Dream shrug
Dream shrug. Photo: Alex
A lacework shrug in mohair with elbow-length sleeves and deep ribbing.
I created the Dream shrug after finding some brightly-coloured vintage 80s mohair. I used a ripple lace pattern to show-off the beautiful colour changes. The yarn I used (Argyll Mohair) is sadly long discontinued, I have suggested modern alternatives.
The shrug is knitted sideways, in one piece, in the flat on straight needles, then the sleeves are seamed. The ribbing around the body is knitted on circular needles, using the pick-up and knit technique.
The shrug has no discernible top or bottom, the lace pattern has a lot of stretch and it will fit either way up. The finished garment is lightweight and surprisingly cosy thanks to the mohair’s amazing thermal properties.
Size information
Instructions are given for the smallest size, other sizes are shown in brackets. Larger needles are used for the lace pattern on the largest two sizes in order to increase the width - the stitch count is the same.
| Chest measurement at underarm (above bust) | inches | 32 | (34 | 36 | 38 | 40) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| cm | 81 | (86 | 94 | 97 | 102) | |
| Sleeve length | inches | 10 | (10.5 | 10.5 | 11 | 11) |
| cm | 25 | (27 | 27 | 28 | 28) | |
| Total length (cuff to cuff) | inches | 36 | (39 | 41 | 45 | 47) |
| cm | 91 | (99 | 104 | 114 | 119) | |
| Width (unfolded) | inches | 11 | (11 | 11 | 12 | 12) |
| cm | 28 | (28 | 28 | 30 | 30) |
Yarn & notions
- 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) x 100 g hanks Colinette Mohair, or
- 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) x 50 g balls Sirdar Blur, or
- Approx. 400m any mohair blend yarn with recommended needle size of 4-5mm
Needles & equipment
- 5.5 mm circular needle, 80cm or longer
- 9 (9, 9, 10, 10) mm straight needles
- 2 removable stitch markers
Tension/gauge
Tension is not critical - both the lace and the ribbing have a lot of stretch.
Instructions
Photo: Alex
Cuff
With smaller needles, CO 54 sts
Working flat, [k1 p1] to end
Repeat for a further 4 rows
Switch to larger needles
[K1 k2tog] to end (36 sts)
Purl one row
Sleeves and body
Ripple pattern. Photo: Alex
Ripple pattern
Worked over multiples of 18 sts
Row 1: [K2tog] x 3, [k1 yo] x 6, [k2tog] x 3. Repeat this pattern once more to end of row (36 sts)
Rows 2 & 3: Knit
Row 4: Purl
Continue in ripple pattern until work measures 35 (38, 40, 44, 46) inches, 89 (97, 102, 112, 117) cm from cast on edge
Cuff
Switch to smaller needles
Next row: [Kfb K1] to end (54 sts)
Next 5 rows: [K1 p1] to end
Cast off in rib using larger needle.
Photo: Alex
Sleeve seams
With right side facing, fold work in half lengthways
Place a stitch marker 10 (10.5 10.5 11 11) inches, 25 (27, 27, 28, 28) cm from cast-on edge, measured along raw edge, catching both thicknesses and matching pattern. Repeat for the cast-off edge.
Join sleeve seam from cast-on edge to first marker, and from cast-off edge to second marker, using whip stitch.
Ribbing
Using smaller circular needle, starting at right-hand marker, pick-up and knit 66 (74, 82, 95, 103) sts along raw edge to second marker. Turn work. Pick-up and knit 66 (74, 82, 95, 103) sts along opposite raw edge to first marker.
Join to work in the round, knit 1 row
Next row: [K1, p1] to end
Continue in 1×1 rib until ribbing measures 5 inches
Cast off loosely in rib using the larger needle.
This is gorgeous! Thank you for the pattern. I mean really beautiful. Congratulations!