Circular Shrug

Fits sizes xsm-med (lg-xlg, 1x–2x)

Skill Level — Intermediate

Dress up this stunning shrug with a sparkling brooch and skirt, or go for a casual look by leaving it open with a pair of jeans. It may take awhile to make because of the close single-crochet stitches, but focusing on the results will energize you!

INSTRUCTIONS:

All hdc are worked in back lp only (blo).

Row 1: Ch 107 (116, 125), hdc in third ch from hook, hdc in next 13 sts (15 hdc), counting ch 3 as first dc. * In next ch, work (sc, ch 1, sc — V-st made), sk 2 ch; rep from * until you have 15 chs left — 26 (29, 32) V-sts. Hdc in rem 15 chs, ch 2, turn. Ch 2 counts as first hdc at beg of each row.

Row 2: Sk first hdc in back lp only, hdc in each of next 14 hdc, * V-st in next ch 1 sp, rep from * to last V-st, hdc (blo) in each of next 15 hdc, end with last hdc in tch, ch 2, turn. (15 hdc, 26 [29, 32] V-sts, 15 hdc.) Measure the width of your work. If it is not 30″ (33″, 36″) wide, changer to a larger or smaller hook.

Rows 3-60 (66, 66): Rep Row 2 or until center measures 21″ (23¼″, 27″). Sides will be flared. End off.

Next Step: Underarm Seam — Fold piece and sew 8½″ (9″, 9½″) seam on each side, leaving a 6½″ (7½″, 8½″) open sp (See Diagram B). Try shrug on and make sure armhole is large enough.

Sleeves (optional)

Make 2 — Pm on first st of each rnd.

Note: One side (armhole) is the foundation ch side, and the V-sts will be going in the opposite direction.

Rnd 1: Attach yarn to st at underarm seam. (Sc, ch 1, sc) in same st as joining. * Sc-V-st in next V-st, rep from * around armhole. Join to first sc here and throughout rem rnds on sleeve with sl st — 17 (20, 23) sc-V-sts.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, * V-st in next V-st, rep from * around, join — 17 (20, 23) V-sts.

Rnd 3-10: Rep Rnd 2 — 17 (20, 23) V-sts on each rnd.

Rnd 11 (Dec rnd): Ch 1, 1 sc in first V-st, ch 1, 1 sc in top of next V-st (dec made). V-st in each of next 15 (18, 21) V-sts. 16 (19, 22) V-sts total — Mark first V-st dec.

Words of Encouragement

My husband shared this from a seminar he attended once: “When you see results, discipline comes easy!” This can be applied to a crochet project or life. Even if you have not achieved the results you want, try to see the results in your mind. This is the “as if” principle. At age 16, when my daughter was in the Fourth of July Queen pageant, she was competing with many pretty girls. Before she went up on stage, I told her to smile and act as if she had already won. It gave her confidence and energy, and she won! Seeing things in your mind can be very powerful!

Materials:

4 (5, 6) skeins (3.5 oz./100 g/200 yd. each) yarn in plum

Size K/10.5(6.5 mm) hook

Yarn needle

Used in this project: Plymouth Encore yarn in Mauvetone

Gauge:

3 hdc = 1″

4 hdc (ribbed) rows = 2″

4 sc ribbed rows on cuff = 1¼″

1 V-st = 1″

4 V-st rows = 1½″ (each rib section is 5″ on each end)

Special Stitch:

Single Crochet V-Stitch (sc-V-st): Sc, ch 1, sc in designated st.

Rnd 12: Work 16 (19, 22) V-sts even, remembering to work first V-st in dec at beg — 16 (19, 22) V-sts.

Rnd 13: Rep Rnd 12 — 16 (19, 22) V-sts.

Rnd 14: Dec 1 V-st, as in Rnd 11 — 15 (18, 21) V-sts.

Rnds 15–16: Work even with no dec — 15 (18, 21) V-sts.

Rnd 17: Dec 1 V-st as in Rnd 11 — 14 (17, 20) V-sts.

Rnds 18–19: Work even — 14 (17, 20) V-sts.

Rnd 20: Dec 1 V-st, as in Rnd 11 — 13 (16, 19) V-sts.

Rnds 21–22: Work even. End off — 13 (16, 19) V-sts.

Ribbing for Sleeves

The first step is worked in rnds:

With RS facing, attach yarn to sc at RS of sc-V-st at underarm of sleeve.

Ch 1, sc in same st as joining. Skipping over each ch 1, sc in each sc around, attach with sl st to first sc — 26 (30, 34) sc. Remainder of cuff is worked in rows and attached to side of sleeve end.

First Row of Ribbing

All sts are worked in back lp only.

Row 1: Ch 7, turn, sc in back lp in second ch from hook and in each of next 5 chs, sl st in same sp as first ch, sl st in next 2 sc of sleeve, turn. Do not ch 1 — 6 sc on each row of ribbing.

Row 2: Skipping over beg 3 sts, sc in each of next 6 sc, ch 1, turn — 6 sc.

Row 3: Sc in each of next 6 sc, sl st into same st at beg of row, sl st into next 2 sc, turn. Do not ch 1.

Rows 4-26 (30, 34): Rep Rows 2 and 3. Turn sleeve inside-out and sew Rows 1 and 26 (30, 34) of cuff tog with yarn and yarn needle.

Finishing

Weave in ends. If you have holes where you attached yarn to start working sleeves because of a loose beginning ch, unravel a long piece of your yarn and separate 1 ply. Carefully sew the holes up from the WS with a sewing needle and 1 ply of the yarn as your thread for a perfect match.

Helpful Hint:

If you have an extra-large space from a loose stitch in a garment, just sew it together as you would a hole in fabric. Use the same color yarn, and untwist it to use 1-ply as thread.