I cannot begin this post without letting all beginners know that this free pattern for the Sea Spray Crochet Shrugis just so easy to make. Don’t be put off by the complicated design of the main stitch: it is made from a series of chains and single crochets! I personally loved working up this shrug. It was just one of those pieces that once you get into it you don’t need to think about the rows anymore and you just let your hands do all the work. I actually felt quite sad when I was finished and I think I will be making more in the future and try experimenting with colour.
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To be honest, originally I was in two minds when I decided to begin designing Sea Spray Crochet Shrug. Someone I know told me they think shrugs are old fashioned but in the end I just couldn’t bring myself to agree. I think they can add that something special to an outfit over even just inject a much needed pop of colour to what you are wearing. In the end I think that this shrug design came out just beautifully. It looks elegant enough to wear to a formal summer event like a wedding. I also think wouldn’t look out of place with a tank top and pair of jeans if you are heading out for dinner in the evening or to a BBQ. In the summer lightweight shrugs are also a perfect choice because they won’t make you feel too hot during warm summer days.
The Sea Spray Crochet Shrug – On the Hanger
The best part about the Sea Spray Crochet Shrug is that it is so easy to make. I think it is a suitable project for beginners including people who have just learned to crochet. The simplicity of this piece is that it is made from a rectangle that is folded in half and seamed on both sides, then you just add the border. Even better the pattern stitch is one that grows so easily because the rows are so quick and easy to get through. This means that you can make this shrug in a few evenings or even over the weekend when you have more time to spare! The Sea Spray Crochet Shrug for beginners would also be a wonderful project if you want to make a gift for someone because you can work up the shrug in no time at all.
The Sea Spray Crochet Shrug- The Back Panel
The Yarn
I chose to make the Sea Spray Shrug in Scheepjes Catona in silver green and bridal white. For hot summer days this yarn is a perfect choice because it is 100% cotton. It is also mercerised cotton, which means it has a lovely soft shine. This gives the shrug that ‘something special’ it needs to make it elegant enough for an event like a wedding or birthday party. Although I think if you wanted to make a heavier and warmer shrug you could use a different yarn and the pattern stitch would work out just as well. I could see it making such nice warmer shrug for the autumn fall it it is worked in a cotton- acrylic mix. When I have the time I think I will work one up to wear during cooler days.
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〜 Get Scheepjes Catona HERE from Amazon.
〜 Scheepjes Catona is a 100% mercerised cotton that is a superfine / fingering weight yarn.
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The Sea Spray Crochet Shrug – The Back Panel
SEA SPRAY SHRUG CROCHET PATTERN
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Materials
Before you begin to make the Sea Spray Crochet Shrug please make sure to carefully read the materials you need, tips for choosing sizing and important notes on the pattern.
Terminology: American (US)
Skill level: Beginner
Skill requirements: Wip stitch for construction (sewing the arm openings).
Required materials: Yarn, scissors, yarn/ wool needle (blunt).
Optional materials: 4x stitch markers and a measuring tape.
Suggested Yarn: The sample piece used Scheepjes Catona (100% mercerised cotton yarn) in colours Bridal White (105) and Silver Green (402).
Get Scheepjes Catona HERE.
Hook Size: 3.5mm
Sizing: XS – XL
Gauge: 5 lattices (pattern stitch) across and 12 rows in each 10cm x 10cm (4” x 4”).
Yarn weight: Superfine / Fingering
Yarn quantities: Size XS – Bridal White 90 grams. Silver Green 65 grams.
Stitches & Terminology
sk skip a stitch
ch chain
sc single crochet
hdc half double crochet
dc double crochet
Multiples: The pattern stitch needs multiples of 4sts + 1, plus 1 for the foundation chain.
This means: if you want to make a custom size then chain in multiples of 4 until the length is long enough to go down both arms and across your back. Then chain 2 more.
Sizing Chart
Choosing a Size
The shrug is constructed from a rectangle using two measurements.
Sleeve to sleeve: This determines how many chains you will start with. This measurement determines the length of both sleeves and the back panel of the shrug.
Neck – lower back: This is how far down the shrug will come on your back and also how wide the arm / sleeve openings will be. This measurement is determined by how many rows you will make.
How to choose a size:
〜 If you are between sizes (e.g small / medium) then choose the larger size.
〜 If you cannot choose between sizes: chain according to the smaller size you are deciding between for the “Sleeve – Sleeve” measurement. Then drape the chain across your back and down both arms. If the chain comes down too far for you on each arm then go down a size or two. If the chain does not come down far enough on each arm then go up a size or two.
〜You may want the shrug to be longer / shorter on the back with wider / narrower sleeves than the chart measurements. If you want the shrug to be shorter with narrower sleeves then you need less rows. If you want it to be longer with wider sleeves then you need more rows.
Important Notes
When you create the foundation chain, you can use a measuring tape to measure the length of the chain against the measurement given in the chart for “sleeve – sleeve”.
You can also check that the foundation chain is the right length by draping it across your shoulders and allowing it to hang down each arm. If the chain is too long then you need to reduce the amount of stitches. If the chain is too short you need to increase the amount of stitches (see “stitches and terminology” for the multiples).
If you need to increase the chain length then add chains in multiples of 4 until it is long enough. If you need to decrease then chain then reduce the amount of chains by multiples of 4. Remember, your final stitch count for the chain should be in multiples of 4stitches +1, plus 1 for the foundation chain.
Using one colour or variegated yarn: To block the colours off on each end of the rectangle I added an extra row of single crochets. These are rows, 5, 9 & 13. If you work in one colour or in a variegated yarn you can choose to leave out these rows because you do not need to create defined stripes of colour. I do think however that these rows add some interest and definition to the pattern and would still look nice left in. If you decide to take them out then don’t forget to do the same when you finish the rectangle.
