Crochet shrugs can be as simple as a rectangle folded into sleeves or as detailed as a lace garment with fit adjustments. These eight original patterns vary in dimensions, size approach, and construction notes.
Simple rectangle shrugs need almost nothing beyond a hook and yarn; the lace versions add a tapestry needle for finishing edges.
Shrug patterns to explore
1. Crochet Rectangle Shrug
Janne Kleivset calls this the lightest and most summer-friendly shrug of her patterns, an airy fabric with stitch details, and quite short, not a bum hugging shrug. It uses a 9 mm hook and medium weight cotton (Shiny Happy Cotton from Wool and the Gang), with two colors: about 186 yards of one and 155 of the other.
2. Lace Crochet Shrug
This lace shrug is one size, but the page has suggestions for adjusting it, and Janne says it is easy, light and comfy but still looks good. It is a wrap cardigan with a lace stitch, in a yarn that is cool for summer, and it works up quickly.
3. Lil Sedona Shrug
Lil Sedona is a boho shrug with no shaping: a back panel and two front panels are made as rectangles and seamed, then the sleeves are worked on. It uses a 6.0 mm hook, worsted yarn and about 320 to 498 g, in XS to L, and Jessica added a front tie because it sits loose on the shoulders. She notes that stitch counts may be slightly off in a couple of sizes.
4. Stonewash Shrug
Jess Coppom says not to let the dolman sleeves fool you, because the Stonewash is built from basic stitches and simple shapes, and is great for confident beginners. It is in Lion Brand Jeans yarn on a 5.5 mm hook, in two colors, with a wide collar and edging. Sizing is customizable, and the sample is S/M at 35 inches long and 54.5 inches wrist to wrist.
5. Fast + Easy Crochet Bolero
This bolero is made in super bulky yarn, and if you are sensitive to the fiber you can substitute a super bulky (6) yarn of your choice, after a swatch. Jess Coppom calls it easy enough for an adventurous advanced beginner, since you need to understand front and back post stitches, and you may learn a reverse single crochet finish.
6. Lotte Lace Crochet Shrug
Lotte Lace is a stylish lace shrug for cooler evenings at the end of summer, in Furls Wander (100 percent acrylic, worsted) using 7 to 10 balls depending on the size, with 6.5 mm and 5.5 mm hooks. Veronika includes a video tutorial that covers the Lotte Lace stitch, choosing yarn and hook, and seaming, and the amounts are given for nine sizes. She suggests blocking pins and mats.
7. Meadow Lace Crochet Shrug
Sylwia made this lacy shrug from one rectangle and says yarn choice matters because open stitches need to hang nicely. Her sample uses GAZZAL Baby Cotton, which is soft with enough structure for the lace and ribbed edging. The gauge is measured after blocking, the starting chains do not count as stitches, and there is a video.
8. Moonflower Crochet Bolero
Michelle rates the Moonflower intermediate. It is a lacy cropped shrug with a schematic, a gauge swatch section, and full video tutorials, and it is designed to fit well. The page covers the design, yarn, hook and finished measurements.
