Featuring a stunning granny square motif on the back, my versatile crochet shrug pattern is an easy project with no shaping, increasing or decreasing. Get the free pattern below or purchase the ad-free printable PDF from my Etsy or Ravelry store.
The construction of this granny square shrug is similar to my chunky cocoon cardigan pattern. I love the drape and fit of the chunky cardigan and wanted to design a new shrug that could be worn throughout the year. I used the same technique I used on my Queen of Diamonds poncho and Princess of Diamonds lap blanket… which is why I’ve named this crochet pattern ‘Countess of Diamonds!’
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I love how the technique worked out for this shrug with the position of the granny square at the back and the rows on the front. It gives the garment a boho vibe, perfect for adding flair to your everyday outfit or even as festival wear.
Instructions are written for sizes S – 5X in UK crochet terms and US crochet Terms.
How the pattern is worked
The cocoon cardigan begins with working a granny square and then the corners are worked to create the diamond shape.
To construct a rectangle from the square and to fit the different sizes, rows of granny stitch are added to extend the width on each side.
Once assembled, the ribbing around the edging and cuffs is crocheted and you’re done!
The magic happens in the assembly 🙂 Assembly is easy! With the right side of the shrug facing inwards, the fabric is folded in half. Measurements are made on each side from the top (where the fold is) and stitch markers are placed to show where to start sewing the seam. The seam is sewn from the stitch marker to where the folded fabric is open at the bottom (see image below).
The crocheted fabric is turned so the right side is facing outwards before working the ribbing. To work the ribbed edging, yarn is rejoined at the bottom front edge and continues to work around the back of the neck, returning to the bottom front edge on the opposite side (see image below).
The ribbing is worked by crocheting a number of chains, working back loop only stitches, slip stitching along the edge of the cardigan before working the next row. This repeats around until you reach the opposite side.
Finally, the sleeve cuffs are worked in the same stitches and the same technique as the ribbed edging. The cuffs are seamed together by slip stitching the beginning and end of the rows.
Related Crochet Cardigan Patterns
- With a one-row repeat, this seamless cardigan is an easy project. You’ll enjoy the freedom of choosing the length to suit your personal style.
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- Two hexagons also look great as a pullover! Check out the Moon Shimmer sweater pattern.
- The Stella granny square cardigan is worked in one large granny square for the back and smaller squares for the front. This made-to-measure cardigan is an easy make. You’ll find different designs and constructions in this collection of free granny square cardigans.
- My hooded granny stitch cardigan is the perfect garment to wear during spring and summer
- Worked in 7 rectangles, the Selene long cardigan looks great worn with a dress or t-shirt and jeans. You’ll find different designs in this collection of free long cardigan patterns.
- Looking for a quick make? These chunky cardigan patterns could be just what you need.
- If you’re wondering what to do with those odds and ends in your yarn stash (and a blanket just isn’t grabbing your interest), have a browse of these of patchwork cardigan patterns.
- Looking for simple but stylish? You’ll love this cocoon cardigan.
- Planning your summer makes? Try this lacy summer cardigan. This bright striped cardigan or long-sleeved cardigan worked in open stitches are great for the summer too. Browse these free summer crochet cardigans for inspiration.
- Suitable for wearing all year, you’ll have this two-row repeat cardigan worked up in no time
Yarn Choice
Lately I’ve been enjoying working with yarns that are a mix of fibres (15% wool and 85% acrylic gave this cardigan a lovely drape – even though it’s only 15% wool you can really notice the different texture).
When I saw Wool Warehouse had a deal on their Yarnsmiths Daydream Aran, even though I didn’t have a project in mind at the time, I couldn’t resist buying some to try it out. It worked up so well for this shrug! I will definitely use it again.
Blending 20% cotton and 80% acrylic gives the Daydream Aran some breathability and gives it a squishiness I love. Garments using 100% cotton can be quite heavy, but blended with acrylic this yarn worked up lightweight, perfect for a cardigan.
I used shade IC005 Ariadne in this free pattern. There are a total of 10 shades available in this variegated yarn with colours suitable for all different times of the year.
Here’s more information about the yarn and the care instructions:
| Yarn Weight | Aran |
| Ball Weight | 100g |
| Length | 225 metres / 242 yards |
| Needle Size | 5mm |
| Blend | 80% Acrylic 20% Cotton |
| Care Instructions |
| Washing 30 degrees |
| Do Not Bleach |
| Iron – Low / 110 |
| PCE Dry Clean – Gentle |
| Tumble Dry – Low / 60 |
Shrug Pattern Notes
- Sizing is shown as thus: S, (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X).
