The Bald Eagle Shrug

First, thanks for all the positive feedback on the crocheted shrug I made this week. A few of you have asked for the pattern, so I'm putting together this little blog post to provide links to the original pattern, as well as the alterations I made to mine, and some photos, and tips.

I saw this shrug pattern online and was totally enamored with the snuggly, soft look of it. However, I wanted mine to be shorter, more like waist length, and maybe just to the elbows. At least for starters, I wanted to start small, see how it went.

Lion Brand also has free patterns for a variety shrug styles. And there are free patterns available on Ravelry.

So, here's the pattern for the one I made this week while camping at Bald Eagle State Park in Howard, PA:

Supplies:
About 500 yards of super bulky #6 yarn. I used Lion Brand, Heartland, Thick & Quick, the color is Katmai #151.
9mm or 10mm hook (the original pattern calls for a 10mm, but I accidentally used the 9mm and the shrug came out quite thick).
A measuring tape
Stitch markers
Tapestry Needle
Scissors

Steps:
1) Measure on yourself the length you want the shrug to be. I measured from my neck to my waist which was about 25 inches.
2) Measure on yourself (you might need a friend for this) the width from just above your left elbow to just above your right elbow while your arms are held out to the sides (imagine you are the letter T). Mine was about 28 inches.
3) Chain as many stitches as required to measure the length you chose in step 1 (neck to waist). Mine was about 55 stitches. Do not stretch the chain, let it be loose.
4) Single Crochet (SC) into each stitch of the chain until you reach the end.
5) Turn your work, chain one, and SC in the back loops only to the end.
6) Repeat step 5 until your work reaches about the width you measured in step 2 (elbow to elbow).
7) When I had still enough yarn left to do a couple more rows, I opted to turn my work 90 degrees and SC along the entire outer edge of the shrug creating a neat crocheted edge along all four sides.

8) Once the rectangle is complete, lay it flat and fold the corners down toward the center until the long sides (soon to be the arms) meet. It should look like this:

9) Measure about 5 inches in from the outside edge and place a stich marker on the top and bottom panels. You will stich together the arm panel next.

10) Line up the ends of the arms panels, and using the Tapestry Needle, stich the two rows of SC together, working from the center toward the armhole. Stop at the stich markers and either knot the end or work the yarn back to the center in an opposite manner (which is what I did below, it sort of formed an X). 

11) Repeat step 10 on the left side of the shrug. You should have the same number of stitches within each arm hole. 

Voila! You've made a shrug!

I'd love to hear how yours turns out, or if you have questions or comments about my instructions.

Love & Peace to you & yours!

~Jen