If you’re looking for a project that’s part sweater, part wrap, and all comfort, this shrug is just the thing. It’s worked side-to-side, starting at the wrist and flowing across the back, which gives it a graceful, almost blanket-like drape.
The beauty of this design is that it isn’t fitted tight to the body—it hangs loosely and flatters a wide range of shapes. With its fold-over collar and softly textured moss-stitch panel, this shrug feels like a hug on a chilly day. Perfect for throwing over jeans and a tee, or keeping your arms warm while curled up with a good book.
Because the sizing depends on your own arm span, you can easily customize it. Just measure from one wrist, up over your shoulder, and across your back to the nape of your neck. That’s how far you’ll knit before working the second half.
What You’ll Need
Yarn: Approximately 400 yds of a worsted-weight yarn (choose a soft wool or mohair blend for drape; 10-ply works well).
Needles:
US 5 (3.75 mm) straight needles for the ribbed cuffs
US 9 (5.5 mm) 24" circulars for the body
Stitch markers
Row counter (a big help for keeping track of shaping)
Tapestry needle for finishing
Gauge: 17 sts and 24 rows = 4" in Stockinette Stitch on larger needles
Pattern Stitch
Double Moss Stitch (multiple of 4):
Row 1: K2, P2 across
Row 2: K2, P2 across
Row 3: P2, K2 across
Row 4: P2, K2 across
Repeat Rows 1–4.
This stitch is fully reversible, so your shrug looks lovely from both sides.
Instructions
Left Sleeve Cuff
With smaller needles, cast on 35 sts.
Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 3" (this creates a snug wrist fit).
Increase Row: K1, M1 across. You’ll now have 70 sts.
Purl 1 row. Switch to larger needles.
Begin Body
Row 1 (RS): Knit across (start row counter here).
Row 2: K3, P64, K3 (garter stitch borders).
Row 3: K3, work Double Moss Stitch on 64 sts, K3.
Continue in this way, keeping the 3 edge sts in garter stitch.
Shaping the Back Panel
Work even until Row 10 (WS).
Begin increases on Row 11: K3, M1, Double Moss across, M1, K3.
Repeat this increase every 10th row until the moss-stitch panel has 78 sts.
Work one more increase on Row 77 for 80 moss-stitch sts.
Shaping the Edges & Collar
On Row 81, begin increasing both bottom and top edges:
K3, M1, place marker (bottom edge), work moss-stitch panel, place marker, M1, K3.
Work even until the bottom edge has 5 sts (Row 83). Stop increasing bottom edge.
Continue increasing only at the top edge until it has 10 sts (Row 93).
From here, maintain:
Bottom border = K5
Top border = K10
Center = moss stitch panel
Work straight until piece measures your wrist-to-center-back measurement.
Right Half
Knit the second half as a mirror image, working decreases where you made increases. Keep track with the row counter in reverse. Finish with 3" of K1, P1 ribbing on smaller needles, then bind off in rib.
Finishing
Weave in ends.
Seam sleeves from wrist upward. The best method: slip the shrug on, fold back the collar, and pin the sleeves where you like the fit. Average seam length is 12–13" from the cuff, but adjust to your taste.
💡 Tips from experience:
Swatch the cuff first to make sure it’s snug but not tight—this helps anchor the whole shrug.
This is a great pattern for experimenting with different textured stitches in the center panel (rib variations, seed stitch, or basketweave all look pretty).
If gifting, pin first to test fit—it’s amazing how this style flatters different body shapes.
Get more details about this project
What you need
Yarn: Approximately 400 yds of a worsted-weight yarn (choose a soft wool or mohair blend for drape; 10-ply works well).
Needles:
US 5 (3.75 mm) straight needles for the ribbed cuffs
US 9 (5.5 mm) 24″ circulars for the body
Stitch markers
Row counter (a big help for keeping track of shaping)
Tapestry needle for finishing
Gauge: 17 sts and 24 rows = 4″ in Stockinette Stitch on larger needles
Instructions
Yarn: Approximately 400 yds of a worsted-weight yarn (choose a soft wool or mohair blend for drape; 10-ply works well).
Needles:
US 5 (3.75 mm) straight needles for the ribbed cuffs
US 9 (5.5 mm) 24″ circulars for the body
Stitch markers
Row counter (a big help for keeping track of shaping)
Tapestry needle for finishing
Gauge: 17 sts and 24 rows = 4″ in Stockinette Stitch on larger needles
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