How to Crochet a Shrug: Easy Pattern for Beginners

A shrug is a short, cropped cardigan without a front: it keeps your shoulders, back and arms warm and can be worn over a dress, blouse or sweater. You don’t need a sewing pattern to crochet a shrug, because the basic shape is a rectangle in half double crochet that you seam into sleeves at both ends. In this beginner pattern you’ll find measurements for sizes S to XL, the yarn amounts and ideas for the edging and collar.

How a rectangle becomes a shrug

You crochet a long rectangle, fold it in half lengthwise and seam the sleeves at both ends. The middle section stays open and forms the back and the neck opening.

• Width of the rectangle = sleeve circumference
• Length of the rectangle = arm span from wrist to wrist
• Sleeve seam = forearm plus part of the upper arm

To measure, stretch your arms out to the sides and have someone measure across your back from wrist to wrist. For three-quarter sleeves, subtract 20 cm from this length and make each sleeve seam 10 cm shorter.

Crocheting a shrug: what you need

• Yarn: 4–7 balls of 100 g, depending on size and yarn, for example Chunky Yarn Elora with Alpaca, 150 m / 100 g
• Crochet hook in 6 mm, plus a 5 mm hook for the edging
• Yarn needle, tape measure, scissors and a few stitch markers or pins

All you need are chains, half double crochet and single crochet. We show you how to work them step by step in Crochet for Beginners.

Which yarn is best for a shrug?

A shrug sits on your shoulders and arms. It should be warm and soft, but not heavy. Good choices are:

• Alpaca blends: warm and soft, yet still light thanks to the acrylic content.
• Multicolor yarns: with a simple stitch like half double crochet, the yarn itself becomes the eye-catcher.
• Chunky yarn: with a 7–9 mm hook, your shrug is finished especially fast and turns out really cozy.
• Fluffy yarns: they look soft and elegant, but the stitches are harder to see – better saved for your second project.

Our yarns for crocheted shrugs

Chunky Yarn Elora with Alpaca, 150 m / 100 g – 15% alpaca, 20% wool, 10% viscose, 55% acrylic, hook 5.5–6.5 mm, in gray and light brown. Soft, with a subtle sheen from the viscose. This pattern is written for this yarn.

Multicolor Yarn Tenero with Alpaca, 180 m / 100 g – 15% alpaca, 15% wool, 70% acrylic, hook 5.5–6.5 mm, multicolor. Several colors run through a single strand, so every row looks a little different.

Chunky Yarn Crush with Alpaca, 180 m / 100 g – 15% alpaca, 15% wool, 70% acrylic, hook 5.5–6.5 mm, 5 colors. Light and holds its shape well, in rich colors such as burgundy and olive green.

Chunky Wool Bella with Baby Alpaca, 120 m / 100 g – 30% alpaca (baby alpaca), 45% wool, 25% acrylic, hook 7–9 mm, in dark brown and brown. Thick, warm and quick to crochet.

Fluffy Yarn Alina with Baby Alpaca, 200 m / 100 g – 32% alpaca (baby alpaca), 12% wool, 22% polyamide, 34% acrylic, hook 5–6 mm, in white. Fluffy and light-colored – lovely over a festive dress.

You’ll find more yarns in Alpaca Wool and Multicolor Yarn, as well as with the filter yarn weight Aran (medium).

Sizes and yarn amounts

The ball counts are for half double crochet with a single crochet edging. For a wide collar (see Variations), plan on one extra ball. If your arm span differs a lot from the table, use your own length – the width depends on the size.

A quick gauge swatch

A shrug doesn’t have to be accurate to the centimeter. Still, a quick test shows you how many chains you need for the width: crochet 20 ch and 8 rows of half double crochet and count how many stitches you get over 10 cm. For example, with 13 hdc per 10 cm you need 45 × 1.3 = 58 stitches for a width of 45 cm. We explain more about measuring in our guide How to Knit a Gauge Swatch – the same principle applies to crochet.

Pattern: crocheting a shrug step by step

Sizes: S / M / L / XL
Materials: Chunky Yarn Elora with Alpaca, 6 mm and 5 mm crochet hooks
Abbreviations: ch = chain(s), hdc = half double crochet, sc = single crochet, sl st = slip stitch(es), st = stitch(es)

1. Crochet the rectangle

1. Foundation chain: With the 6 mm hook, chain until the chain measures 42 / 45 / 48 / 52 cm without stretching, then chain 2 more for turning.
2. Row 1: 1 hdc in the 3rd ch from the hook, then 1 hdc in each ch to the end.
3. Row 2 and onward: Turn, ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), 1 hdc in each st of the previous row. Work the first hdc into the stitch right next to the turning chain and the last one into the last hdc of the previous row.
4. Length: Repeat row 2 until the rectangle measures 125 / 135 / 145 / 150 cm or matches your measured arm span.

