Ice Blue Linen Stitch Shrug Free Knit Pattern
Introduction
This Ice Blue Linen Stitch Shrug is the perfect first "real" garment for a new knitter who wants something wearable without any shaping, increasing, or decreasing. It is worked flat as one simple rectangle in sport weight cotton, then folded and seamed to create two sleeves and a soft, drapey neck opening. Linen stitch gives the fabric a dense, woven-like texture with a subtle sheen that looks far more complicated than it is. The result is a light, airy little bolero that slips over almost anything and feels cool and smooth against the skin.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Sport weight (category 2) cotton. Approximately 800 (900, 1000) yards in Ice Blue (MC), plus 50 yards in Silver (CC) for the optional edging.
- Needle: 4.0 mm (US 6) circular needle, 32 inches or longer, to hold the large stitch count comfortably.
- Notions: Stitch markers (optional), a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, a tape measure, and blocking pins or mats.
- Finished size: To fit bust 32-38 (40-46, 48-54) inches. Rectangle measures 20 (22, 24) inches wide and 30 (32, 34) inches long before seaming.
Abbreviations
- CO: cast on
- BO: bind off
- st(s): stitch(es)
- K: knit
- P: purl
- sl1 wyif: slip one stitch purlwise with the working yarn held in front of the work
- RS: right side (the public side of the fabric)
- WS: wrong side (the inside of the fabric)
- rep: repeat
- MC: main color (Ice Blue)
- CC: contrast color (Silver)
Gauge
22 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in linen stitch. Knit a swatch at least 6 inches square, block it, and measure a 4-inch section in the middle; if you have more stitches than 22, go up a needle size, and if you have fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Linen stitch is dense and does not stretch much, so trust your blocked gauge rather than the unblocked swatch.
- Keep the slipped stitches loose and even; tugging them tight makes the fabric stiff and narrows the rectangle.
- Always carry the working yarn in front for the slipped stitches on both rows, or the woven texture will not form.
- Count your stitches after every few rows; the stitch count never changes, so any drift is easy to catch early.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Main Rectangle (worked flat in one piece)
With MC, CO 110 (121, 132) sts.
Row 1 (RS): K1, *sl1 wyif, k1; rep from * to end (110 (121, 132) sts).
Row 2 (WS): P1, *k1, sl1 wyif; rep from * to end (110 (121, 132) sts).
Rows 3-270 (3-288, 3-306): Repeat Rows 1-2 until the piece measures 30 (32, 34) inches, ending with a WS row (110 (121, 132) sts).
Final row: BO all sts loosely in pattern (110 (121, 132) sts bound off).
Assembly Seams
Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise with RS together so the two long edges meet.
Side seams: Sew each side seam from the outer edge inward, leaving a 10 (11, 12) inch opening in the center for the neck.
Sleeve seams: On each end, seam the sleeve edges from cuff to underarm for 7 (8, 9) inches, leaving the armholes open.
Neck Edging (optional, in CC)
With CC and RS facing, pick up and knit stitches evenly around the neck opening (about 1 stitch per bound-off stitch and per seam row, adjusting to an even number).
Edging Row 1 (RS): K1, *sl1 wyif, k1; rep from * to end (even number of sts).
Edging Row 2 (WS): P1, *k1, sl1 wyif; rep from * to end (even number of sts).
Final row: BO all sts loosely in pattern.
Assembly and Finishing
Sew all seams with a simple mattress stitch, matching the woven texture row for row so the joins disappear into the fabric. Weave in all ends on the WS, splitting each tail through a few stitches before trimming. Block the finished shrug to the measurements above: soak in cool water, gently squeeze out excess, lay flat and pin the sleeves and neck opening to shape, then let it dry completely before wearing.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Skip the Silver edging for a fully monochrome, minimalist look, or work it in a deeper blue for contrast.
- Make a longer, tunic-style version by adding 4-6 inches to the rectangle length before binding off.
- Use a cotton-linen blend for extra drape and a slightly more rustic woven texture.
