This is a warm, structured shrug that feels almost like a jacket. It is cozy and fashionable at the same time. It is worked from the bottom up. The pockets are knit first, then stitches are added for the lower edge. The body is knit in one piece up to the armpits, and then fronts and back are divided and worked one at a time. Shoulders are grafted using the Kitchener stitch for a smooth contoured look. Reverse Stockinette stitch pockets are folded up on the outside and mattress stitched to the front.
Because of the short rows, grafting, and mattress stitching, this is an intermediate pattern. If you are not familiar with those assembly techniques, have someone standing by who can help.
If you are not used to knitting with BIG needles, take lots of hand breaks and don’t knit too long at any one sitting. Keep your gauge at a medium tension, and watch that the single ply yarn doesn’t untwist itself as you knit. One sample used every inch of 4 skeins; another had a small ball left over. Always better to get an extra skein and return it later than to end up playing yarn chicken at one in the morning.
See test knits for further yarn suggestions and details.