Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Indifference



In case anyone wonders:

Indifference
A Basic Top-Down Shrug with Tie Front

Size: Women's M, worn with zero to negative ease
In the words of the Yarn Harlot, "if you are the least bit clever," you could make a different size by dividing for the sleeves a bit sooner for a smaller shrug or continuing to increase for a larger one. However, a larger shrug would definitely require another hank of yarn.

Finished Measurements
Chest: 36 in. Length: 13.5" at center back

Materials
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Tonal [75% merino wool, 25% nylon; 462yds per 100g hank]; color: Blue Yonder, 1 hank
Needles: 1 size US7 32" circular needle, 1 size US4 32" circular needle, 1 set size US4 DPNs (optional) (I used Knit Picks interchangeable needles--love 'em.)

waste yarn

Gauge
23.5 st/4 inches in St st using size 7 needles
(But let's be honest. I only figured that out AFTER I measured. Try it on as you go.)

Directions
With size 7 needles CO 3st, PM, 5st, PM, 40st, PM, 5st, PM, 3st.
Row 1: K1, M1, [K to 1 st before marker, M1, K1, SM, K1, M1] across, K to last st, M1, K1.
Row 2: P
Row 3: [K to 1 st before marker, M1, K1, SM, K1, M1] across, k to end.
Row 4: P

Repeat these four rows until there are 96st between two center makers (back of the shrug), or until it fits around your arms and chest, then repeat rows 1-2 again.

Divide for sleeves
Knit to first marker and remove it, place sleeve stitches onto waste yarn, remove second marker, CO 5 sts, knit across back stitches, remove marker, place sleeve stitches on waste yarn, remove last marker, CO 5 sts and k to end.
P1 row.

Knit Sleeves
Transfer held sts from waste yarn to smaller needle (or DPNs). Pick up 5-7 stitches at under arm, knit all sleeve sts, and join to work in the round (using Magic Loop if circular needle), and work 4 rounds in garter stitch, starting with a purl round. BO all stitches purlwise. Repeat for second sleeve. (Did I really need to specify that?)

(The sleeves can be worked after the lower body is done, but my shrug required a whole hank, and if the sleeves are finished, you can keep knitting the body until you run out of yarn, if necessary.)

****Update:  For those who would like longer sleeves, after putting the sleeve stitches onto the DPNs or circular needle, instead of doing the rounds of garter stitch, place a marker at the center of the underarm and continue even in St st for about 3-4 inches (if you don't have fat arms, you can probably start the decreases immediately--I wouldn't know about that) then decrease two stitches every seven rounds as follows:

Round 1: K1, SSK, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1
Rounds 2-7: K all sts.

Continue decreases until sleeve is as narrow as you'd like it, then continue even until sleeve is as long as you'd like it.  (I made a 3/4 sleeve sweater with 11 decreases, ending the sleeve just after the last decrease.)

Lower Body
Row 1: K1, M1, k to last st, M1, K1
Row 2: P
Row 3: K
Row 4: P
Repeat these four rows until there are 200 sts, or until shrug almost reaches bra band and meets in front (or nearly so).

Cast on Ties
CO 35 sts, work across in St st, CO 35 sts.
Next RS row: K1, M1, k to last st, M1, K1.
P1 row.
Continue these two rows for 2 in.
Switch to smaller needle and work in garter st for 1 in.
BO all sts knitwise on a WS row.

If you have the yarn, you could single crochet or make I-cord around the neckline, but I kinda like the unfinished look. Oh, and I was out of yarn.

Weave in ends.

If you find any errors, please let me know by comment here or on Ravelry. Thanks!

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