There is also a Danish version available

My winter wardrobe has always been made up of crisp, fancy blazers and large coats. But as it has done for so many aspects of our lives, 2020 upended my closet. Here in the Southern Hemisphere, the long lockdown months were during the winter, and since we were home so much I found myself craving a huge, cosy and soft jacket that I could knit relatively quickly and mindlessly. This shrug ticks all those boxes. It’s constructed by making a square of knits and slip stitches, folding it in half and seaming up the sides, then picking up stitches and knitting sleeves in the round.

The square that makes up the main body of the shrug was inspired by the geometric shapes and bright colours that I associate with quilting, and is designed for you to use up the scraps in your stash. It’s constructed using the Ten Stitch Blanket method, which gives you lots of lovely color changes without having to sew up any seams!

VIDEO TUTORIAL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bCiA69AhTk

SIZES
Customized – see Finished Measurements section below

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
The shrug is oversized and open at the bust. The amount you stretch the body during blocking will determine the ease and fit. The sample is shown with a 36 inch / 91.5cm square body (Measurement A) stretched to 40 inch / 101.5 cm after blocking, on a model with a 32.5 inch / 82.5cm elbow to elbow measurement and a 34.5 inch / 88 cm bust.

The pattern details which measurements to take (A, B and C) and how to refer to them as you knit.

MATERIALS
Yarn characteristics:
This pattern is designed to use up small amounts of yarn from your stash, as in the sample.
Use either worsted-weight yarn, or fingering-weight yarn held double, or a mix of both.
Wool or acrylic blends would work well with this project. Avoid using too much yarn with a high cotton, bamboo (or other rayon) or silk content, as the weight and lack of elasticity of these fibers may pull the garment out of shape or weight it down.

Calculate the approximate amount required for each piece as follows:

For Body:
The sample size (36 inches square) uses the equivalent of approx. 1440 yds/1317m of worsted weight yarn for the Body. For every 2-inch/5-cm increment above or below 36 inches for Measurement A, add or subtract an additional 10% to the required yardage of the previous size. (e.g. 34 inches square requires 1296 yds/1185m, 38 inches square requires 1584 yds/1449m; 40 inches square requires 1742 yds/1593m, etc.). You may need to adjust this, depending on your gauge.

For Sleeves:
Total yardage required = (Measurement B in inches x 2 x Measurement C in inches) x 2. Multiply by .9144 to calculate meters.

Recommended needle size
Always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter’s gauge is unique.
1 US #8/5mm circular needle, 24-inch/60-cm for working magic loop
OR
1 set(s) US #8/5mm double pointed needles

Notions
5 removable stitch markers
small yarn/kitchen scale
yarn needle

GAUGE
20 sts/40 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in garter stitch
22 sts/27 rows = 4 inches/10cm in 1x1 ribbing, unstretched

Exactly matching gauge is not important for this piece as all parts of it are worked to specific measurements rather than stitch or row counts. Matching st gauge is more important than matching row gauge; just keep in mind that you may need to adjust the total amount of yarn used if your gauge differs.

PATTERN NOTES
The shrug is knit as one large square following the Ten Stitch Blanket method. You then sew up the sides to make seams and pick up for the sleeves, knitting them in the round in 1x1 ribbing.