Melted Shrug

Melted Shrug by Susanne Sommer

What is Being Made

The Melted Shrug is an oversized, casual hybrid garment that combines elements of a cardigan and shawl with functional sleeves. Designed as a feel-good piece with a relaxed fit, this shrug features a modular top-down construction that makes it accessible for intermediate knitters. The garment was created in collaboration with Do Ewe Knit? and Qing Fibre for Vogue Knitting Live New York 2019.

Construction and Design Features

The Melted Shrug employs a thoughtful mix of knitting techniques to create visual and textural interest throughout the garment. The construction begins at the top and works downward, allowing knitters to customize the fit as they progress. The garment is knit in two distinct textures that work together to create depth and dimension.

The body of the shrug—including the fronts and back sections—is worked in two-color brioche stitch, which creates a reversible, elastic fabric with beautiful striped effects. This stitch adds both textural complexity and visual interest while maintaining the garment's comfortable stretch. The sleeves feature ribbed cuffs in a contrasting color, which not only provides a pop of color but also ensures the shrug stays securely in place on the wearer.

A finishing touch of i-cord surrounds the entire perimeter of the shrug, creating neat, professional edges and adding a refined detail to the casual silhouette.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Garter stitch – the fluffy, textural sections that provide softness and visual interest
• Two-color brioche stitch – used for the fronts and back to create striped dimension and elasticity
• Ribbed stitch – worked into the sleeve cuffs for structure and color contrast
• I-cord – applied as an edging around the entire garment for a finished appearance
• Top-down modular construction – allows for customization and ease of fitting as you knit

Yarn and Materials

The Melted Shrug is designed to be knit with 4-ply yarn weight in a combination of fibers and textures. The pattern calls for Qing Fibre's Melted Baby Suri paired with Fingering weight Merino. The Melted Baby Suri provides the luxurious, fluffy texture in the garter stitch sections, while the Fingering weight Merino creates the striped effect and works beautifully in the brioche sections.

Knitters have flexibility in yarn selection. The pattern suggests using the same colorways in both the Melted Baby Suri and Merino for a softer, more cohesive look, or choosing different colors for a more graphic, contrasting effect. As an alternative, two strands of Merino held together can be substituted for the Melted Baby Suri, or any fingering weight yarn of your choice may be used, allowing for creative customization based on yarn availability and personal preference.

Difficulty Level

The Melted Shrug is rated as an intermediate project, making it suitable for knitters with some experience. While the modular construction and top-down approach make it manageable, familiarity with techniques such as brioche stitch, garter stitch, ribbing, and i-cord application will enhance the knitting experience.