Wave Stitch Shrug

Wave Stitch Shrug by Sian Brown

What is Being Made

The Wave Stitch Shrug is a knitted cardigan-style garment designed by independent designer Sian Brown. This shrug is crafted as a downloadable PDF pattern and is suitable for intermediate-level knitters. The design features an elegant wave stitch pattern that creates a textured, flowing aesthetic. The shrug is available in four sizes to fit bust measurements from 82-87 cm through to 112-117 cm, accommodating dress sizes 8-10 up to 20-22.

Techniques and Construction

The Wave Stitch Shrug employs several fundamental knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive appearance. The pattern begins with a garter stitch foundation, created by knitting seven rows with size 3.25mm needles to establish a stable cast-on edge. The main body is then worked on size 3.75mm needles, allowing the fabric to open up and showcase the wave stitch pattern more prominently.

The primary construction technique involves the strategic use of yarn overs combined with dropped stitches to create the characteristic wave effect. This method produces elongated loops that, when dropped on subsequent rows, create vertical lines of texture that resemble flowing waves across the fabric. The pattern repeats every eight rows, ensuring consistent patterning throughout the garment. Tension is critical for this design, with the pattern requiring 22 stitches and 34 rows over a 10 x 10 cm swatch worked in the wave stitch pattern.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k): The foundational stitch used throughout the pattern, particularly in the garter stitch borders and between pattern repeats
• Purl stitch (p): Listed in the abbreviations, providing versatility for pattern variations
• Yarn overs (y2rn, y3rn, y4rn): The signature technique of this pattern, where yarn is wound around the needle multiple times to create elongated loops. The pattern uses double, triple, and quadruple yarn overs in sequence to build the wave effect
• Dropped stitches: Extra loops created by yarn overs are intentionally dropped on the following row, allowing them to unravel and create the flowing wave texture

The wave stitch pattern itself consists of an eight-row repeat. Rows 1, 2, 5, and 6 are worked in plain knit stitch. Rows 3 and 7 contain the yarn over sequences that build the wave structure, with stitches spaced strategically to create balanced patterning. Row 4 and Row 8 involve knitting across while dropping the extra loops created by the yarn overs, which causes the elongated stitches to cascade down and form the wave design.

Materials

The Wave Stitch Shrug pattern calls for Sublime Tussah Silk DK yarn in the shade Eau de Vie (colorway 266). Tussah silk is a natural protein fiber known for its subtle sheen, smooth drape, and luxurious feel, making it an excellent choice for a delicate, textured design like this wave stitch shrug. The yarn weight is DK (double knitting), a medium weight that provides good stitch definition while remaining lightweight and comfortable to wear.

Yardage requirements vary by size: the smallest size (8-10) requires 8 balls of 50 gm each, while larger sizes require 9, 10, or 11 balls respectively. This allows approximately 400-550 meters of yarn depending on the chosen size. Two pairs of needles are required: size 3.25mm needles for the initial cast-on and garter stitch border, and size 3.75mm needles for the main body and wave stitch pattern. The pattern also specifies a press stud for fastening, appropriate for a shrug-style garment.

The combination of DK-weight tussah silk with the wave stitch pattern creates a sophisticated, semi-sheer fabric with excellent drape, ideal for layering over other garments while maintaining breathability and elegance.