These shrugs are knit in one or two pieces. Many of them are one knit as one rectangle and then seamed to create the armholes. No shaping, little seaming. These are great projects for beginners or any knitter looking for quick knitting gratification. Updated 1/26/26.
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
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Free Patterns
Robin's Egg Blue Shrug
Lace shrug knit flat in one piece with a 2 row repeat that creates a ripple lace and naturally scalloped edges to the sleeves. Just leave unseamed if you'd rather have a scarf. Designed by Barbara Hurd.
Daisy Shrug
Glamorous lace shrug knit flat in one piece with i-cord edging and seamed. Lace instructions are both charted and written. If you'd rather have a shawl, just leave unseamed. Designed by Filipa Carneiro. Available in English, Portuguese, Spanish
Summertide Shrug
Ethereal beginner shrug with an dreamy drape. Knit flat with garter stitch in one rectangle and seamed. No picking up stitches. Designed by Brome Fields. Sizes: 27-63” / 68-160cm. Knit with one skein mohair weight yarn. Web version is free. PDF available for purchase.
Drama Llama Shrug
Dramatic sleeved shrug knit flat in one piece with garter and stockinette. The bell shaped sleeves are created just by changing the needle size. Knit with two skeins of fingering yarn. Designed by Laura Groff.
- Get the free knitting pattern - scroll past yarn information to get to download
- See the Ravelry page
Buttoned Cocoon Shrug
Easy shrug knit flat in one piece in garter stitch and buttoned. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Plymouth Yarn Design Studio.
Simsbury Shrug
Easy shrug cardigan knit flat in one piece with a ribbed collar and seamed. No picking up stitches. Quick knit in Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Lion Brand Yarn.
Easy Cocoon Shrug
Easy shrug cardigan with cable detail on back. Knit flat in one rectangular piece and seamed. No picking up stitches. Designed by Susan Frick of A Box of Twine who says it is suitable for beginners. Knit with 2 strands of Aran weight yarn held together. Web version is free. PDF available for purchase.
- Get the free knitting pattern (web version)
- Get the pdf version on Etsy which also includes instructions for a headband
Chickadee Shrug
This easy shrug is knit in one piece with an 8 row repeat lace pattern and ribbing, and seamed. Quick knit in bulky yarn. Designed by Tanis Gray. Rated easy by Ravelrers.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Cascade Yarns® Pacific® Chunky on Amazon
Get more knitting patterns by Tanis Gray on Amazon
Ribbed Shrug
This easy shrug is knit in one piece and seamed. Designed by Erika Knight. Sizes 34-36, 38-40, 42-44. Pictured project by honeybeeknits. Excerpted from Glamour Knits
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See Ravelry page with errata
- Get Glamour Knits by Erika Knight on Amazon
Super Chunky Slouchy Shrug
Easy shrug in sizes for the whole family knit flat in a rectangle with super bulky yarn. Sizes from 2T to 5XL. Includes video tutorial so it's great for beginners. Designed by Michelle Greenberg.
Cozy Shrug
This easy shrug is a quick knit in super bulky yarn. The back is knit in one piece in garter stitch and then stitches are picked up for the border. Sizes Small to XX-Large. Designed by Red Heart.
More Free Patterns
Ribbed Lace Bolero
Easy shrug by Kelly Maher is a rectangle that is knit and then seamed to form the shrug shape.
Marni’s Simple Knit Shrug
Marni’s one piece shrug is knit in stockinette with double strands of aran weight yarn and seamed. Pattern includes video and photo instructions.
Speckled Shrug
Another folded rectangle shrug but this one from Lion Brand folds up with longer sleeves and more relaxed fit. Knit with ribbing at top and bottom and stockinette for the body. About 38 x 44 in. (96.5 x 112 cm), before folding and seaming. Pictured project by vcgroom
Cocoon Shrug
Shrug by Lion Brand is a quick project knitting 3 strands of bulky yarn together on giant size 50 needles. One size, about 27½ in. [70 cm] across. Shrug is very stretchy and will fit most sizes.
Shawl Collar Chevron Shrug
Amanda Berka’s design is another knit rectangle folded and sewn to form a shrug. Her design features a ribbed shawl collar and a chevron pattern in the back.
Fenstal Shrug
Melanie Leeb’s easy shrug / bolero features chevron lace and is knit in one piece and seamed. Available in English and German. Great for multi-color yarn!
Anthropologie Inspired Capelet
Julia Allen’s interpretation of Anthropologie’s “First Frost Capelet” from the Winter ’05 catalog is a quick knit with big needles and chunky yarn. Pictured project by hjortron
Boucle Cocoon
Hilary Carr designed this draped shrug for Be Sweet yarns. Seamless and reversible. XS/S, M/L
50s Ribbed Shrug
Super easy vintage pattern with only 5 steps and no gauge needed. (Don’t be confused by the cape directions at the bottom.)
Folded Rectangle Shrug
The pattern post is not in English, but there is a photo tutorial is clear and you can translate the page through Google or through the Chrome browser. Designed by Echtstudio. The basic instructions are
- Knit an elongated rectangle. Use any stitch pattern you want. (Note that the picture shows the shrug crocheted.)
- To determine the length of the shrug you measure from your neck to where you want the end of the shrug. Their example is 70 x 85cm.
- Fold the piece in half and sew the sides with a darning needle leaving at least one-third open for armholes.
- if you want to add sleeves pick up stitches at armholes, and knit in rib or other stitch.
Fringed Shrug
Schachenmayr’s long sleeved shrug is knit in one piece with garter and stockinette stitch, then seamed and embellished with fringe. Great with multi-color yarn!
Cassie Bolero
Easy shrug by DROPS Design features a diamond lace pattern. Worked flat in one piece. Size: S/M – L – XL /XXL – XXXL
Patterns for Purchase
One Piece Lace Shrug
Perfect for beginning knitters, this lace cardigan is knit flat in one piece and seamed. Sizes XS to 3XL. Fingering weight yarn. Summer Knitted Lace Shrug designed by Dana Young
Snowcloud Shrug
Hilary Smith Callis designed this shrug that is a knit quickly top down in seed stitch. Finished bust: 30.75 (34.5, 38.25, 42.5, 47.25, 49.75, 54.25, 58.5)” / 78 (87.5, 97, 108, 120, 126.5, 138, 148.5) cm. Worsted weight yarn.
Simple Shrug
Worked in a combination of garter stitch and stockinette stitch with simple shaping, it can be worked as is or used as a canvas for other stitches you want try. Designed by Jennifer Chase-Rappaport. It looks like it is knit as one flat piece and seamed. Rated easy by designer and knitters.
Honor Shrug
The designer says this shrug is an advanced beginner level pattern. The pattern is worked sideways in basic stitches and there is some knitting in the round with dpns, I assume for the cuffs. To fit bust 30–34 (36–40, 42–46, 48–52)” / (76–86.5 [91.5–101.5, 106.5–117, 122–132] cm) Quick knit in bulky yarn. Designed by Nomandlovu
Circle Bolero
The designer says this shrug is a beginner level pattern, requiring just basic stitches. Quick knit in bulky yarn. Designed by
The Mailo Design
Azure Thing Shrug/Cardigan
This easy lace shrug comes in two lengths – shrug and cardigan. XS (S, M/L, XL, 2XL/3XL)
Easy Weekender Shrug
This long-sleeved chunky shrug knits up in one weekend, according to the designer. Pattern sizes: small, medium, L and XL. Plus size pattern also available.
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