Easy Knitted Shrug in Garter Stitch

At our recent Simple Living Toowoomba Rag Rug Workshop one of our very talented knitters brought along her shrug which she made last winter and I was amazed once again at how easy it looked to knit up. The whole shrug is knitted in garter stitch.

All you have to do is knit a rectangle measuring 76.2cm (30in) x 96.5cm (38in) and if you want a warmer one then add on a couple of inches.

I asked Margaret what yarn she used and she had a look at Spotlight to see if they still sold it but it is discontinued. You can see what it is like in the photo though. She used 5.5mm needles and cast on 120 stitches and the stitch count is 14 to 10cm. She used 3 and a bit 50g balls.

She added that 'a standard 8 ply is 20 stitches to 10cm and calls for 4mm needles. Best thing is to do a test square of stitches and needle size from ball band then if it is too "stiff" and not soft and drapey go a few needle sizes bigger and measure again to get the stitch count (which will be less) which will be multiplied by ten to give you the number of stitches to cast on.You would probably need 4 of the 50grm balls of standard 8 ply'. 

When you have knitted your rectangle then fold it over and sew up a seam to about half way up on each side. 'The 38-40 inch width (cast on) will become the sleeve lengths plus across your back, mine drapes nicely from knitting it that way and the length (30 inches) goes from your neck to your lower back. Keep in mind that knitting on fatter needles will sometimes give a bit of stretch and knitting tends to stretch more in the length than the width, you could suss this out when you make your test square for tension'.

This is what the back of the shrug looks like. Margaret is the model.

This is the front. All the info about the tension is a bit over my head but I can do knit a rectangle in garter stitch so might give it a try when I find some wool I like. Margaret's wool is light and fluffy and it makes up beautifully. This is such a simple to make shrug and I am sure that beginners will have no trouble with it. If you have any questions Margaret will be along to answer them I am sure. She is an expert knitter. You should see her beautiful socks she is always knitting. I was so inspired I borrowed a book from the library on how to start knitting socks but, once again, it was a bit over my head. LOL!

Have a relaxing weekend everyone. I hope that any of my readers who are in the cyclone affected area have your power restored ASAP. I heard on the news last night that it should be connected up by tomorrow so I hope that is the case. You are in my thoughts and prayers.