Granny Square Bolero Patterns: 5 Free Designs
Boleros and shrugs can use a large back square, folded motifs, or separate sleeves and cuffs. These three free designs show different garment constructions from their original creators.
1. Tulip Square Shrug by Wilmade
Wilma Westenberg’s US-terms Tulip Square Shrug starts with a textured tulip granny square, then adds two double-crochet front panels. The sleeves are flat rectangles seamed into tubes, and a continuous-round ribbed collar finishes this layering design in sizes S through 5XL. Open the pattern.
2. Crochet Modern Granny Shrug by The Crochet Crowd
Jeanne Steinhilber’s one-piece modern-granny shrug is sized by the finished square: 36 inches for XS-M, 38 inches for XL-2XL, and 40 inches for 3XL-5XL. Fold the square, seam from eight inches below the fold, then work cuffs and a border around the opening. Open the pattern.
3. Granny Square Shrug Cardigan by Ginell’s Crochet Therapy
This linked video tutorial is specifically for a granny-square shrug cardigan rather than a separate-motif garment. It shows the transformation from a large square into a wearable layer, making it a useful visual reference for the fold, arm opening, sleeve, and finishing stages. Watch the tutorial.
4. Faerie Grannie Shrug by HayHay Crochet
Heather Brooke’s free US-terms shrug begins with a 72-chain foundation worked into a continuous granny-style rectangle. Increase at four corners to the underarms, join corners for armholes, then add optional-length sleeves in the round. Sizing guidance runs from XS/S through 5XL. View the pattern.
5. Granny Square Bolero/Shrug by DIY From Home
This free video tutorial uses Soft & Shiny yarn and a 5 mm hook for a granny-square bolero/shrug. The written PDF is sold separately, while the video covers the construction using basic chain, slip-stitch, double-crochet, and half-double-crochet terminology. View the tutorial.
