cm)
Weight: 130lbs (59kg)
Bust: 35″ (88cm)
Waist: 25″ (63cm)

Details of the shrug on the model:

Measurements of shrug, before blocking: 56” wide x 26” (142cm x 66cm)
Weight of shrug: 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

Fun Fact
According to Scientific America “A person’s arm span is about equal to their height.”

Notes

Not reversible.
Knit top down.
Knit using the stockinette stitch.
The CO edge is the width, across your shoulders.
Knit flat on circular needles, which are used to hold the large number of CO stitches, do not join in the round.

Download & Print this Pattern

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That way you can have lifetime access to it and download it to any device and view it from anywhere, without ads (and the pattern might not be around forever).

Beginner Knitting Pattern

Knitting flat, CO your desired number of STS, see chart above.

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

For reference, I’m 5’9″, my measurement from mid-forearm to mid-forearm 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:

Before seaming the sleeves, steam block to even out the stitches.

FYI – I didn’t block mine. After several wears it naturally relaxed and grew 1-2″ (3-5cm).

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

Advanced Beginner Knitting Pattern

Knitting flat, CO your desired number of STS, see chart above.

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

For example, my measurement from mid-forearm to mid-forearm 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:

Before seaming the sleeves, steam block to even out the stitches.

FYI – I didn’t block mine. After several wears it naturally relaxed and grew 1-2″ (3-5cm).

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 asterisks
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. :)

If you like this Cotton Shrug Knitting Pattern, check out these patterns:
Beginner Summer Tank Top
Rectangle Lace Shrug Knitting Pattern
Quick & Easy Tank Top

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Download & Print this Pattern

Do you enjoy working from a paper copy? Get the downloadable, printer-friendly PDF completely ad-free.

That way you can have lifetime access to it and download it to any device and view it from anywhere, without ads (and the pattern might not be around forever).