- Chain 3 counts as a UK treble/ US double.
- Chain 4 counts as a UK treble chain 1 / US double chain 1.
- Granny square is worked in rounds.
- Rounds are joined with a slip stitch to the top of the turning chain then slip stitching to the corner space.
- Corners are worked in decreasing rows.
- Extension for individual size widths is worked in rows.
- Choose which sides you want to extend with the granny stitch rows – the rows will be the front of your shrug.
- If you substitute the yarn you might find the side extension ruffles after row 1. Simply reduce the number of stitches worked into the chain 4 spaces.
- You might find it helpful to place a stitch marker in the stitch at the bottom of the shrug where the yarn is rejoined to begin working the edging.
- Weave in ends as you go.
- If you substitute the yarn, use the yardage and not the grams as not all weights hold the same lengths. If it is a different fibre/fibre blend, you may need more or less than stated in this pattern.
Level
Easy
Supplies and Materials
- 5mm / H/8 Crochet Hook
- Yarnsmiths Daydream Aran 1029, (1105, 1179, 1254, 1329, 1403, 1478, 1571) yds
- Stitch Markers
- Scissors
- Yarn Needle
Stitches and Abbreviations
| UK Crochet Terms | US Crochet Terms |
| Double Crochet (dc) | Single Crochet (sc) |
| Treble Crochet (tr) | Double Crochet (dc) |
| Double Treble Crochet (dtr) | Treble Crochet (tr) |
- Back Loop Only (blo): working in the back loop of the stitch
- Chain (ch)
- Slip Stitch (sl st)
- Space/s (sp/s)
- Repeat (rep)
- Skip (sk)
- Yarn Round Hook (yrh)
- Right Side (RS)
- Wrong Side (WS)
- Left Hand (lh)
- Right Hand (rh)
- Opposite (opp)
Crochet Shrug Gauge
7 rounds = 10 cm X 10cm
Measurements
Measurements for this crochet shrug follow the Craft Yarn Council guidelines.
| Size | To Fit Chest (inches) | Width of rectangle (inches) | Width including Ribbed Edging (inches) | Amount of Yarn (yards) |
| S | 32 – 34 | 38 | 46 | 1029 |
| M | 36 – 38 | 42 | 50 | 1105 |
| L | 40 – 42 | 46 | 54 | 1179 |
| XL | 44 – 46 | 50 | 58 | 1254 |
| 2X | 48 – 50 | 54 | 62 | 1329 |
| 3X | 52 – 54 | 58 | 66 | 1403 |
| 4X | 56 – 58 | 62 | 70 | 1478 |
| 5X | 60 – 62 | 67 | 75 | 1571 |
| Length of this cardigan for all sizes is 28 inches. | ||||
Purchase the easy-to-read, print-friendly PDF (ad free)
Included in the 15 page PDF:
- how the pattern is worked
- pattern notes
- clear written instructions
Shrug Instructions UK Crochet Terms
Ch4, join with a sl st to 1st ch to form a ring
Round 1: ch3, 2tr, ch2, * 3tr, ch2, * rep 2 more times, sl st to top of ch3, sl st to corner sp, ch3
Round 2: [2tr, ch2, 3tr] in corner sp, *ch1, [3tr, ch2, 3tr] in corner sp, * rep around, ch1, sl st to top of ch3, sl st to corner sp, ch3
Round 3: [2tr, ch2, 3tr] in corner sp, *ch1, 3tr in ch1-sp, ch1, [3tr, ch2, 3tr] in corner sp, * rep to last corner sp, ch1, 3tr in ch1-sp, ch1, sl st to top of ch3, sl st to corner sp, ch3
