Valley Yarns Shirred Shrug Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Shirred Shrug: Knitted Cardigan Pattern

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Shirred Shrug is a knitted cardigan-style shrug designed by Erika Flory. This garment features a distinctive shirred construction that creates textured horizontal sections throughout the piece. The shrug is worked flat on straight needles and seamed to form sleeves, making it an accessible project for knitters with intermediate skills. Available in four sizes—Small, Medium, Large, and XLarge—the finished shrug measures 21.5 to 28.5 inches from cuff to cuff, with a back width ranging from 14 to 20 inches depending on size selection.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs seamed construction and flat knitting techniques, meaning the garment is knitted in one piece on flat needles rather than in the round. The signature shirring technique involves strategic increases and decreases that create gathered, textured sections. The pattern repeats a specific sequence four times to build the shirred effect: stockinette stitch sections are interrupted by garter stitch rows, followed by a full-stitch increase row that doubles the stitch count, then decreases that return to the original stitch count. This expansion and contraction creates the characteristic shirred appearance. Finishing involves seaming each side for 3 inches to form the sleeve openings, followed by weaving in loose ends for a polished final product.

Stitches Used

• Knit and Purl Ribbing (k1, p1): Used for the cuff sections at both ends of the garment, providing elasticity and a finished edge that hugs the wrist
• Stockinette Stitch (St St): The primary stitch for the body sections, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric
• Garter Stitch: Worked in horizontal stripes between shirred sections, adding textural interest and definition
• Knit Front and Back (kf&b): Used in the increase rows to double the stitch count and create the expansion phase of the shirring
• Knit Two Together (k2tog) and Slip, Knit, Pass (skp): Paired decrease stitches used in the decrease rows to return the stitch count to its original number, creating balanced decreases

Materials and Gauge

The Shirred Shrug is knitted using Valley Yarns Southwick, a blend of 52% Pima Cotton and 48% Bamboo. This fiber composition creates a lightweight, breathable fabric ideal for a shrug that layers well over other garments. The pattern requires 3 to 6 skeins depending on size, with each skein containing 50 grams and 105 yards. The color featured is Persimmon, a warm, earthy tone.

The pattern calls for US size 5 and US size 10 needles, or whatever sizes are needed to obtain the specified gauge. The gauge is critical for proper fit: 32 stitches and 27 rows equal 4 inches in k1, p1 ribbing unstretched on size 5 needles, while 16 stitches and 20 rows equal 4 inches in stockinette stitch on size 10 needles. The difference in needle sizes allows the ribbed cuffs to be worked at a tighter gauge for better elasticity, while the larger needles create a more open, draped fabric in the body sections.

Finished Measurements

The shrug is designed to fit a range of upper arm measurements. Cuff width when unstretched ranges from 7 to 10 inches, intended to fit upper arms measuring 11 to 16 inches. The length from cuff to cuff spans 21.5 to 28.5 inches, and the width across the back measures 14 to 20 inches in stockinette stitch, providing options for different body sizes and fit preferences.