Stitch 28 Shrug

This week I took another stab at making a shrug, again using Nettie's pattern as a guide.  Last time, I used the Spaced Shell Stitch for the body of the shrug and had issues because shells don't stretch well.  This time I used stitch 28 because it still looks like shells, but it has some give in it.  I'm actually very happy with how this turned out, and intend to use this stitch for shrugs in the future. 

Following the 6T size of the pattern and using my trusty J hook, it ended up being adult sized as I had intended. 

I made this with Simply Soft Celestial yarn and a J hook.

Spaced Shell Shrug

So I've already shown you the pink and yellow shrug I made using Nettie's pattern.  Last time I was surprised by the size of the shrug, but this time I was prepared and used my larger gauge to my advantage and intentionally made this one adult sized.  For this one, I modified the pattern by using a completely different stitch for the body of the shrug: the Spaced Shell stitch.

Some modifications work better than others, and this would go into the 'others' category.  The shrug is the right size and fits, but it has no give in it.  Shell stitches generally do not stretch, so for the main part of a garment, shells are not appropriate.  I wish I had remembered that fact before beginning this shrug.  I can put it on fairly easily, but taking it off is much more difficult.  Each time I worry that I will either tear it or get stuck in it.  Neither has happened, but it is not comfortable. 

The next shrug I make I will use a more giving stitch, like the star stitch, or the star lattice stitch.  And I will make another, they are too useful and too quick not to make them.  Again, I learned a lot by experimenting with this. 

I made this using Simply Soft Dark Pine and a J hook.

Simple Shrug by Nettie

So, my friend Nettie has designed a shrug, ostensibly for toddlers and girls, that is easily adaptable for adults.  It is elegantly simple, and thus easy to modify.  It has a really clever design that makes it easy to work with.  I tried out her pattern, using the 6T size, and it ended up being big enough for me to wear.  The moral of the story is: pay attention to gauge! 

In any case, I now possess a bright pink and yellow shrug that I will likely never wear, but I learned a lot from the construction.  Had I made it the correct size, it would be perfect for a little girl.  I modified the pattern a little bit even on this first one because I was running out of yarn.  I made the bottom the same as the top when I added the collar.  I ended up using every inch of the pink yarn that I own, just finishing it with adjustment, so no scraps left! 

Today, I started making one, intentionally for myself this time, out of a dark green color that I will actually wear.  It's based on her pattern, but uses different stitches.  This pattern is great because it is so adaptable.  Anyway, she's selling this pattern at her etsy store, and I think it's worth the money because it makes shrug making simple instead of a nightmare.  She calls it a 'Girl's Summer Shrug' and has pictures of her daughter B actually wearing it.