Bessie Retro Crochet Shrug Pattern

Introducing the Bessie crochet shrug pattern, the new addition to the Bessie collection from summer. With the weather cooling down, I am leaning towards simple crochet garments that provide just the right amount of warmth.

This is a unique project that can be completed over just a few hours or days. Relaxing and rewarding project.

You only need a few balls of yarn in worsted weight.

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Get a print friendly copy, color coded for each size, and with stepwise photos on either Ravelry or on Etsy.

Retro Crochet Shrug Pattern Details 

Materials

Yarn –  24/7 Cotton – Worsted weight, #4 lightweight (100% Cotton, 186 yd/170 m per 3.5 oz/100g skein)

Estimated Total Yardage

440  (480, 520, 580, 620, 680, 720, 880, 920) Yards

Hook – 5 mm Crochet Hook

Gauge – 20 sts over 10 Rows = 4 x 4” made using the stitch pattern, before blocking.

Gauge pattern

Chain 20 and follow the pattern for 10 rows.

Pattern Notes

1. Please kindly read through the pattern before starting.
2. The stitch count is written after each row/round, with the smallest XS written first and the others in the ().
3. Stitch count written in black is for all sizes, but at some points, the stitch counts are color-coded for clarity, i.e. XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)

Difficulty Level – Intermediate

Terms – US Terminology

Stitches Abbreviations

Chain/chains – ch/chs

Chain space – ch sp

Stitch(es) – st(s) 

Slip Stitch – sl st

Single Crochet – sc

Double crochet – dc

Special Stitch

V stitch = (dc, ch 3, dc)

Finished Measurements 

Size(s) and color codes – XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)

Bust Measurement: 30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62)”

Armhole Circumference: 14 (14, 16, 16, 16, 16, 18, 18, 18)” 

Construction Notes

1. This project is made in flat (rows), after which the panels are joined together at the shoulder seam and the sides.
2. The project works from top down – neckline towards the chest (depending on how long you want yours to be) with no need to shape necklines or armholes.
3. Section 1 starts from the neckline, and you can stop once you have reached your desired length. This should ideally be around your bust.

Picking a size:

Fitted version:

• Use your bust measurement for a fitted top.

Oversized fit:

• Go up 1 or 2 sizes for a relaxed/positive fit.

The model top is a XL on a model with M bust. So, mine has a 8” of positive ease on me.

Retro crochet shrug pattern

Section 1 – Front and Back Panels

Make 2

Chain 60 (68, 76, 84, 92, 100, 108, 116, 124)

Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, *ch 2, skip next 3 chs, sc in next ch, ch 2, skip next 3 chs, (dc, ch 3, dc) in next ch, rep from * until the last 8 chains, ch 2, skip next 3 chs, sc in next ch, ch 2, skip next 3 chs, 2 dc in last ch, turn. 4 dc, 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) V sts, 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) sc

Row 2: Ch 1 (count as a st, here and throughout), sc in next st, *ch 2, skip ch sp, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next st, ch 2, skip next (ch sp and st), sc in ch 3 sp, rep from * until the last V st, ch 2, skip ch sp, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next st, ch 2, sc in last 2 sts, turn. 10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) sc, 28 (32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60) dc

Your piece should measure about 15 (17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31)”

Row 3: Ch 3 (count as a st, here and throughout), dc in next st, *ch 2, sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, skip next (2 sts and ch 2 sp), (dc, ch 3, dc) in next st, rep from * until the last sc before dc cluster, ch 2, sc in next ch 1 sp, skip next (2 sts and ch 2 sp), ch 2, dc in last 2 sts, turn. 4 dc, 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) V sts, 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) sc

Row 4 – 17: Rep Rows 2 – 3

Row 18: Rep Row 2

Edging 

• Crocheting around the whole piece.
• With the right side facing (the odd rows give the right side). 

Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each st around, aim for 2 sc in each ch sp/dc st around, (sc, ch 1, sc) at each corner, join

Section 2: Sleeves:

Make 2

chain 60 (60, 68, 68, 68, 68, 76, 76, 76)

Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, *ch 2, skip next 3 chs, sc in next ch, ch 2, skip next 3 chs, (dc, ch 3, dc) in next ch, rep from * until the last 8 chains, ch 2, skip next 3 chs, sc in next ch, ch 2, skip next 3 chs, 2 dc in last ch, turn.  4 dc, 6 (6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8) V sts, 7 (7, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9) sc

Row 2: Ch 1 (count as a st, here and throughout), sc in next st, *ch 2, skip ch sp, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next st, ch 2, skip next (ch sp and st), sc in ch 3 sp, rep from * until the last V st, ch 2, skip ch sp, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next st, ch 2, sc in last 2 sts, turn. 10 (10, 11, 11, 11, 11, 12, 12, 12) sc, 28 (28, 32, 32, 32, 32, 36, 36, 36) dc

Row 3: Ch 3 (count as a st, here and throughout), dc in next st, *ch 2, sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, skip next (2 sts and ch 2 sp), (dc, ch 3, dc) in next st, rep until the last sc, ch 2, sc in next ch 1 sp, skip next (2 sts and ch 2 sp), ch 2, dc in last 2 sts, turn.  4 dc, 6 (6, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8) V sts, 7 (7, 8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9) sc

Row 4 – 31: Rep Rows 2 – 3

Row 32: Rep Row 2

Edging 

• Crocheting around the whole piece.
• With the right side facing.
• I used MC

Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each st around, aim for 2 sc in each ch sp/dc st around, (sc, ch 1, sc) at each corner, join

Finishing and Joining

Shoulder seam(s)

Turn both panels made in section 1 to the wrong side.

• Place the front panel over the back panel, with the right side facing the other.
• Measure about 3” from the side of the panels towards the neckline, and secure with a stitch marker.
• Join yarn with a slip stitch to ch 1 sp at the corner of the edging.
• Crocheting from the edge towards the stitch maker, ch 1, sc over both panels.
• Fasten off and repeat on the other side.
• Try the piece on and adjust the amount joined for a more comfortable fit.

Joining the sleeves to the bodies

• Pick up your main panel.
• Fold the main panel in two (as if you are putting it on).
• The folded edge of the sleeves should be a continuation of the folded edge of the main panel.
• Open the main panel with the wrong side up. Make sure the sleeve is wrong side up. Attach with a stitch marker the outer edges of the sleeve to the main panel.
• Count an equal number of stitches on the sleeve and the main panel.
• Sew the edge of the sleeve to the main panel. 

Sleeve Seam(s) 

• With the wrong side facing you, sew the sides of the sleeves together, starting from the sleeve cuffs towards the body.
• For a few sizes, you will have more stitches left on the front and back panels after sewing the sleeves. Sew these sts together. 

Neckline Edging – Optional

Join yarn to any stitch around the neckline.

Crocheting around and the corresponding stitches on the back panel.

Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with a sl st to the beginning chain.

Weave in all ends.

Block your Bessie Retro Crochet Shrug to measurement.