Round 4: [2tr, ch2, 3tr] in corner sp, *ch1, 3tr in ch1-sp, ch1, 3tr in ch1-sp, ch1, [3tr, ch3, 3tr] in corner sp, * rep to last corner sp, ch1, 3tr in ch1-sp, sl st to top of ch3, sl st to corner sp, ch3
Round 5: rep round 4 working [3tr, ch2, 3tr] in corner sps, ch1 before and after corner sps, 3tr in ea ch1-sp, ch1 before and after each 3tr
Round 6 – 16: rep round 4
Round 17: rep round 4, ch4, turn
Do not fasten off
Decreasing Rows (to transform the square into a diamond)
Working on the WS, work the first side of the square
Row 1: sk 3 tr of corner sp, [3tr, ch1] in ea ch1-sp to final ch1-sp, 3tr in final ch1-sp, dtr in ch2-sp of corner, ch4, turn
Row 2: sk 3 tr, [3tr, ch1] in ea ch1-sp to final ch1-sp, 3tr in final ch1-sp, dtr in final st, ch4, turn
Rows 3 – 15 : rep row 2
Row 16: yrh, insert hook in ch1-sp, yrh, pull up a loop, yrh, pull through 2 loops, yrh twice, insert hook in final dtr, yrh, pull up a loop, yrh, pull through 2 loops twice, yrh, pull through all loops on hook
Fasten off
Rep for the remaining 3 sides, rejoining yarn with WS facing in any ch2-sp
Extending sides with granny stitch working in rows
Choose which two opposite sides you want to extend
Row 1: ch3, tr in 1st sp, tr across to last sp (3tr in ea ch4-sp and 2 tr between corner sps between previous round), 2 tr in last sp, tr in top of ch, ch4, turn
Row 2: *sk 2 sts, 3tr in next st, ch1, * rep to last 4 sts, ch1, sk 3 sts, tr in last st, ch3, turn
Row 3: 2tr in 1st ch1-sp, *ch1, sk 3 sts, 3tr in ch1-sp, *rep to last ch-sp, 2tr in last ch-sp, tr in top of ch, ch4, turn
Rep rows 2 and 3 for a total of 11, (16, 19, 22, 26, 29, 33, 37)
Adjusting width: If you would like a wider shrug, add extra rows here (or you could go up a size).
Rep on opposite side
Fasten off
Assembly
Fold rectangle in half with RS facing in so that the first round and the final round of the rectangle are touching
With the fold at the top, measure 13, (13, 13, 13, 15, 15, 17, 17) cm on each side and place a st marker. Sew the seam from the st marker down to where the first and last round meet (see image in ‘How the pattern is worked’)
Ribbed Edging and Collar
Turn your shrug right side out and lay it flat as shown in the image in the section ‘how the pattern is worked.’
Rejoin yarn on the edge of the right side at the bottom of the cocoon as shown in the image in the section ‘how the pattern is worked.’
Set up row : ch1, 3 dc in ea ch4-sp, dc in ea ch2-sp, dc in ea st across. Fasten off.
Rejoin yarn at start of set up row
Ch15
Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc blo to the last ch, dc in last ch, sl st in the next 2 sts on the edge, turn
Row 2: dc in 1st st, dc blo to last st, dc in last st, ch1, turn
Row 3: dc in 1st st, dc blo to last st, dc in last st, sl st in the next 2 sts on the edge, turn
Rep rows 2 and 3 up the rh side, along the collar and back down the lh side
Fasten off
Sew in ends
Ribbed Sleeve Cuffs
With RS facing outwards, rejoin yarn at underarm of sleeve.
