I meant to blog about this sweater a while ago–I finished it just less than two weeks ago while marathon-ing Hemlock Grove on Netflix. It’s a super-simple pattern–basically just a big rectangle with some semi-clever seaming. Perfect for a beginner (or someone watching Netflix), and perfect to finally use the Noro Furisode yarn* I’ve been hoarding for over three years. I spent way more money than I should have on this yarn, and then could never find anything that was “worthy” of using it. I finally decided that if I wasn’t going to use it, I needed to get rid of it, so I used it. I’m happy I did though, I think this was a good project for it, and love how it turned out!
I didn’t actually follow any directions, but I looked at this pattern and then just used the idea without actually following instructions. My yarn and hook were larger, and I didn’t rib it since this yarn already has a ton of texture. I just crocheted until I was almost out of yarn and then seamed it up. Unfortunately, I’m not sure how much yarn I actually used because I’d re-balled the yarn ages ago, but it was a lot: 4-6 skeins. Let’s not do the math to figure out how much this project actually cost (hint: over $100).
But I’ve been wearing it pretty much nonstop, so it’s worth it. Right?
Love the pattern! I may have to see if I have enough yarn in my stash to make one because I just love me some sweaters.
This is really cute! I have a cardigan in this same sort of shape, but it’s just t-shirt fabric. Knit would be so much better! Great color palette, too.
That is awesome! I think I need to try to make one!
Huh, interesting. I wouldn’t have called that a sweater, but I guess what else would it be called? Lol. It does look very cozy and warm!
And speaking of Hemlock Grove, I really loved that show! Some in the blogosphere couldn’t stand it, but I found it very interesting and I really hope they do a second season! What did you think?
Yeah, “sweater” is a bit of a stretch, but it’s more than a shrug, so not sure what to call it! “Sweater” was the closest thing I could think to name it! It’s really cozy, love it.
Yes! I really liked Hemlock Grove, but had no idea it was a supernatural thing when I started watching it–not that I’m complaining, but it wasn’t what I was expecting at all. I found it really interesting, and do hope they have another season. Apparently it’s based on a book(s?), so might have to check it out!
You should! It’s really easy and very cozy!
Thanks! You should make one, it was super-easy and I love it!
It would be really cute with stripes so you could definitely do some stash-busting with it if you didn’t have a lot of one kind of yarn. Since it’s simple it’s nice and mindless too–perfect for some easy “I made this in a weekend” gratification. Which is how I like all my craft projects. haha!
looks so cozy. i want one!
What weight was the yarn and what size hook did you use? It’s beautiful I can’t wait to make one for me!
The yarn was bulky (I think? I can only find “medium” weight Furisode, but what I used seems thicker than medium…), and I’m not sure of the hook size. J? K? It’s not marked. I recommend checking out the original pattern, because I really just winged it! http://thecraftynovice.blogspot.com/2012/01/diy-comfy-crochet-shrug.html
Thank you 🙂 I’m very excited to start!
This is great! I saw a sweater similar to this one in a store and it was pretty expensive. This is waaay better and it looks great. I’m excited to get started! 🙂
Hi, how are you, you did an awesome job love your work…can please share the pattern you created on how to make this sweater shrug…more detailed step by step of what you did for this sweater… thanks for your time 🙂
Hey! It’s literally just a rectangle, seamed on the sides. Very simple! Please visit the pattern link I shared in the blog post for more detailed instructions and a pattern to follow!
I love this! Do you think it would work with a hood?
Well, I just finished the one I made for my daughter-in-law and she LOVES it. Heck even I do, so I’m mking one for myself too! I have it posted on facebook so now others want to learn how to make one for themselves… how cool is that? Thanks for this!
Oooh, that would be neat, though I’m not sure how to add it! If you make one, let me know! =D
Yay! Awesome! They are so cozy!
I know that you had followed your own sort of pattern with this piece, and that you based it off of similar patterns….but what type of stitch did you wind up using?? I’m not sure if you said it already in another comment reply…and I’m sorry if you did and I missed it. Such an awesome piece and I can’t wait to get started on mine!! 🙂
Pretty sure I just used a half-double-crochet! It’s been a while since I made it, but that seems to be the case!
