Shrug Knitting Pattern

This shrug knitting pattern was inspired by the shawls wrapped around the shoulders of characters in the Outlander TV series.

These cloaks are often seen in tartan wrapped around the shoulders or draped over one shoulder.

Scroll down for the free pattern or you can purchase a printer-friendly ad-free PDF here.

What Is A Shrug Knitted?

A shrug is a type of garment, typically a short, cropped sweater or cardigan, that covers the shoulders and upper arms.

It is often worn as a stylish layering piece over dresses or sleeveless tops.

Shrug patterns can be knitted or crocheted, and they come in various styles and designs.

Knitted shrugs can be simple and straightforward, using basic knitting stitches like garter stitch or stockinette stitch, or they can be more complex with intricate patterns and cable stitch designs.

Some knitted shrugs are worked seamlessly in one piece, while others may be composed of several individual pieces that are later sewn together.

Scroll down for the free pattern and don’t forget to pin and share!

Inspired By The Outlander Costumes

If you have been watching the Outlander TV series, the characters when in Scotland are seen wearing the tartan from their clan.

The large shawls that feature the Fraser tartan are wrapped around the shoulders, sometimes arranged over one shoulder.

Inspired by the shawls Claire and Jamie are seen wearing I created a knitted shrug that can be worn off one shoulder or both.

This pattern is part of my Outlander collection, you can see the other Outlander patterns here. – Outlander Patterns {Beginner + Intermediate}

The Outlander TV Series + Knitwear

Inspired by Claire Fraser wearing beautiful knitted pieces, the shrug is knit with a seed stitch texture.

The design of the shrug is made so that you can easily wear it around your neck or off the shoulders.

The Outlander shrug is knit in the round and the size can be adapted easily by casting on fewer or more stitches.

Seed Stitch

Seed stitch is a reversible pattern, meaning that both sides of your work, the right and wrong sides, are identical.

The seed stitch texture gets its name from the raised bumps from the purl stitches, which resemble seeds.

This 2-row repeat knit stitch pattern is a classic reversible pattern, great for knitting scarves, hats, blankets, sweaters, and shrugs!

More Outlander Patterns

There are many more Outlander patterns in this collection, ranging from shawls, cowls, and scarves to fingerless gloves and arm warmers.

Visit the Outlander Pattern Collection Ebooks in my shop below:

• The Ultimate Outlander Knitting Pattern Collection – With 39 Knitting Patterns.
• The Complete Outlander Knitting Pattern Bundle – With 55 Knitting Patterns.

Popular Patterns

• Outlander Carolina Shawl Pattern
• Claire’s Rent Shawl Knitting Pattern
• Outlander Cowl Knitting Pattern (Claire Season 1)
• Outlander Brianna Fingerless Gloves Pattern
• Journeycake Sontag Shawl Knitting Pattern
• Beret Knitting Pattern (Beginner Friendly!)
• Outlander Claire’s Cable Knit Wrist Warmers
• Fraser Tartan Shawl Knitting Pattern

Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:

This shrug pattern is great for any intermediate knitters.

• Knitting cast-on methods
• Knitting Lessons
• How to cast on knitting
• How to cast off knitting for total beginners (step by step)
• How to knit garter stitch
• How to knit the purl stitch (for beginners + a video tutorial)
• How to read knitting patterns for beginners
• Knitting abbreviations and terms (US and UK)

Shrug Pattern

• Get the ad-free, printable PDF pattern HERE.
• Get the Shawls, Wraps + Cowls Ebook here.
• See ALL of the Outlander Pattern Ebooks here.

Pattern Notes

The shrug knits up quickly and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.

It has lots of coziness and can feel like you have a blanket around your body.

This is knit in one piece, it has no sleeves or shaping, think of boleros or cocoons – worn over the head and around the shoulders.

Laying flat the piece looks like a rectangle and the top of the shrug can be folded over to make a sort of collar when worn.

Seed Stitch

Seed stitch, also known as moss stitch, is a textured knitting pattern that creates a fabric with a bumpy, seed-like appearance.

To work the seed stitch, you alternate between knit and purl stitches within the same row and between rows.

It is commonly knit in multiples of 2 stitches.

The basic seed stitch pattern is created by repeating the following two-row sequence:

• Row 1: *K1, p1; repeat from * to the end of the row.
• Row 2: *P1, k1; repeat from * to the end of the row.

When working in multiples of 2 stitches, you will always have an equal number of knit and purl stitches in each row, which results in a distinctive seed-like texture.

Learn how to knit the seed stitch here. – How to knit seed stitch for beginners

Copyright Info

• Please do not copy, sell, redistribute, or republish this pattern. 
• If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
• You may sell items produced using this pattern.
• Do NOT use copyrighted photos for your product listing.
• For the copyright T&C please read my Terms of Use.

Skill Level – Intermediate

Gauge

10 x 10 cm /4 x 4 inches = 9 sts and 16 rows measured in pattern.

Measurements

• This is for small/medium sizes:
• Width = 21.5  inches / 55 cm
• Length =  25 inches / 64 cm
• To make the shrug in a larger size for example XXL – cast on more stitches, (seed stitch is knit in multiples of 2) and knit to a length that suits you.

*You can make it shorter or longer depending on your own preferences.

The Supplies You Need…

Yarns

• Classic Alize Lanagold (100g (3.53 oz)/240mt (262 yds) – in the color – 151 Dark Grey x 6 (S/M)
• See yarn substitutes here.
• *This yarn was knit with two strands together to make a bulky weight yarn.
• For a larger size – it is estimated that you will need 8+ skeins of yarn.
• Yarn Weight Guide (+ Conversion Chart) – Bulky yarn 05/Chunky/12 Ply.
• You can purchase Alize yarns from YarnStreet or on Etsy.

Needles

• 8 mm (US 11) 40″/100cm circular knitting needles.
• 10mm (US 15) interchangeable circular needles to cast off.

Notions

• Tape measure
• Darning needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers

Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK) List

• Cont – Continue
• K – knit
• P – purl
• PM – place marker
• Rep – repeat
• RS – right side
• St(s) – stitch(es)
• WS – wrong side

Pattern Instructions

Cast on 86 sts.

(Join in the round and pm, being careful not to twist sts)

• Round 1: (RS) K1, P1 to end of the round.
• Round 2: (WS) P1, K1 to the end of the round.

Rep rows 1 and 2 until the piece measures 25″ inches / 64 cm

Cast off in pattern.

Sew in all loose ends.

Tip – When you knit seed stitch, in the round or knit flat, you knit on top of the purl stitches and purl on top of the knit stitches as they come up.

View more Outlander Knitting Patterns here.