Ch 23
Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc blo to the last ch, dc in last ch, sl st in the next 3 sts on the edge, turn
Row 2: dc in 1st st, dc blo to last st, dc in last st, ch1, turn
Row 3: dc in 1st st, dc blo to last st, dc in last st, sl st in the next 3 sts on the edge, turn
Rep rows 2 and 3 until you reach the last st
To create the seam, sl st through both loops of the beginning and end
Fasten off
Weave in ends
Shrug Instructions US Crochet Terms
Ch4, join with a sl st to 1st ch to form a ring
Round 1: ch3, 2dc, ch2, * 3dc, ch2, * rep 2 more times, sl st to top of ch3, sl st to corner sp, ch3
Round 2: [2dc, ch2, 3dc] in corner sp, *ch1, [3dc, ch2, 3dc] in corner sp, * rep around, ch1, sl st to top of ch3, sl st to corner sp, ch3
Round 3: [2dc, ch2, 3dc] in corner sp, *ch1, 3dc in ch1-sp, ch1, [3dc, ch2, 3dc] in corner sp, * rep to last corner sp, ch1, 3dc in ch1-sp, ch1, sl st to top of ch3, sl st to corner sp, ch3
Round 4: [2dc, ch2, 3dc] in corner sp, *ch1, 3dc in ch1-sp, ch1, 3dc in ch1-sp, ch1, [3dc, ch3, 3dc] in corner sp, * rep to last corner sp, ch1, 3dc in ch1-sp, sl st to top of ch3, sl st to corner sp, ch3
Round 5: rep round 4 working [3dc, ch2, 3dc] in corner sps, ch1 before and after corner sps, 3dc in ea ch1-sp, ch1 before and after each 3dc
Round 6 – 16: rep round 4
Round 17: rep round 4, ch4, turn
Do not fasten off
Decreasing Rows (to transform the square into a diamond)
Working on the WS, work the first side of the square
Row 1: sk 3 tr of corner sp, [3dc, ch1] in ea ch1-sp to final ch1-sp, 3dc in final ch1-sp, tr in ch2-sp of corner, ch4, turn
Row 2: sk 3 dc, [3dc, ch1] in ea ch1-sp to final ch1-sp, 3dc in final ch1-sp, tr in final st, ch4, turn
Rows 3 – 15 : rep row 2
Row 16: yrh, insert hook in ch1-sp, yrh, pull up a loop, yrh, pull through 2 loops, yrh twice, insert hook in final dtr, yrh, pull up a loop, yrh, pull through 2 loops twice, yrh, pull through all loops on hook
Fasten off
Rep for the remaining 3 sides, rejoining yarn with WS facing in any ch2-sp
Extending sides with granny stitch working in rows
Choose which two opposite sides you want to extend
Row 1: ch3, dc in 1st sp, dc across to last sp (3dc in ea ch4-sp and 2 dc between corner sps between previous round), 2 dc in last sp, dc in top of ch, ch4, turn
Row 2: *sk 2 sts, 3dc in next st, ch1, * rep to last 4 sts, ch1, sk 3 sts, dc in last st, ch3, turn
Row 3: 2dc in 1st ch1-sp, *ch1, sk 3 sts, 3dc in ch1-sp, *rep to last ch-sp, 2dc in last ch-sp, dc in top of ch, ch4, turn
Rep rows 2 and 3 for a total of 11, (16, 19, 22, 26, 29, 33, 37)
Adjusting width: If you would like a wider shrug, add extra rows here (or you could go up a size).
Rep on opposite side
Fasten off
Assembly
Fold rectangle in half with RS facing in so that the first round and the final round of the rectangle are touching
With the fold at the top, measure 13, (13, 13, 13, 15, 15, 17, 17) cm on each side and place a st marker. Sew the seam from the st marker down to where the first and last round meet (see image in ‘How the pattern is worked’)
Ribbed Edging and Collar
Turn your shrug right side out and lay it flat as shown in the image in the section ‘how the pattern is worked.’
Rejoin yarn on the edge of the right side at the bottom of the cocoon as shown in the image in the section ‘how the pattern is worked.’
Set up row : ch1, 3 sc in ea ch4-sp, sc in ea ch2-sp, sc in ea st across. Fasten off.
Rejoin yarn at start of set up row
Ch15
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc blo to the last ch, sc in last ch, sl st in the next 2 sts on the edge, turn
Row 2: sc in 1st st, sc blo to last st, sc in last st, ch1, turn
Row 3: sc in 1st st, sc blo to last st, sc in last st, sl st in the next 2 sts on the edge, turn
Rep rows 2 and 3 up the rh side, along the collar and back down the lh side
Fasten off
Sew in ends
Ribbed Sleeve Cuffs
With RS facing outwards, rejoin yarn at underarm of sleeve.
Ch 23
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc blo to the last ch, sc in last ch, sl st in the next 3 sts on the edge, turn
Row 2: sc in 1st st, sc blo to last st, sc in last st, ch1, turn
Row 3: sc in 1st st, sc blo to last st, sc in last st, sl st in the next 3 sts on the edge, turn
Rep rows 2 and 3 until you reach the last st
To create the seam, sl st through both loops of the beginning and end
Fasten off
Weave in ends
Happy Crocheting!
Copyright Notice
The pattern and photographs of this design are the property of Sharon Goodwin at Jera’s Jamboree. This pattern and design are subject to copyright and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not share, resell, alter or redistribute this pattern in part or in whole. You may, however, sell any finished items you make. If you would like to include this pattern in a roundup, you may take one photo and link back to this pattern.
