Pullover Shrug

The most elementary and historic of crochet stitches – the Slip Stitch – has modern effortless style. As a “pullover shrug” the stitch has a stretch and drape to rival knits, and works up quickly with a large hook.

This pattern is a new, enhanced version of one that was published as CGOA pattern #028, when the Crochet Guild of America had their own pattern line. I’m now free to offer this design here at my own pattern site and the pattern now encompasses a range of crochet skill levels.

Customizing options are included for more experienced crocheters. For less experienced crocheters, the main pattern is written with few abbreviations.

Skill Level

Easy-Intermediate because a bit of increasing is used for the mock cowl neck. It’s otherwise an Easy-level pattern due to the elementary stitch and simple folded rectangle design. (It’s mindless enough that I can make it while talking on the phone until I get to the cowl neck and beaded trim.) The looser gauge and larger-than-normal hook size might require practice for some crocheters.

International English equivalents for American measurements, yarn weights, and stitch terms are provided in brackets.

After using this pattern you will know (if you didn’t already):

• How to make the simplest fabric-quality slip stitch
• The importance of a hook-led stitch gauge
• A fun, easy beaded chain fringe that adds drape to a sleeve
• An easy way to construct a shrug or cropped pullover (a.k.a. “micro-shrug”)

Finished Dimensions

Center Back Neck-to-Cuff Measurement:

• XSmall-Medium: 27”-29”
• Large-2XLarge: 30”-32”
• 3XLarge-5XLarge: 32”-33” 

Options for customizing the fit are provided within the pattern for Intermediate-level crocheters.

Materials

• Crochet Hooks: Sizes M/9mm and L/8mm or sizes needed to obtain gauge.
• Yarn: 525 yds (630 yds, 735 yds) of a CYC #4 medium weight yarn {UK: between DK and Aran}. Yarn shown: Berroco Denim Silk (80% Rayon, 20% Silk, 105yds/96m per 1.75oz/50g skein), color #1415 Mystic. This yarn has been discontinued. It is a ribbon yarn with a knitted tube construction, but many types of yarn will look great. This simple stitch showcases a yarn with subtle color or texture variation, making a wide range of fashion looks possible. The sleek tonal silk-flecked yarn pictured here has a casual chic look that pairs well with jeans. A metallic yarn, for example, would give a dramatically different look.
• Two stitch markers
• Beads: 60 to 70 medium-sized assorted glass beads that have holes large enough for yarn to pass through. Shown: Cousin Corporation of America’s “Rainbow Glass Beads!” One 360g box of mixed colors used.
• Bead stringing needle (or a stiffener for the yarn end to aid stringing, such as glue, nail polish, beeswax, etc.)

About the Stitch Technique

For some reason, the slip stitch in English-language crochet books is rarely featured as a stitch for making fabric, even as late as 2010. Yet, an all-slip stitch fabric has important qualities for crochet. The often underestimated slip stitch is an antique form of crochet. It is often called “Bosnian Crochet” but is found in many cultures by many names, and is created with sometimes unusual crochet hooks.