Purling Sprite

Loomy Q & A: How do you make a shrug?

It has been a few months since we had our last Loomy Q&A day, but thankfully, an avid loom knitter sent me a question and we now have a Q&A day.

Our question is this: I have a rectangle and I want to make it a shrug, how do I got about seaming it to make it a shrug?

First, thank you for sending in the question :). Converting a rectangle into a shrug is fairly simple. Fold your rectangle in half--lengthwise. Seam the sides leaving an opening in the center. How big of an opening? Measure from shoulder to shoulder and the opening should be at least that size.

A small graphic on how it should look like: it is not professional by any means but I think it shows the idea.

For a more tapered look, you may want to create a rectangle with narrower ends, you can start with lets say 30sts and then increase gradually to 50sts, work with the 50sts for the main portion of the back then decrease gradually down to the 30sts. 

Another option is to create the sleeves portion in ribbed stitch (k2, p2) and this will create a snugger fit around the arms.

A shrug lends itself to many possibilities, you can create one long rectangle with lots of cables, or you can create one with eyelets for a lacier effect, or just work it completely in stockinette stitch (knit every row).

Shrugs can be tight fitting or loose fitting. Pair a tight fitting shrug with your favorite little black dress, or make one for your little ballerina. Loose fitting shrugs are perfect for a cozy warm cover around the shoulders, perfect to wear with jeans or just with about anything in your wardrobe.

The shrug to the left was created about 3 years ago. Follow this link to see the pattern/quick notes that I wrote on it. It is double knit: created on a knitting board but the pattern idea is the same for single knit.

We hope the above helps in your looming quest to knit shrugs. Thank you for sending your question in.

If you have any loomy questions, send them in, and I will try to address them on the blog next week. Thank you and keep your questions coming!

Comments

Pocket Knitter Tutorial (Video)

Q: How do you use a pocket knitter?

The Pocket Knitter resembles a large plastic comb with extra thick/wide teeth that they call Fins. At first glance, you may think it is just a toy but once you give it a try, you will see that the knitting goes really fast and like a knitting loom it becomes addicting!

My favorite part about this gadget: the main stitch is the knit stitch, not the twisted knit stitch (TKS) like on a knitting loom. We can create the knit stitch on a loom but it takes a few extra steps (unless you do the flat stitch which at times can become very tight and difficult to knit) than the TKS but on this gadget the Knit Stitch is as simple as running the yarn from the back fins to the front fins and the back small fins keep the loops from getting too tight, producing a nice easy knit stitch. Definitely a plus in my book! The purl stitch though it is still as difficult as on a knitting loom.

Just like on a knitting loom, on your first knitting try on the PK you will have nice even stitches--no tension problems at all. A beautiful plus!

And here is a bigger plus: kids can do it too! The technique is actually a lot easier than using a knitting loom. It is summer time, if you have kids, run to the near craft store and pick one up and let them knit their own winter scarf.

For the tutorial, you will need the following items:

• Pocket Knitter and the tool included or any loom knitting pick 
• Yarn: Preferably a non-trendy yarn, a simply 4 ply yarn will be perfect for the job. I used Caron Simply Soft Quick

The tutorial is in video form below. It is about 10 minutes long and it shows the following:

• Overview of the Pocket Knitter
• Cast on
• Knit Stitch
• Purl Stitch
• Bind off