This one has been in the "I'll get to it eventually" category for quite some time now! 🙂 I figured I better get it done, posted, and off my plate so I can get to some Fall decorating and refinishing all the hutches I've collected as of late.
I love half sleeve tops of any sort because I have ape arms and full sleeves always seem to run short on me. I didn't have any half sleeve shrugs before this, so I was really excited to get it done so I can finally have one to wear!
This is, as always, a free pattern. It is a size large in misses. I've included some ideas on how to make the shrug smaller or larger at the end of the pattern. I've also added the step-by-step pictures to try to convey some of the more abstract concepts of the pattern. Please note if the direction I'm working in the pictures seems jacked up, it's because I crochet left-handed. Don't pay so much attention to the direction as to the concept of what the picture shows.
PLEASE NOTE these measurements will vary depending on your gauge and if you use a different yarn.
Both yarns suggested above are worsted weight.
Please note: The notation in parentheses at the end of each line of directions is simply a count of how many stitches you should have at the end of working that particular line of directions to help you keep track of your stitch count.
Gauge: 8 double crochet = 4 inches and 6 rows of double crochet = 4 inches. Use whatever size crochet hook needed to achieve this gauge. For best results, please check your gauge before beginning this pattern.
Chain 24 stitches; join ends with slip stitch forming a loop (24 stitches total).
Round 1-5: ch 1, single crochet around round, join with slip stitch (24 stitches total).
Rounds 6-25: ch 3, double crochet around round to last stitch, increase 1 double crochet (44 stitches at the end of row 25).
Rows 1-15: chain 3, turn, double crochet 21 stitches (22 stitches total). When you start the back, you will begin working off the sleeve you just finished in rows and turning your work instead of working in rounds and not turning your work. Make sure you start the first row on the bottom of the back (armpit) and end the last row at the top of the back.
Chain 22 off the top of the back. Join chain to the bottom of the back with a slip stitch to form the round for the sleeve. Turn and work across chain for round 1.
Rounds 1-20: ch 3, double crochet around round to last stitch, decrease 1 double crochet (44 stitches total at start of row 1; 24 stitches total at the end of row 20).
Rounds 21-26: ch 1, single crochet around round (24 stitches total at the end of row 26).
Tie on to cuff, single crochet once around.
Join yarn on bottom of back; single crochet 8 rows around. You will work from the bottom of the back up one sleeve, across the top of the back (neck), down the other sleeve, and back across to where you started.
Follow the pattern as written, but use a smaller hook. The weave will be a little tighter if you do it this way.
Use the same hook size but start the pattern with 2-4 stitches less, then follow the pattern as it's written as far as increasing/decreasing, but it will be 2-4 stitches less than shown all around (stitch counts at the end should be 2-4 stitches less than shown). Also, remove the last 2-4 rows on the first sleeve and the first 2-4 rows on the second sleeve, and 2 rows across the back.
Follow the pattern as written, but use a larger hook. The weave will be a little looser if you do it this way.
Add 2-4 rows to the back, 2-4 more rounds to the front, and 2-4 more stitches to the sleeve rounds.
Here's the step-by-step breakdown. The pictures show the pattern being worked from left to right because I am left handed. This pattern is symmetrical, so it can be worked either left to right or right to left and achieve the same results.
Work the first sleeve in the round as shown above.
Work the back by working back and forth off the back half of the first sleeve.
When you're done working the back, chain 22 stitches off the top of the back, and join the chain with a slip stitch too the bottom of the back. This forms the round to start the second sleeve.
Work the second sleeve out from the round formed by the last instructions.
Once the second sleeve is finished, work the front as shown above. Tie on the yarn at the bottom of the back and work a single crochet across 1/2 the back, up one sleeve, across the top, down the other sleeve, and across the other 1/2 the back for 8 rounds.
That's all there is to it! 🙂 Please let me know what you think or if you have any questions in the comments section below!
Don't forget to check out my other free crochet patterns!
This looks great, how big a deal woukd it be to change it to size 3X?
I know the basic stitches try to do.
Hi Rupa! I will be happy to guide you if you need it. If you get stuck, just tell me where and I will do my best to help you.
Such great ideas I cannot wait to try myself!
Cute shrug – love the no seaming. I bet this works up quick on the size N hook – thanks for sharing the pattern – pinned.
Thank you for the free pattern and the helpful diagrams. I would love to give a try. Currenly working on Christmas gifts. This might work into my plans.
Awe you're too kind 🙂 Thanks again for hosting an awesome link party!
Great project! Thanks for sharing at My Flagstaff Home!
