INTRODUCTION

Blushing Cloud

by Katrin Kolnes

Blushing Cloud is a shrug that is so soft and warm that it feels like a hug.

I got an idea to make this kind of shrug a few years ago. I had this vision about a fluffy garter stitch shrug knitted in some kind of mohair or alpaca or mix of them...very soft and fluffy like a cloud. Then I found this yarn (the color is called blush!) that was perfect for this project.

I wanted to keep the construction simple, with a rectangular shape and edges worked in the round. The focus here is on the yarn's plush texture and the classic look of garter stitch.

Blushing Cloud keeps you warm in moody spring weather. It looks good with jeans, skirts, dresses – whatever you choose.

model: Katrin Kolnes

photos: Liis Vikerpuu

SIZE

 XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
shown in size M with 3 inches/ 7.5 cm of positive ease at back chest width

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Back body width:  17[19, 20.5, 23, 25.25, 26.5, 28.75, 30, 32.5] inches / 43[48.5, 52, 58.5, 64, 67.5, 73, 76, 82.5] cm
Wingspan:  56.5[58.5, 60, 64, 66.25, 67.5, 71.25, 72.5, 75] inches / 143.5[148.5, 152.5, 162.5, 168.5, 171.5, 181, 184, 190.5] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Garnstudio Drops Air [65% alpaca, 28% polyamide, 7% wool; 164yds/150m per 1.76 oz/50 g skein]; color: 32 Blush; 5[6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9] skeins

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses an aran-weight blown yarn; an alpaca and merino wool blend is blown into a fine polyamide mesh tube. The yarn is warm, light and fluffy. You could use another soft, fluffy yarn such as another alpaca or mohair blend—I think it would especially suit white alpaca and pink mohair held together.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #10/6mm circular needle, 32-inch/80-cm long
1 set US #7/4.5mm needles for working short circumference in the round

Notions
tapestry needle
stitch marker

GAUGE

16 sts/28 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in garter stitch with larger needles
24 sts/28 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in K1, P1 rib (gently stretched) with smaller needles
13 sts/26 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in garter rib with larger needles
Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Construction method: The main part of this shrug (forming the sleeves and back) is made of one large rectangle, with edges sewn to form sleeves. The cuffs and body opening edge are picked up and worked in the round.

Garter stitch (worked flat)
Row 1: Knit.
Rep this row for patt.

Garter stitch (worked in the round)
Round 1: Knit.
Round 2: Purl.
Rep these 2 rnds for patt.

K1, P1 Rib (even number of sts)
Round 1: (K1, p1) to end.
Rep this rnd for patt.

Garter Stitch Rib (multiple of 5 sts)
Round 1: Knit.
Round 2: (K1, p4) to end.
Rep these 2 rnds for patt.

DIRECTIONS

Main Body
With circular needle, cast on 226[234, 240, 256, 265, 270, 285, 290, 300] sts. Do not join.

Work in garter stitch for 13[14.25, 15, 16.25, 17, 18, 18.5, 19, 20] inches/ 33[36, 38, 41, 43, 46, 47, 48, 51] cm (approx. 92[100, 106, 114, 120, 126, 130, 134, 140] rows at correct row gauge).

BO loosely.

Fold shrug in half with long edges together (to form a tube). Sewing long edges together, seam each side for 19.75[19.75, 19.75, 20.5, 20.5, 20.5, 21.25, 21.25, 21.25] inches/ 50[50, 50, 52, 52, 52, 54, 54, 54] cm, leaving a 17[19, 20.5, 23, 25.25, 26.5, 28.75, 30, 32.5] inch / 43.5[48.5, 52.5, 58.5, 64.5, 67.5, 73, 76, 82.5] cm gap in the center for body opening.

Cuffs
With smaller needles for working short circumference in the round and starting at seam, pick up and knit 45[48, 54, 57, 60, 63, 63, 66, 69] sts around the sleeve opening edge (approx 1 st for every 2 rows). Join to work in the round. Pm for beg of rnd.

Round 1: (K2tog, p1) around. 30[32, 36, 38, 40, 42, 42, 44, 46] sts.

Work in K1, P1 Rib for 1.5 inches/ 4 cm or desired length.

BO all sts in rib patt.

Repeat for second cuff.

Body Edging
Using circular needle, starting at sleeve seam at body opening, pick up and knit 68[75, 83, 93, 100, 105, 115, 120, 130] sts across one side of opening, continue to pick up and knit 67[75, 82, 92, 100, 105, 115, 120, 130] sts across other side of opening to beg of pick-up. Pm for beg of rnd. 135[150, 165, 185, 200, 210, 230, 240, 260] sts.

Work in Garter stitch rib for 2.5[2.75, 3.25, 3.5, 4, 4.25, 5, 5.5, 6] inches/ 6[7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15] cm.

Edging Increases
Round 1: (K3, m1, k2) around. 162[180, 198, 222, 240, 252, 276, 288, 312] sts.
Round 2: (K1, p5) around.
Round 3: Knit.
Round 4: (K1, p5) around.
Rep Rounds 3-4 5 times more.

Round 5: (K3, m1, k1, m1, k2) around. 216[240, 264, 296, 320, 336, 368, 384, 416] sts.
Round 6: (K1, p7) around.
Round 7: Knit.
Round 8: (K1, p7) around.
Round 9: (K4, m1, k1, m1, k3) around. 270[300, 330, 370, 400, 420, 460, 480, 520] sts.
Round 10: (K1, p9) around.
Round 11: Knit.
Repeat Rounds 10-11 3 times more.

BO all sts loosely knitwise.

FINISHING

Weave in ends. Block gently to schematic measurements.

A—Back width: 17[19, 20.5, 23, 25.25, 26.5, 28.75, 30, 32.5] inches/ 43.5[48.5, 52.5, 58.5, 64.5, 67.5, 73, 76, 82.5] cm
B—Sleeve length to underarm (not including cuff):  19.75[19.75, 19.75, 20.5, 20.5, 20.5, 20.5, 21.25, 21.25] inches / 50[50, 50, 52, 52, 52, 54, 54, 54] cm
C—Cuff length: 1.5 inches / 4 cm
D—Sleeve circumference:  13[14.25, 15, 16.25, 17, 18, 18.5, 19, 20] inches/ 33[36, 38, 41, 43, 46, 47, 48, 51] cm
E—Edging width:  6[6.5, 7, 7.25, 7.75, 8, 8.75, 9.25, 9.75] in / 15[16.5, 18, 18.5, 19.5, 20.5, 22, 23.5, 25] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Katrin Kolnes lives in Tartu, Estonia. She is passionate about knitting and other craft techniques, and keeps on learning and improving her skills.

You can find out more about her knitting designs and other knitting projects on Ravelry or Instagram.

Pattern & images © 2024 Katrin Kolnes