I’m Allison Bostrom, the designer, creator, and very-much-still-learning photographer/social media manager behind Clair de Lune Fiber Art. I design stimulating crochet and knit patterns for everything from garments and accessories to homewares. My goal in writing patterns is to encourage makers to learn new stitches and construction techniques, or to reconsider the ones they know. Though working with yarn is always relaxing for me, I find a real joy in pushing myself to do something new and different with yarn. Wherever possible, I include photo tutorials for both lefties and righties to make my patterns more approachable. I’d love to have you follow along with me – you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, as well as my email list.
When I don’t have yarn in my hands (or even when I do – there are very few waking hours not occupied by yarn!), you can find me reading, cooking, baking, gardening, playing guitar and piano, or working on schoolwork. I have a Masters degree in astrophysics, but after leaving the toxic environment of science academia, I am now working on a degree in International Development (I know, I have a lot of interests!). A love of yarn is one of the constants in my hectic life.
I’m so excited to be bringing you the free pattern for this lacy crochet shrug here on Desamour Designs! I absolutely love spring, and one of my favorite things is seeing those first purple crocuses peek their heads up. It’s a beautiful reminder that warmer, greener days are ahead! This happy annual occurrence inspired the lace panel that runs up the back of this little shrug. Made with fine cotton yarn, the Crocus Cocoon Shrug is the ideal light layer for spring picnics or even weddings. It is graded for three sizes covering bust measurements 30″/76 cm to 62″/158 cm, so everyone can join in the fun! I hope you give this pattern a try – tag me @clairdelunefiberart and use the hashtag #crocuscocoon so I can admire your work and color choices!
Materials
Sport (2) weight cotton/cotton blend yarn in two colors [I used Premier Yarns Cotton Fair in Lavender for color A (CA) Cream for color B (CB)]
- 120 (145, 180) yd CA
- 950 (1220, 1550) yd CB
D/3.25 mm (for lace) and F/2.75 mm (for main body) crochet hooks, or size(s) needed to obtain gauge
Tape measure
Scissors
Yarn needle
Sizes
Sizes 1 (2, 3) to fit bust 30-40 (41-51, 52-62)”/76-102 (104-130, 132-158) cm
Abbreviations
| ch | chain |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| fdc | foundation double crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| CSDC | chainless starting dc |
| sk | skip |
| rep | repeat |
| sp(s) | space(s) |
| FO | fasten off |
Special Stitches
4-dc cl = [Yarn over (yo), pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops] 4 times (5 loops on hook), yo, pull through all 5 loops.
2/2-dc cl = [Yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops] twice in first st (3 loops on hook), [yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops] twice in second st (5 loops on hook), yo, pull through all 5 loops.
Gauge (after blocking)
Lace: 21 sts x 9 rows = 4.25”/10.75 cm
Note: to make your gauge swatch, follow the instructions for Rows 1-12 of Lace Section.
Main Body: 17 dc x 10.5 rows = 4”/10 cm
Note: stitch gauge is more important than row gauge if you’re having trouble getting it square.
Pattern Notes
- This cocoon shrug features a crocus-inspired filet lace detail up the back in a striking contrast color, flanked by a simple dc body and eyelet edging.
- This pattern includes instructions for three sizes covering bust measurements 30”/76 cm – 62”/158 cm. The shrug is slightly oversized, with a loose, drapey silhouette.
- Where instructions for the different sizes differ, they will be written as Size 1 (Size 2, Size 3). Stitch counts are given at the end of the row in [].
- The Crocus Cocoon Shrug is constructed in one piece, starting with the lace strip. The lace is worked in color A (CA; shown in purple). The main body is then worked sideways outward from the lace, and the corners are folded in and seamed to create the armholes. The main body is worked in color B (CB; shown in cream).
- There is a diagram in the Assembly section giving blocked dimensions and a pictorial demonstration of the construction.
- A cotton/cotton blend or similar natural fiber yarn is recommended here since the lace needs to be blocked for the best effect.
- The CSDC at the beginning of each row does count as a stitch, and each chain within the row also counts as a stitch.
Pattern
Lace
With D/3.25 mm hook, or size needed to obtain Lace Gauge, and CA:
Row 1 [Wrong Side]: Fdc 21.
