The grown-up version of my little Entrechat. Perfect for gift-giving and a great way to use up a few lone skeins of that special yarn.
Note: there is a separate pattern available for fingering weight yarn

This shrug is constructed in an unusual manner. It is knit from the top down, from the back neck and shoulders to the underarms. The sleeve stitches are then put on hold and the back stitches are worked together with stitches picked up along each front raglan to form the back and fronts of the body in one piece.
An easy textured band adds visual interest. For sizes XS to L only, short rows are worked in the back. Sleeves are worked in the round, and can be worked as either short or elbow-length sleeves.

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Skills required: casting-on, knitting, purling, increasing, decreasing, picking up stitches, yarn over, for sizes XS to L only: short rows (explanations provided).

Finished garment has cross-back measurement of 14.75 (16.5, 18.75, 20.5 // 22.75, 24.5, 26.75) inches or 37 (42, 47.5, 52 // 57.5, 62, 68) cm.
To fit bust sizes 29 (33, 37, 41 // 45, 49, 53) inches or 73.5 (84, 94, 104 // 114.5, 124.5, 134.5) cm.
Note about Size Selection: I recommend selecting the size based on your actual cross-back measurement (measure the width of your back from center of underarm to center of underarm, with both arms down). If this measurement falls between 2 sizes I recommend choosing the larger of the two.

Yarn Requirements:
For short sleeve version:
2 (2, 3, 3 // 3, 3, 4) skeins of Malabrigo Rios 100% merino; 210yd/192m per 100g/3.43oz skein or approximately 350 (400, 475, 525 // 675, 725, 825) yds or 320 (366, 434, 480 // 617, 663, 754) meters of worsted weight yarn.
For elbow-length sleeve version:
2 (3, 3, 3 // 4, 4, 5) skeins of Malabrigo Rios 100% merino; 210yd/192m per 100g/3.43oz skein or approximately 400 (450, 525, 625 // 700, 800, 900) yds or 466 (411, 480, 571 // 640, 731, 823) meters of worsted weight yarn.

Needles/Notions:
US 8 or 5mm circular needles or size needed to get stockinette gauge.
Pair of matching double-pointed needles for sleeves.

• two stitch markers

• tapestry needle

• two pieces of scrap yarn to use as holders for sleeves

• one 5/8-inch or 1.5 cm diameter button