Bead & Lace Cocoon Shrug

This shrug is a great alternative for a spring jacket. Or wear it any time and anywhere for a bit of extra warmth.

The pattern is given in 5 sizes from XS to XL. During testing, I receive mixed feedback on the larger sizes; some said it fit perfectly, while others preferred more length and more coverage at the front. And thus, I added in a few extra tips on how to crochet this to any size you want.

In a simple multiple of two, this shrug can be crocheted to any width that you want. Simply measure from elbow to elbow and chain accordingly. Then repeat the pattern rows until you have reached a desired height. Increasing the length will also increase the coverage at the front.

For an oversized shrug you could measure from just above your wrists and then keep going till it reaches past your hips.

It’s really that simple to adjust, which means you can crochet this for yourself or for your toddler and anyone in between!

Pattern Information:

Skill Level: Intermediate

Materials:

Yarn: Red Heart Comfort (16oz – 792m/867yds) or any #4 yarn that meets the gauge.
You will need approximately this amount of yarn for the sizes: [687yds/628m/13oz, (720yds/658m/14oz, 755yds/690m/15oz, 791yds/723m/16oz, 830yds/759m/16oz)]

Crochet Hook: K – 6.50mm

Gauge: 6″ over 16 sts, and 7″ over 20 rows.

Finished Size: To fit bust sizes 30, 34, 38, 42 & 44.

Abbreviations:

Bead St = Bead Stitch
Ch/Chs = Chain/Chains
FO = Fasten Off
Fsc = Foundation Single Crochet
Hdc = Half Double Crochet
Hk = Hook
Lp/Lps = Loop/Loops
Rep = Repeat
Rsc = Reverse Single Crochet
Sc = Single Crochet
Sk = Skip
Sl St = Slip Stitch
St/Sts = Stitch/Stitches
YO = Yarn Over

Notes & Special Stitch Instructions:

Bead St: Insert hk into indicated st, yo and pull through, (yo and pull through one lp on hk) twice, yo and pull through both lps on hk. When working the next stitch make sure the bobble is facing the right side. See Tutorial

Reverse Single Crochet (rsc): Working from left to right, insert hook in next st, yo and pull through. Yo and pull through both loops on hook.

Instructions are given for the XS. S, M, L & XL are given in parenthesis ().

The sleeves come out to the elbow. To make them longer, increase the foundation chains. To make it longer at back and for more coverage at front, do more repeats of pattern rows 2-5.

Pattern Instructions:

Loosely Ch 80, (84, 88, 92, 96) (or any multiple of 2 long enough to reach from one elbow to the next when arms are stretched out.)

Or, FSC 79, (83, 87, 91, 95), or any uneven number. Then skip row 1 and begin at row 2.

Row 1: Working into back bumps, sc in 2nd ch from hk and into each ch across. [79, (83, 87, 91, 95) sts] Turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, *work bead st in next st, sc in next st; rep from * across. [79, (83, 87, 91, 95) sts] Turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across. [79, (83, 87, 91, 95) sts] Turn

Row 4: Ch 1, (hdc, ch 1) in first st, *sk next st, (hdc, ch 1) in next st; rep from * across to last 2 sts; sk next st, hdc in last st. [39, (41, 43, 45, 47) ch-1 sps] Turn.

Row 5: Ch 1, sc in first st and in each st and in each ch across. [79, (83, 87, 91, 95) sts] Turn.

Rows 6-71 (71, 75, 75, 79): Rep rows 2-5, making sure to end last row with row 3. FO.

With Wrong Sides facing out, fold shrug in half so that the first and last rows align with each other. Pin in place and sew the two sides along the row ends leaving an opening of 5.5, (6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5)” for each armhole.

Set the seam by wetting it down and laying it flat to dry. I let mine dry between two damp towels.

Edging Large Opening:

Rnd 1: With Right Side facing, join yarn along the edge, and somewhere close to the seam. Ch 1, rsc in each st around; join with sl st in first rsc. [It’s not crucial, but I ended up with 156, (164, 172, 180, 188) sts] FO.

Edging for Armholes:

Rnd 1: With Right Side facing, join yarn along the edge. Counting each row end as a st, Ch 1, sc in each st around; join with sl st in first sc.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, rsc in each st around; join with sl st in first rsc. FO.

Edging Variation:

For a softer edge, use regular single crochets instead of the reverse single crochet.