Row 2 [Right Side]: Turn, CSDC (counts as first st here and throughout), *ch 3, sk 4, work 3 dc in next, ch 3, sk 4, dc in next. Rep from * once more. [9 dc, 4 ch-3 sps]
Row 3: Turn, CSDC, *ch 2, sk ch-3 sp, work 2 dc in next, dc in next, work 2 dc in next, ch 2, sk ch-3 sp, dc in next. Rep from * once more. [13 dc, 4 ch-2 sps]
Row 4: Turn, CSDC, *ch 1, sk ch-2 sp, 2/2-dc cl over next 2 sts, ch 2, 4-dc cl in next, ch 2, 2/2-dc cl over next 2 sts, ch 1, sk ch-2 sp, dc in next. Rep from * once more. [3 dc, 4 ch-1 sps, 4 ch-2 sps, 4 2/2-dc cls, 2 4-dc cls]
Row 5: Turn, CSDC, dc in each st across. [21]
Row 6: Turn, CSDC, dc in next, [ch 1, sk 1, dc in next] twice, ch 3, sk 4, work 3 dc in next, ch 3, sk 4, [dc, ch 1, sk 1] twice, dc in last 2 sts. [11 dc, 4 ch-1 sps, 2 ch-3 sps]
Row 7: Turn, CSDC, dc in next, [ch 1, sk 1, dc in next] twice, ch 2, sk ch-3 sp, work 2 dc in next, dc in next, work 2 dc in next, ch 2, sk ch-3 sp, [dc, ch 1, sk 1] twice, dc in last 2 sts. [13 dc, 4 ch-1 sps, 2 ch-2 sps]
Row 8: Turn, CSDC, dc in next, [ch 1, sk 1, dc in next] twice, ch 1, sk ch-2 sp, 2/2-dc cl over next 2 sts, ch 2, 4-dc cl in next, ch 2, 2/2-dc cl over next 2 sts, ch 1, sk ch-2 sp, [dc, ch 1, sk 1] twice, dc in last 2 sts. [8 dc, 6 ch-1 sps, 2 ch-2 sps, 2 2/2-dc cls, 1 4-dc cl]
Row 9: Turn, CSDC, dc in each st across. [21]
Rows 10-57 (65, 73): Rep Rows 2-9.
Rows 58 (66, 74)-64 (72, 80): Rep Rows 2-8 once more. FO. Block to specified measurements (see Assembly).
Main Body
With F/3.75 mm hook, or size needed to obtain Main Body Gauge, and CB:
Row 1: With Right Side of Lace facing, attach yarn with a dc in one corner of the long end. [Ch 1, leave a small space the width of a st, dc] 64 (72, 81) times down the edge of the lace strip, working into the ends of the rows. [65 (73, 82) dc, 64 (72, 81) ch-1 sps]
Note: having the ch-1 sps between each dc helps this first row to look neater. To help with spacing the stitches as evenly as possible, consider adding stitch markers at the quarter, half, and three-quarter marks. Count your stitches to make sure that roughly one quarter of them fall between each pair of markers.
Rows 2-40 (45, 50): Turn, CSDC, ch 1, sk ch-1 sp, dc 125 (141, 159), ch 1, sk ch-1 sp, dc in last st. [127 (143, 161) dc, 2 ch-1 sps]
Note: adjust the number of rows as needed so Main Body reaches 15 (17, 19)”/38 (43, 48) cm on either side of lace strip (see Assembly for diagram).
FO, leaving a long (approx. 30”/76 cm) tail for seaming. Rep with other long side of lace strip. Weave in starting ends and block (see Assembly).
Assembly
Letters indicate blocked dimensions and arrows indicate direction of work.
| Size 1 (in|cm) | Size 2 (in|cm) | Size 3 (in|cm) | |
| A | 30 | 76 | 34 | 86.5 | 38 | 96.5 |
| B | 15 | 38 | 17 | 43 | 19 | 48 |
| C | 4.25 | 10.75 | 4.25 | 10.75 | 4.25 | 10.75 |
After blocking, fold in the corners of the Main Body so the edges line up with the edge of the lace section (see diagram). Seam stitches of last row together for approximately 7 (8, 9)”/18 (20, 23) cm (I like the mattress stitch here).
Try on your shrug to make sure the armholes are a comfortable width. Adjust seam length as necessary to ensure a comfortable fit. FO and weave in remaining ends.
Enjoy your new shrug!
Get the AD-FREE PDF pattern on Ravelry HERE, Etsy HERE, and LoveCrafts HERE
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