Great Job! It's so pretty! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday!! Hope to see you again this week!! I pinned this to My 2 Favorite Things Pinterest Board!
Thank you Elaine! 🙂 And thank you for hosting the link party!
LOL yup! 🙂 As a blogger, I have a real love-hate relationship with it!
Saw this today on FB and was interested in making it. Found some yarn and got started. It worked up quickly and easily. Love it! Thank you!
What a cute pattern! I'm going to start on it tomorrow. Cannot wait to get started! Thank you for sharing.
Conroe 6 – 25 do you change 3 for each round for each ground and then increase?
Hi Shirley! Yes, you chain 3 for each round and that counts as your first stitch, and then you increase one for every round as well.
Your work is simply beautiful. I'm an experienced crocheter.. I'm going to attempt to make this. Your thorough instructions and pics will help me, I'm sure.
I made this in a coral chunky baby yarn. I wore it on my Hawaii cruise and received several compliments from women I didn't know. I made the sleeves longer and it was perfect for the air conditioned ship. Thankyou so much for sharing this pattern. I am about to make my second one with homespun yarn.
Thanks so much for sharing this Sandra! 🙂 Hearing from one of my readers about how they made and enjoyed one of my patterns always makes my day!
I bought a shrug from a catalog… Same as this ….will. Start some for Christmas gifts now …. Thanks very much.
Michelle, thank you so much for posting the pics along with the printed directions. I am so bad at following patterns but got the concept from the visual (pictures) so now it's super easy for me to work this beautiful shrug. I just happen to have some leftover skeins of Heartland Glacier Bay yarn that I bought last winter which I think will be perfect for this shrug. Thank you so much. You do beautiful work!!!!!
Thanks so much Nena! 🙂 I am so happy the pictures helped you with the pattern. The way the second sleeve comes together can be a hard concept to grasp, but like you said, once you get it it's a breeze! 🙂 Thanks again!
For some reason it wouldn't let me save to Pinterest or copy & print for the directions.
For some reason it won't let me save to Pinterest or print & copy for directions.
Thank you Sara! 🙂 I would start with the "how to make this shrug smaller" directions I incldued below the pattern as a guide, and then fit it to her as you go like you said. This shrug is very forgiving, so it shouldn't be too hard to get a good fit.
How would you suggest to make it longer. More like a cocoon shrug?
I've never tried this myself, so I don't know if this will actually work or not.
After you finish the second sleeve, tie onto the bottom of the backside of the shrug and work back and forth downwards until you reach the back length you want. Then work the 5 dc rounds in the front of the shrug as directed, but include the back part you just finished in the rounds.
I love this! I wonder if you could tell me the measurement for the sleeve? I ask because I have the right amount of stitches done for the first sleeve–but I'm only on row 14, so something is wonky. It looks right, but it worries me that I have all these stitches when I've only done a little over half the rows.
I love the look of this and can't wait to make it! But, I hate chunky yarn patterns and would prefer to use a medium (4) weight yarn, #1 reason being cost. Have you tried in a worsted weight yarn? Would be very interested in how to make one using a worsted weight yarn. Thanks for the freebie, love your stuff.
The yarns used and suggested in this pattern are worsted weight. I just took for granted that people would know that the yarn were worsted weight, which I shouldn't have done! I updated the pattern so in the future people will know that these yarns are worsted weight.
I am not a very experienced crocheter but would like to try this pattern as it loks nice and not too difficult. However, I'm a bit confused as to whether worsted weight yarn in America is what we in England call double knitting yarn or is it the equivalent of what we call Aran yarn?
Thank you Michelle. Sounds like I might be better using what we know as double knitting yarn (8 ply) and adjust the hook size if necessary as Aran wool might possibly be too heavy. I'll give it a go anyway.
Thanks for sharing this with your readers Emily! 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
Just love this shrug. I have been making several of these shrugs. At first I found did find it a little difficult when I got to the 2nd – sleeve section, but kept working on it until I got it. Have to definitely count the stitches and keep track of the seamless seam so its straight. Thanks so much for sharing this fun pattern!
Hi Julie, I'm sorry you're having troubles with the pattern. I will try to help you. What do you mean by "it's not straight" – do you mean it doesn't look like the first sleeve?
Hello, I love this seamless shurg. I have a question, are you using a different form of double crochet? I like the way it looks. My double crochet looks different. I hope this is not a silly question.Thank you.
I love the look of your shrug, but I am having trouble with the eight rows of single crochet. Are you left handed because the picture doesn't make sense to me and my 8 rows don't look like yours. Would be helpful to have detailed pictures or a video. Also when doing the second sleeve it works better to decrease at the beginning of the row.