Count your stitches now and then so the edges stay straight. A long strip tends to skew a little as you crochet – after washing, it will lie straight again.

2. Seam the sleeves

1. Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise so the two long edges lie on top of each other.
2. Mark the sleeve seam at both ends: 33 / 35 / 38 / 40 cm from the short edge.
3. Seam each sleeve from the short edge to the marker. The least visible seam is mattress stitch, sewn with the yarn needle from the right side. It’s quicker to slip stitch through both layers: for this, the right side faces inward, and you turn the shrug right side out afterward.
4. Try on the shrug. If it feels tight across the back, undo a few centimeters of each seam. If it’s too loose, sew the seams a little further.

3. The edging around the opening

The edging turns the rectangle into a garment: it stabilizes the edges and sits nicely around your neck and back.

1. With the 5 mm hook, join the yarn at one sleeve seam.
2. Round 1: Work sc all around the opening, about 3 sc for every 2 row ends, and join with 1 sl st into the first sc.
3. Rounds 2 and 3: Ch 1 (does not count), 1 sc in each st, 1 sl st into the first sc.
4. For a cord-like finish, work the last round in reverse single crochet (crab stitch), that is, single crochet worked from left to right – as we explain in our guide How to Crochet a Blanket for Beginners.

If the edging ruffles, you’ve worked too many stitches. If it puckers, you’ve worked too few.

4. Sleeve cuffs (optional)

The sleeves are wide and drape loosely. If you prefer them snugger at the wrist, work 3–4 rounds of sc around each sleeve opening with the 5 mm hook. In the first round, crochet every 3rd and 4th stitch together, which makes the cuff about a quarter narrower.

5. Finishing

Weave in all ends. Hand wash the shrug at no more than 30 °C, press out the water in a towel and let it dry flat. While it dries, you can gently ease it into shape. You’ll find detailed tips in our guide How to Wash Wool.

Variations

• With a wide collar: Instead of 3 rounds of sc, work about 8–10 cm of post stitches around the opening, alternating front post and back post double crochet. For this you need an even stitch count in the first round. The collar wraps around your neck like a shawl collar. Our pattern How to Crochet a Hat shows how post stitches work.
• Ribbed look: From row 2 on, work every hdc into the back loop only. This creates fine ridges that run around the sleeves.
• Short bolero: Measure only from elbow to elbow and seam each sleeve 10–15 cm long.
• Knitted instead of crocheted: You can also knit the same rectangle in garter stitch. You’ll find the basics in Learn to Knit for Beginners.

Common mistakes

• The rectangle is slanting: A stitch was skipped or added at the end of a row. Count your stitches every few rows.
• The sleeve edge is too tight: The foundation chain was too tight. Work the chain with a hook 1 mm larger.
• The back feels tight: The sleeve seams are too long. Undo a few centimeters on each side.
• The seam is clearly visible: Sew in mattress stitch from the right side and pull the yarn only tight enough for the edges to meet.

Examples for inspiration

Here’s what your shrug could look like – in colors you’ll also find among our yarns.

Note: The images in this section are AI-generated examples for inspiration.

Frequently asked questions about crocheting a shrug

What is a shrug?
A short, cropped cardigan without a front that covers your back, shoulders and arms. In German it’s called a Seelenwärmer (“soul warmer”); similar pieces are also known as boleros.

How much yarn do I need for a shrug?
For size M, about 5 balls of 100 g in a medium-weight yarn, or 5–6 balls of chunky yarn. You’ll find the amounts for all sizes in the table above.

Is a shrug a good project for beginners?
Yes. You only need chains, half double crochet and single crochet, the shape is a simple rectangle, and there are just two short seams to sew.

How long does it take to crochet a shrug?
With a 6 mm hook and a few evenings a week, about one to two weeks; with chunky yarn it’s even quicker.

How do I wear a shrug?
Over a dress, a blouse or a thin sweater. With a wide collar, it looks almost like a short cardigan.

We ship the yarn for your shrug from Görlitz, with free shipping within Germany. Happy crocheting!