Noro Stockinette Shrug Jumper Knitting Pattern

Noro Stockinette Shrug

What is Being Made

The Noro Stockinette Shrug is an easy-level knitted shrug designed in five sizes: Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large, and XXX-Large. This garment features finished bust measurements ranging from 38 inches (96.5 cm) for the smallest size to 54 inches (137 cm) for the largest size, with a length of approximately 19 to 20 inches (48 to 51 cm) depending on the size. The shrug is a classic layering piece that provides arm coverage while leaving the torso open.

Construction Techniques

This shrug is constructed using a bottom-up, seamed, and worked-flat approach. The garment is knitted in flat pieces on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for straightforward construction and easier seaming. The bottom-up method means the knitter begins at the lower edge and works upward toward the shoulders and armholes. Once all pieces are completed, they are seamed together to create the finished garment. This traditional construction method is ideal for beginners and intermediate knitters.

The pattern incorporates selvage stitches along the edges of the knitted pieces, which are edge stitches specifically designed to make the seaming process easier and create neater, more professional-looking seams. Stitch markers are used throughout the project to help track pattern repeats and shaping increases or decreases.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The primary stitch used in this shrug is stockinette stitch (abbreviated as St st), which creates the smooth, classic knit fabric that gives the garment its name. Stockinette stitch is formed by alternating knit rows and purl rows when working flat, producing a fabric with a smooth V-pattern on the right side and bumpy texture on the wrong side.

The pattern employs several standard knitting techniques to shape the garment:

• Yarn overs (abbreviated yon or yfwd in UK terms) are used to create new stitches, often incorporated into lace or decorative elements and sometimes used for shaping.
• Decreases including slip, slip, knit (ssk) are used to reduce stitch counts for shaping the armholes and sleeve caps. This decrease method involves slipping two stitches knitwise individually, then inserting the left needle through their fronts and knitting them together.
• Slip stitches are used to pass stitches from one needle to another without working them, often used at edges or for specific shaping techniques.
• Pick up and knit techniques are employed to add new stitches along finished edges, allowing for seamless integration of additional pieces or edgings.
• Three-needle bind-off is used to join two pieces together while simultaneously binding off, creating a strong, neat seam. This technique involves holding two pieces with right sides together on separate needles and working through both layers simultaneously.

The pattern includes reference to "no stitch" spaces on any included charts, which are indicated by shaded areas where stitches have been decreased or not yet made. Knitters work only the active stitches shown on the chart, skipping over these designated spaces to maintain proper stitch alignment.

Materials and Tools

The Noro Stockinette Shrug is designed to be worked in Noro Silk Garden Lite yarn in colorway #2169. The yardage requirement varies by size, ranging from 7 balls (50g each) for the Medium size up to 11 balls for the XXX-Large size, providing approximately 350 to 550 yards of yarn depending on the finished size.

The pattern calls for one pair of US size 8 (5mm) needles for the main fabric. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping, and stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches during construction.

The recommended gauge is 18 stitches and 25 rows to 4 inches (10 cm) over stockinette stitch using size US 8 (5mm) needles. Checking gauge before beginning the project is essential to ensure the finished garment matches the intended measurements.