Patchwork Quilt Knit Shrug

This Patchwork Quilt Knit Shrug is made using several squares in multiple colors and knit stitch variations and then sewn together to create a cozy knitted shrug cardigan.

Get the free knitting pattern below or purchase the ad-free, downloadable & printable PDF on Etsy, LoveCrafts & Ravelry.

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A patchwork project is the perfect project for a beginner knitter because it’s a created using several small squares, so if when (😂) you make a mistake, you only have to unravel the 1 square you’re working on, not the whole project. 🎉

What I Love About This Knitted Shrug

• It’s a stash busting project, so you can use up some leftover yarn!
• It’s knit using a super bulky yarn, so you can mix and match different weights of yarn to create your own one-of-a-kind super bulky yarn.
• The color options are endless. You don’t have to stick to 5 colors, just use what you have.
• The fact that it’s oversized means that it’s excellent for cuddling up in.
• The drape is perfect & flowy! It lays perfectly on my shoulders and flows effortlessly as I move.
• The super bulky yarn gives it a wonderful weight, so it feels like you’re being hugged, plus it gives you all the warm & fuzzy feelings.
• Shrugs are the ideal accessory to wear with any outfit… jeans, yoga pants, little black dress, oversized sweater or PJ’s. Shrugs really are versatile!
• This is an easy project to travel with so you can knit it while on vacation or commuting.

About the Pattern

Available Sizes: One size fits most
Pattern Format: Written Pattern, No Chart
Pattern Language: English
Skill Level: Beginner
PDF Format: Printer Friendly
Pattern Name: Vagabond

Techniques

Here are some of the knitting skills you need to know before getting started:

Knit Flat (Back & Forth)
Knit & Purl Stitches
Seaming

Yarn & Substitutions

Yarn Weight: Super Bulky
Yardage: 775 – 850 yards (708 – 777 meters)
Suggested Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick
1 Skein each for the squares: Oatmeal, Mustard, Taupe, Fisherman & Spice
3 Skeins for the seams & borders: Charcoal

Get your creative juices flowing when choosing your color combinations all while feeling great about shopping your stash and using up some left-over yarn, aka make room for new yarn!!

✔️ Be creative
✔️ Deplete your stash
✔️ Design your own clothes
✔️ Reduce stress & anxiety
✔️ Feel productive & proud

I love knitting!

Needles & Notions

Needle Sizes
US 15 (10mm) Knitting Needles
US 15 (10mm) Circular Needles with a 32” (80cm) Cable, or longer
US 15 (10mm) Circular Needles with a 60” (150cm) Cable, or longer (optional)
Darning Needle / Tapestry Needle
Scissors

Note: Use a 60” (150cm) Cable to test the border edges.

Gauge

16 STS & 22 rows per 7” (18cm) square, varies depending on the pattern

Get the free knitting pattern below or purchase the ad-free, downloadable & printable PDF on Etsy, LoveCrafts & Ravelry.

Measurements

Without the Border:
Measurements: 37 1/2″ wide x 32 1/2″ (95cm x 82cm)

With the Border:
Measurements: 43 1/2″ wide x 38 1/2″ (110cm x 98cm)
Weight: 2lb 6.1oz (1080g)

Notes

Knit flat.
Uses 5 different stitches.
Knit several blocks and then seam together, the border is optional.
Even though I used the same yarn for each of the blocks, some of the skeins varied in thickness, which would require more or fewer stitches and/or rows, so use your discretion to make each square about the same size.
Important: It’s best if the blocks are all the same size before steaming or seaming.

Knitting Abbreviations

*– * – repeat between * to end of round
BO – bind-off in pattern
CO – cast-on (long-tail cast-on method)
K – knit stitches (K1 means to knit 1 stitch)
P – purl stitches (P2 means to purl 2 stitches)
RS – right side
STS – stitches
WS – wrong side

Save it for Later

• Buy the ad-free, printer-friendly pattern on Etsy, LoveCrafts & Ravelry.
• Pin-it to Pinterest for later!

Pattern Instructions

Knit 1 square in each color for each of the following 5 patterns. 

Get about 5 squares per 1 skein of yarn.

Each square should measure approximately 7″ x 7″ (18cm).

To End:
When finished, you should have 25 squares. One of each pattern in each color.
To relax and even out the stitches, steam block lightly. (optional)
On a large flat surface, layout all your squares in a 5×5 block and rearrange them until you’re happy with the order. (This was a surprisingly satisfying part of the pattern that I played with for a couple of hours.)

Seam all the squares together:
At the beginning of your column or row, cut a piece of yarn twice the length of your seam. Thread your darning needle and start seaming using the whip stitch, or your stitch of choice.

Once you have your 5×5 grid laid out, seam all the squares together vertically, column by column, so you have one block with all the vertical seams seamed. Once you have all the vertical seams completed, seam all the squares together horizontally, row by row.

The 5×5 grid should be completely stitched and ready for borders, if desired.
Borders:
Edge Borders: CO 70 STS, knit all rows (garter stitch), for 9 rows and then BO loosely in all knit stitches. Using the whip stitch, or stitch of choice, seam it to one of the edges. Repeat for the other edge.

CO & BO Borders: CO 90 STS, knit 8 rows in the *K1, P1* pattern and then BO loosely in the *K1, P1* pattern. Using the whip stitch, or stitch of choice, seam it to the CO or BO edge. Repeat for the other edge.

Note: Use a 60” (150cm) cable to test the border edges to make sure the cast-on isn’t too short or too long. I still had to frog a few times before I got it just right, but that’s just part of knitting.

Create the Sleeves:
Lay it flat, with the right side up.

On one side, bring the CO and BO corners together, with the edge stitch together. Sew about 6” (15cm) from the corner up to the side edge to create the sleeves.

Repeat on the other side.

Weave in all your ends.

Modification Options

• Choose only 2 or 3 stitches, you don’t have to use all 5.
• Knit each knit stitch using the same color instead of various colors, for example, knit all the seed stitch blocks in white, instead of one in each color.
• Knit each block in a different color, so you have 25 different colors when you’re finished. 😍
• I previously shared a super bulky cropped shrug, so if you’re looking for a lighter option, you can knit it 5 squares wide and 3 squares long to create a crop version.
• Seam it with or without a version.

Print this Pattern

I know many of you enjoy working from a paper copy of your knitting pattern that’s why I offer a printer-friendly PDF completely ad-free on Etsy, LoveCrafts & Ravelry.

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).

The ads on this website make it possible for me to offer the patterns for free, that way you can try it before you buy it. :)

More Cozy Shrug Patterns you’ll love…

Get the free knitting pattern above or purchase the ad-free, downloadable & printable PDF on Etsy, LoveCrafts & Ravelry.