Gillian Crochet Shrug | Free Pattern Page

This is a super simple construction technique of turning any rectangle into a fitted shrug. The lace rectangle is worked side to side from the center out. The short sides are sewn to create sleeves, and the collar is worked around the perimeter by working into the end of each row.

Browse more crochet shrug patterns in my 18 Shrug & Cardi Wrap Round Up Here

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Gillian Crochet Shrug

What you will need:

• 625 (690, 760, 840, 925) yds  or 570 (630, 700, 770, 854m) #4 worsted weight yarn
• G/6 (4mm) crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

Gauge:

2 shells = 4 in (10cm) and 8 rows = 7 in (18cm) in stitch pattern after blocking

Finished sizes:

36 (40, 44, 48, 52) in or 99 (99, 106, 114, 122) cm tall 26 (26, 32, 32, 38) in or 66 (66, 81, 81, 95) cm wide before collar or cuffs 3 in (7cm) collar, 3 in (7cm) long cuffs, 9.5 (9.5, 12, 12, 14.25) in (24, 24, 30.5, 30.5, 36) cm diameter

Shrug fits 36 (40, 44, 48, 52) in or 91 (101, 112, 122, 132) cm bust circumference sized for S (M, L, XL, 2X)

Stitch Guide:

Foundation oval, chain (ch), single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), double crochet through back loop (dc-tbl), slip stitch (slst), treble crochet (tr) and turning chain (tch).

Instructions:

Left Side:

Foundation Row: *Ch5, tr in 5th ch from hook. Rep from * 20 (22, 24, 26, 28) more times. — 21 (23, 25, 27, 29) foundation ovals

Row 1: Slst into first oval, ch4 (counts as dc, ch1), 7dc in next oval (shell made), ch1, dc in next oval, *ch1, 7dc in next oval, ch1, dc in next oval. Rep from * across, turn.—10 (11, 12, 13, 14) shells

Row 2: Ch3 (counts as dc), dc in first dc, ch1, skip 2 dcs, 1dc in ea of next 3 dcs, *ch1, skip 2 dcs, (dc, ch3, dc) in next dc, ch1, skip 2 dcs, 1dc in ea of next 3 dcs, ch1, skip next 2 dcs. Rep from * across, 2 dc in 3rd ch of tch, turn.

Row 3: Ch3 (counts as dc), 3dc between first and second st, ch1, skip next 2 dcs, 1dc in next dc, *ch1, skip next 2 dcs, 7dc in next ch3 sp, ch1, skip next 2 dcs, dc in next dc, ch1, skip next 2 dcs. Rep from * across, ch1, skip next 2 dcs, 4dc between last 2 sts, turn.

Row 4: Ch3 (counts as dc), 1dc in next dc, ch1, skip next 2 dcs, (dc, ch3, dc) in next dc, *ch1, skip next 2 dcs, 1dc in ea of next 3 dcs, ch1, skip next 2 dcs, (dc, ch3, dc) in next dc. Rep from * across, ch1, skip 2 dcs, 1dc in ea of last 2 dcs last dc, 1dc in top of tch, turn.

Row 5: Ch4 (counts as dc, ch1), skip 2 dcs, 7dc in next ch3 sp, *ch1, skip 2 dcs, 1dc in next dc, ch1, skip 2 dcs, 7dc in next ch3 sp. Rep from * across, ch1, skip 2 dcs, 1dc in top of tch, turn.

Rows 6 – 21 (21, 25, 25, 29): Rep rows 2 – 5, the four row pattern repeat, 5 (5, 6, 6, 7) more times.

Size Medium (40 in) and XLarge (48) Only: Rows 23 – 24 (26 – 27): Rep rows 2 – 4 once more]. Fasten off all sizes.

Right Side:

Row 1: Working in opposite side of original foundation row, slst into first oval, ch4 (counts as dc, ch1), 7dc in next oval, ch1, dc in next oval, *ch1, 7dc in next oval, ch1, dc in next oval. Rep from * across, turn.—10 (11, 12, 13, 14) shells

Rows 2 – 21 (23, 25, 27, 29): rep rows 2 – 21 (23, 25, 27, 29) of left side.

Note: the left side is exactly the same length as the right side, so how every many rows you completed on the left side, repeat that many on the right side.

Assembly:

Sew side seams per diagram.

Sleeve cuffs and Collar:

Row 1: Slst to any end of row, ch13, turn, dc in 4th ch from hook and ea ch across, slst into next end of row, ch3, slst into next end of row, turn. — 10 dcs

Note: To be consistent with this spacing for joining, on the cuffs each 3 sts is equivalent to one end of row on the collar.

Row 2: Dc-tbl in ea st across. — 10 dcs

Row 3: Ch3 (counts as dc), 1dc-tbl in ea st across, slst into next end of row, ch3, slst into next end of row, turn. — 10 dcs

Rep row 3 until perimeter of cuff and collar is complete. Sew first row to last row (or slst both thicknesses together). Fasten off.

Finishing: Weave in loose ends. Hand wash, block to finished measurements, and allow to dry.

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About Kristin Omdahl
Kristin Omdahl is a bestselling author, designer, and creative entrepreneur known for her “sensory storytelling” — weaving food, craft, and nature into unforgettable fiction and non-fiction. Her debut novel, The Sea Glass Journal, is a love letter to Florida’s Gulf Coast, exploring themes of healing, connection, and creative legacy.

When she’s not writing, Kristin shares crochet and knitting designs, recipes, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of her creative process with her global community on Patreon.