Hi Erin, I’ve been wanting to make this pattern for my daughter who is a plus size women. Looking at you and how it drapes around your body I was just wandering what size you are. It’s obvious that you are not a plus size. I would have a better idea how much I might need to increase it. It really is nice to see it fully on a person. It also looks like you might have use a hdc. Thanks so much for the info you have shared. Keep your ideas coming.
Hey! I’m a size 6/8 US, and 5’5. If you’re not making it as a surprise, you can guess pretty easily off of the initial chain–just keep chaining until it can wrap comfortably around your daughter and you should be good to go! If it is a surprise, you could probably use one of her shirts as a reference the same way–just lay out the shirt flat and chain until you can go around it. I do believe I ended up using an HDC! Hope that helps!
I would like instructions on the seaming. I have almost finished the big rectangle anfpd I’m a beginner at crochet and never done seams.
I just use a slip-stitch to seam! Here are instructions: http://crochet.about.com/od/crochetstitches/tp/how-to-join-crochet-squares-together-with-slip-stitch.htm
its gorgeous I’m going to make me one
I haven’t crocheted in over 20 years. This beautiful shrug has inspired me to try again. Do you by chance remember the color name of the yarn. Thank you
I believe it’s this one! http://www.amazon.com/Noro-Silk-Garden-Yarn-Violet/dp/B008F8UL26 If it’s not, that’s the closest I can find to the colorway that’s currently available. Hope that helps!
I’m about to try and make this. Do you kno how to make the arm holes bigger? Do you just stop the seam farther down? Thanks. Your shrug is really cute 🙂
Just stop seaming when you have them as big as you want! 🙂
Hi, I saw this on Pinterest and fell in love. I’m a plus sized woman and noticed before that you told someone else who was planning to make it for someone plus sized to just chain until it feels comfortable wrapped around. Where on the body would you say to wrap it around? And how far around the body? It’d be great if you could lend a quick hand, I’m still a beginner but absolutely in love with this sweater/shrug.
Thanks!
I would chain until it’s comfortable around the largest part of your body! So in my case, I made sure it could wrap around my hips. 🙂
So the the 85 stitch chain was 38 inches? Not the 42 inches right?
Yes, approximately. I just winged it. Just make sure the initial chain can fit around the largest part of your body.
This is beyond gorgeous! If you want to give an estimate of the amount/quantity of yarn used, you could just weigh the whole garment. And you’ve mentioned that it was probably bulky yarn. Furisode has 165 yards to each 100 gram skein, so with the total weight of your cocoon/shrug, and that information, anyone inclined can do the math to figure out how much they would need of a single yarn.
Or with care in selecting colors, this would be a great stash buster project. I want one! Thanks for sharing your photos and notes!
Congrats! It’s amazing. I’m going to search for some yarn that i love to do it.
I love this Pattern and actually made a few since I first saw your Post and now making a Toddler one for my Granddaughter & one for me using Chunky #6. I love the Color’s you used and thank you for sharing the Post.
I love this! It is so beautiful! I am inspired to use some of my gorgeous luxury yarns to make something similar. I know what you mean about “worthy.” 🙂
Thanks for sharing this, and for the approximate amount of skeins used in the project. I’m checking Ravelry for people who have this yarn & are will to part with it. Some GORGEOUS colors!
~~CS
Did you fold yours the opposite way as hers? I much prefer how the horizontal stripe falls vertically from your neck, and has a smoother finish than the turned ends down the front edge.
I did, I thought it looked better with this particular yarn. You can fold it however you want as long as you do your measurements properly–make it large enough to fit around you the way you want it turned.
This is a beautiful pattern. I have wanted this pattern for a long time. Thank you for this and the alternative ideas for the design. I can’t wait to start one this weekend.
Hi, I love the sweater! Can you tell me where I can find the pattern?!
The link is in the post. 🙂
I got enough info from all the lovely comments and replies actually, you did a great job on the design and explaining! Thank you 😉