Product Description
This pattern is part of the eBook “Berlin - wrapped in Red”, the result of a collaboration between Steffi Palm & Marion Bulin, owners of Yarn over Berlin, and their fabulous and creative friends. The eBook is part of the Malabrigo Freelance pattern project and features several Malabrigo yarns used for ten red patterns named after Berlin´s districts, rivers or sights.
The Spree Shrug is reversible and seamless. It is knit from side to side with a provisional cast on, I-cord edging and a grafted finish. The cabled edging gives it a clean and finished look while adding just enough weight to lie gently on your shoulders. Inspired by the Spree River which winds through the middle of Berlin, the cables curve around and frame the shrug.
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock, 100% Superwash Merino, shown in colorway Tiziano Red. Gauge: 23 sts = 10 cm/ 4 inches in stockinette after blocking. Needle Size: US 4/ 3.50 mm, circular needle 32 inches or longer. You will need 2 sets for the
Spree Shrug by Kimberly Gintar
Project Overview
The Spree Shrug is a reversible, seamless knit design created by independent designer Kimberly Gintar. This intermediate-level bolero-style shrug is inspired by the Spree River, which winds through Berlin, with cables that curve around and frame the garment for an elegant, finished appearance. The shrug is designed to lie gently on the shoulders thanks to the weighted cabled edging.
What Is Being Made
This pattern produces a shoulder-covering shrug or bolero in two size options. The finished dimensions are approximately 110 cm (43 inches) wide and 86 cm (34 inches) long for the smaller size, or 124 cm (49 inches) wide and 100 cm (40 inches) long for the larger size after washing and blocking. The reversible construction means both sides of the finished garment are visually appealing and wearable.
Knitting Techniques
The Spree Shrug employs several advanced knitting techniques that contribute to its polished, professional finish:
- Side-to-side construction: The shrug is knit horizontally rather than from top to bottom, which allows for the directional cable pattern to frame the garment effectively
- Provisional cast on: Using Judy's magic cast on method creates a live edge that allows for seamless grafting at the finish
- I-cord edging: This decorative and structural edge adds definition and weight to help the shrug drape properly on the shoulders
- Grafted finish: The provisional cast-on stitches are grafted together, creating a seamless join with no visible seams
- Cable work: Curved cables are incorporated into the edging, requiring a cable needle and careful stitch manipulation
Stitches and Stitch Patterns
The pattern uses stockinette stitch as the primary fabric, with cabled sections featured in the edging. The gauge is 23 stitches over 10 centimeters (4 inches) in stockinette stitch after blocking, which is important for achieving the correct finished dimensions. Cable stitches create the decorative framing element that gives the shrug its distinctive character.
Materials and Notions
Yarn: The pattern calls for Malabrigo Sock yarn, which is 100% superwash merino wool. The sample shown is knit in the colorway Tiziano Red. A total of 4 skeins are required, providing 1,609 meters or 1,760 yards of yarn.
Needles: US 4 (3.50 mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches or longer are required. The pattern specifies using 2 sets of needles for the Judy's magic cast on method.
Additional notions: A cable needle is necessary for working the cable stitches, stitch markers help track pattern repeats and shaping, and a darning needle is used for weaving in ends after the garment is complete.
Skill Level
This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to work with cables, provisional cast ons, and grafting methods. The side-to-side construction and seamless finishing techniques require attention to detail and familiarity with these advanced skills.
Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Designer: | Kimberly Gintar |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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