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) |
Requirements
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!
Lovely shrug, your design works so well with this particular yarn. I’m thrilled to have found it because I have some old mohair with a metallic thread in it and I think your pattern will be lovely for it.
Hi,
I have downloaded your shrug pattern and am anxious to make it, the comments are great about it!
I have one question before I start. On the pattern it gives two needle sizes to use, on your ravelry page of the same pattern you give 3 needle sizes to use. Which should I go with? also in your opinion is stashed karabella gossamer yarn ok to use with this pattern and needle sizes suggested? Thank you
Hiya,
I checked the Ravelry page and there are only two needle sizes listed. The pattern requires you to use a different sized needle for the lace pattern (either 9 or 10 mm) depending on the size you make. I’m not familiar with the yarn you’re using but the lace pattern has a lot of give so the yarn weight is particularly important. If your yarn weight is 4ply or thinner I would suggest going up a needle size to compensate though.
Good luck with your project!
Suzie
Hi suzie,
Thanks for the reply. This is the page I got the 3 needle info from. Just thought you might like to see it in case you want to change anything on it. I’ll use the 2 needles you memtioned.
Shoshy
suziesparkle > notebook > projects > Technicolour Dream Shrug
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by suziesparkle Flickr
Project info
Name
Technicolour Dream Shrug
Pattern
Dream Shrug by Suzie Blackman
Craft
Knitting
Made for
me
Size
UK 12
Tags
blackmanlacemohairrainbowrippleshrugsuzie
Needle and yarn
Needle
US 9 / 5.5 mm
US 10 / 6.0 mm
US 13 / 9.0 mm
Yarn
Argyll Chameleon
How much?
1.2 skeins =
Colorway
640
Color family
Blue
Notes
viewed 171 times | are these notes helpful?
Thanks for posting. Those details are for the prototype, which I tried out different needles sizes for. The project page is mainly for my own reference, but the pattern page on Ravelry has the recommended needles sizes for the pattern: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dream-shrug
I think this is a wonderful pattern– but I’m hoping to try it for a little girl’s size 6. Wish me luck?
Hi Jill,
You should be able to make a smaller size quite successfully by using a smaller needle and reducing the length of the sleeves. You shouldn’t have to change anything else but it might require some experimentation to get the right size! Good luck with it.
Suzie
I would like to ask Suzie Blackman’s permission to knit her ‘Dream Shrug’ to sell in my outdoor market booth. I am glad to make a donation and put her name on the work as designer>
Hi Cheryl,
Currently I only offer a non-commercial licence on free patterns, which means that you cannot make garments based on them to sell for profit. I am very happy for people to make garments for charitable sale though, providing all proceeds are donated to charity.
Suzie