In the Middle
A Shrug
I was gifted two skeins of the lovely Malabrigo yarn in a secret pal exchange. I wanted to make something from them that used every inch of the yarn, I didn’t want to waste a bit. After discussing options with my friends in the RavelryHelp Chat room, I decided (with their encouragement) to design a pattern that used as much of the yarn as I could with no waste. This was the birth of the “In the Middle” Shrug. (Thanks Guys!) I have used an Open Twisted Rib stitch pattern that makes it very stretchy and pretty much one size fits all. I can wear this and I’m a size 16, and so can my daughter who is a size 5. If you need to size up or down, you can remove or add stitches in a multiple of 5.
Materials:
2 skeins Malabrigo yarn (or an equivalent weight yarn)
Size 9 circular and DPNS
Waste yarn.
Open Twisted Rib Stitch Pattern (for flat knitting)
The stitches are increased on Row 2 and then decreased back to the original number on Row 4. Be sure you end with Row 4 completed. Check gauge carefully as this pattern stitch pulls in.
Multiple of 5 + 3
Rows 1 (WS): k1, p1 tbl, k1, *p2, k1, p1 tbl, k1; rep from *
Row 2: p1, k1 tbl, p1, *k1, yo, k1, p1, k1 tbl, p1; rep from *
Row 3: k1, p1 tbl, k1, *p3, k1, p1 tbl, k1; rep from *
Row 4: p1, k1 tbl, p1, *sl 1 k2, spsso (pass over both knit stitches), p1, k1 tbl, p1; rep from*
Open Twisted Rib Stitch Pattern (for in the Round)
Row 1: p1, k1 tbl, p1, *k2, p1, k1 tbl, p1; ret from *
Row 2: p1, k1 tbl, p1, *k1, yo, k1, p1, k1 tbl, p1; rep from *
Row 3: p1, k1 tbl, p1, *k2, p1, k1 tbl, p1: rep from *
Row 4: p1, k1 tbl, p1, *sl 1 k2, spsso (pass over both knit stitches), p1, k1 tbl, p1; rep from*
To begin, you will need one measurement. Measure across your back from armpit to armpit. Then divide that number in half and write it below.
Half back measurement.
Provisionally cast on 48 stitches. (I used a crochet cast on method, but you used any kind that works for you). Using your working yarn start with row 1 of the Open Twisted rib for flat knitting. Knit in pattern until your work measures the length of your half back measurement. (mine was 10 inches) Then join your work and begin knitting the pattern in the round. Continue in the Open Twisted rib pattern for in the round until you are nearly out of yarn and bind off. Take your second skein of yarn, and undo your provisional cast on and put the live stitches on your needles. Proceed with sleeve # 2 in the same way as sleeve # 1.
Weave in ends. You can block if you’d like, but I didn’t block mine.
Mine came out with ¾ length sleeves. If you would like longer sleeves, you could add one more skein and make them a bit longer.