Making the Shrug Longer
The shrug is designed to cover the upper part of your back similar to a bolero. If you want the shrug to come further down your back then you can add some more repeats of rows 6-8 than is recommended from row 14 onwards. Note: if you make the rectangle longer this will make the openings for the sleeve wider.
Notes on the pattern stitch
Your rectangle may curl and the chain 7 spaces might seem uneven as you are working. Do not worry, this is normal. The edging will prevent the shrug from curling up because this project is not blocked. The chain 7 spaces are what gives the lovely wave effect to the shrug. These rows will sit flat once you are finished.
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The Pattern
The stitch count for the shrug is based on the XS size with the rest of the sizes in brackets in the following order: XS (S, M, L, XL)
FC: Using colour A (silver green). Ch 150 (166, 178, 190, 206)
R 1 1sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1sc in every ch to end of row, turn.
R2 Ch6, skip first 2 sts, 1sc in next sc, *ch7, skip 3sc, 1sc in next sc; rep from * to last 2sc, ch3, skip 1sc, 1dc in last sc, turn.
R3 Ch1, 1sc in first dc, *ch3, 1sc in next ch-7 arch; rep from * to end, turn.
R4 Ch1, 1sc in first sc, *3sc in next ch-3 arch, 1sc in next sc, rep from * to the end, turn.
R5 Yarn off and yarn on in colour B (bridal white). Ch1, 1sc in each stitch to end of row, turn.
R6 Ch6, skip first 2 sts, 1sc in next sc, *ch7, skip 3sc, 1sc in next sc; rep from * to last 2sc, ch3, skip 1sc, 1dc in last sc, turn.
R7 Ch1, 1sc in first dc, *ch3, 1sc in next ch-7 arch; rep from * to end, turn.
R8 Ch1, 1sc in first sc, *3sc in next ch-3 arch, 1sc in next sc, rep from * to the end, turn.
R 9 Yarn off and yarn on in colour A (silver green). Ch1, 1sc in each stitch to end of row, turn.
R10 Ch6, skip first 2 sts 1sc in next sc, *ch7, skip 3sc, 1sc in next sc; rep from * to last 2sc, ch3, skip 1sc, 1dc in last sc, turn.
R11 Ch1, 1sc in first dc, *ch3, 1sc in next ch-7 arch; rep from * to end, turn.
R12 Ch1, 1sc in first sc, *3sc in next ch-3 arch, 1sc in next sc, rep from * to the end, turn.
R13 Yarn off and yarn on in colour B (bridal white). Ch1, 1sc in each stitch to end of row, turn.
R14 onwards
Sizes XS Repeat rows 6 – 8 (9 times).
Size S Repeat rows 6 – 8 (12 times).
Size M Repeat rows 6 – 8 (15 times).
Size L Repeat rows 6 – 8 (18 times).
Size XL Repeat rows 6 – 8 (20 times).
TIP: Before you begin the last stripes of colour (below) to finish the rectangle check that the sleeves are wide enough for your arms. Fold the rectangle in half. Slide your arm up to your shoulder into the rectangle. If It is loose enough around your arm then continue with the next steps below. If it is not loose enough then make more repeats of rows 6 – 8 until the rectangle when folded in half is loose around your upper arm.
All sizes to finish
Repeat rows: 9 – 12 (1 time).
Repeat rows: 5 – 8 (1 time).
Repeat rows: 9 – 12 (1 time). Yarn off and weave in all loose ends.
Seaming
The Sea Spray Crochet Shrug – Folded Rectangle
Step One: Fold the rectangle in half. Along the bottom the two green stipes should be placed together while the white rows should be at the top.
Step Two: On the bottom left measure at least 8cm from the outer edge inwards. Do the same from the bottom right hand side of the rectangle. This will create the arm openings and the length of the sleeves. If you want the sleeves to come close to your under-arms then you can mark off more than 8cm. If you want the sleeves to begin further away from your unde-arms then you can mark off less than 8cm.
TIP: I recommend using a stitch marker on the bottom left and the bottom right on the very edges to hold the rectangle closed. Then use two more stitch markers to mark off where you want the sleeves to end. Try on the shrug. You will then know if you want to move the end of the sleeves closer to your arm pits or further away.
Step Three: Starting from the outside bottom points of the rectangle and moving inwards join both sides together using your preferred joining method. I recommend using a yarn needle and the WIP stitch to make the seams.
The Edging
The Sea Spray Crochet Shrug – The Edging
The Sleeves
RND 1 Yarn on in colour A (silver green) at any point on the outside of the sleeve. Ch, 1 and sc in each stitch around. When you come to a large chain space then make 3sc. To end the round slip stitch to the first sc of the round.
RND 2 Ch2, make 1 hdc in the same stitch. Hdc in every stitch to end of row. Slip stitch to the first hdc of the row.
TIP: If you want the edging to be longer here you can repeat RND 2 as many times as desired.
RND 3 Slip stitch in every stitch to end of the row. Yarn off and weave in loose ends.
The Main Panel
Be very careful you do not make the stitches too tight here in each round. If you do this it will pull the edges of the shrug in too tightly.
RND 1 Yarn on in colour A (silver green) at any point on the inside edge of the shrug. Ch, 1 and sc in each stitch around. To end the round slip stitch to the first sc of the round.
RND 2 Ch2, make 1 hdc in the same stitch. Hdc in every stitch to end of row. Slip stitch to the first hdc of the row.
Tip: If you want the edging to be longer here you can repeat RND 2 once more.
RND 3 Slip stitch in every stitch to end of the row. Yarn off and weave in loose ends.
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