Strawberry Lace Hem Shrug: Free Knit Pattern
Strawberry Lace Hem Shrug: Free Knit Pattern
Introduction
This dreamy little shrug is the perfect layering piece for cool spring mornings and summer evenings alike. Worked seamlessly from the hem up in soft DK merino, it features a delicate eyelet lace band and a sweet grey stripe just above the hem, then relaxes into plain stockinette for a clean, boxy silhouette. The two tiny felted strawberry pins at the neckline add a playful handmade touch you can move or remove whenever you like. It's a satisfying project for intermediate knitters who are comfortable with simple increases, decreases, and working in the round.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: DK weight, 100% merino, 200–220 yds (183–201 m) per 100 g skein.
- Dusty Rose (MC): 350 yds (320 m)
- Grey (CC): 100 yds (91 m)
- Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) circular needle, 24–32" (60–80 cm) long, or size to obtain gauge; a set of 4 double-pointed needles in the same size for the sleeves (optional).
- Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holders or scrap yarn, tapestry needle, two pin backs.
- Finished size: To fit bust 32–38" (81–96 cm). Garment circumference at underarm: 40" (102 cm). Length from hem to underarm: 10" (25.5 cm). Sleeve length from underarm: 16" (40.5 cm).
Abbreviations
- CO: cast on
- BO: bind off
- k: knit
- p: purl
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rnd(s): round(s)
- pm: place marker
- yo: yarn over (wrap the yarn around the needle to make a new stitch and a small hole)
- k2tog: knit two stitches together (a right-leaning decrease)
- ssk: slip, slip, knit the two slipped stitches together (a left-leaning decrease)
- kfb: knit into the front and back of the same stitch (an increase)
- p3tog: purl three stitches together
- MC: main color (Dusty Rose)
- CC: contrast color (Grey)
Gauge
22 sts and 30 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Knit a swatch in the round (or flat and measure the knit side), block it lightly, and check that your stitch and row counts match before you begin.
Tips Before You Start
- Count your stitches after every lace round. The eyelet band uses paired increases and decreases, so a dropped yarn over is easy to spot early if you check as you go.
- Use a locking stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round, and a second marker to track the lace repeat so you always know where you are.
- When you divide for the sleeves, place the 200 held stitches on scrap yarn rather than a small holder — the long, flexible strand makes it much easier to try the shrug on.
- Keep your bind-offs loose at the sleeve cuffs and top edge so the openings stay soft and stretchy.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Hem (MC)
Setup: CO 220 sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist, and pm for beginning of round.
Rnds 1–4: k (220 sts).
Rnd 5: *k2tog, yo, k8, yo, ssk, k1; rep from * to end (220 sts).
Rnd 6: k (220 sts).
Rnd 7: *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5; rep from * to end (220 sts).
Rnd 8: k (220 sts).
Rnd 9: *k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k3; rep from * to end (220 sts).
Rnd 10: k (220 sts).
Rnd 11: *k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k1; rep from * to end (220 sts).
Rnd 12: k (220 sts).
Rnd 13: *k2tog, yo, k7, yo, ssk; rep from * to end (220 sts).
Rnd 14: k (220 sts).
Rnds 15–16: k (220 sts).
Change to CC.
Rnds 17–20: k (220 sts).
Change to MC.
Body
Work in stockinette stitch (k all rnds) until the piece measures 10" (25.5 cm) from the cast-on edge.
Divide for sleeves: K55, BO 40, k90, BO 40, k55. Place the remaining 200 sts on hold.
Sleeves (make 2)
With MC, pick up and knit 40 sts along one bound-off edge. Join to work in the round, pm.
Rnds 1–4: k (40 sts).
Rnd 5: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 (38 sts).
Rnds 6–10: k (38 sts).
Rnd 11: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 (36 sts).
Rnds 12–16: k (36 sts).
Rnd 17: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 (34 sts).
Rnds 18–22: k (34 sts).
Rnd 23: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 (32 sts).
Rnds 24–28: k (32 sts).
Rnd 29: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 (30 sts).
Rnds 30–34: k (30 sts).
Rnd 35: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 (28 sts).
Work even in stockinette until the sleeve measures 16" (40.5 cm) from the underarm. BO loosely. Repeat for the second sleeve.
Yoke
With MC, return to the held 200 sts. Join to work in the round.
Rnd 1: k, picking up and knitting 1 st in each underarm gap (2 sts per gap) (204 sts).
Rnds 2–6: k (204 sts).
Rnd 7: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 (202 sts).
Rnds 8–10: k (202 sts).
Rnd 11: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 (200 sts).
Rnds 12–14: k (200 sts).
Rnd 15: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 (198 sts).
Rnds 16–18: k (198 sts).
Rnd 19: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 (196 sts).
Rnds 20–22: k (196 sts).
Change to CC.
Rnds 23–24: k (196 sts).
Change to MC.
Rnds 25–26: k (196 sts).
BO loosely.
Strawberry Pins (make 2)
With MC, CO 3 sts.
Row 1: kfb, k1, kfb (5 sts).
Row 2: p (5 sts).
Row 3: kfb, k3, kfb (7 sts).
Row 4: p (7 sts).
Row 5: k2tog, k3, k2tog (5 sts).
Row 6: p (5 sts).
Row 7: k2tog, k1, k2tog (3 sts).
Row 8: p3tog (1 st).
BO. Felt the pieces by washing in hot water with soap, then shape and let dry. Attach a pin back to each strawberry. Pin to the neckline as desired.
Assembly and Finishing
Weave in all ends on the wrong side, working them in gently so they don't pull the fabric. Because the shrug is seamless, there are no side or sleeve seams to sew — simply smooth the sleeve joins and underarm gaps flat. Block the finished shrug to the measurements given: soak it in cool water, roll it in a towel to remove excess moisture, then lay it flat and pin the hem, sleeves, and top edge to shape. Allow it to dry completely before attaching the strawberry pins.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Change the palette: Swap the grey contrast for cream, sage, or a deeper berry tone to suit your wardrobe.
- Adjust the length: Add or remove stockinette rounds above the hem before dividing for the sleeves to make the shrug longer or cropped.
- Pin it your way: Wear the strawberries together at one shoulder, one on each side of the neckline, or leave them off for a simpler look.
