Abetone Shrug in Adriafil Libero - Downloadable PDF

Abetone Shrug in Adriafil Libero – Free Knitting Pattern (Downloadable PDF)

The Abetone Shrug is a beautifully simple, cosy knitted shrug designed using Adriafil Libero super chunky yarn. This free downloadable PDF pattern produces a relaxed, wrap-style bolero that covers the shoulders and upper arms, making it an ideal layering piece for cooler days. The clever construction means the entire body — back, fronts, and sleeves — is worked in one single piece, minimising seaming and making it an approachable project for knitters who want impressive results with straightforward techniques.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a shrug, also sometimes called a bolero, which is a short open-fronted garment that covers the shoulders and arms while leaving the front of the body largely open. The Abetone Shrug is designed in three sizes: 40, 42, and 44, offering a comfortable fit across a range of body measurements. Its generous, relaxed silhouette suits the super chunky weight of Adriafil Libero yarn perfectly, giving the finished piece a soft, voluminous drape.

Construction Method

One of the most appealing aspects of this pattern is its seamless single-piece construction. Rather than knitting separate front, back, and sleeve panels and sewing them together, the Abetone Shrug is worked as one continuous piece starting from the front. Stitches are cast on for the front body, then sleeve shaping is worked by increasing stitches at both ends across several rows. Once the piece reaches the neckline, the centre stitches are temporarily crossed off and then picked up on the following row to create the neckline opening. The back section mirrors the front, with decreases reversing the sleeve shaping before the remaining stitches are cast off. This method keeps finishing work to a minimum and results in a clean, professional look.

Techniques Used

• Single-piece construction – working the back, fronts, and sleeves all in one continuous piece from front to back
• Sleeve shaping by increasing – stitches are increased at both ends every 2 rows in a stepped sequence (1 stitch 7 times, then 2 stitches 4–6 times depending on size, then 5 stitches 3 times) to form the sleeve width gradually
• Neckline shaping – 25 centre stitches are crossed off and then picked up on the next row to create the back neck opening
• Sleeve decrease shaping – the sleeve increases are reversed symmetrically on the back section to taper the sleeves back down
• Making up and finishing – the completed piece is seamed and finished with a ribbed edging to neaten the cuffs and body edges

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (also known as garter stitch when worked flat) – the main body fabric of the shrug is worked entirely in knit stitch, creating a dense, squishy texture that works beautifully with the super chunky yarn weight
• Elastic rib (closing) – used as an edging stitch to provide a neat, stretchy finish, typically applied to cuffs and borders after the main knitting is complete
• Knit stitch trim for elastic ribbing – a specific trim stitch used to transition cleanly between the ribbed edging and the main knit stitch fabric

Materials Required

• Yarn: Adriafil Libero in colour no. 14 – approximately 450 g required for all sizes. Libero is a super chunky weight yarn, ideal for fast knitting and cosy, substantial fabric.
• Knitting needles: size 10 (used for the ribbed edging and finishing) and size 12 (used for the main body of the shrug)
• Tapestry needle – required for seaming and weaving in ends during the making-up stage

Tension / Gauge

The pattern specifies a tension of 8 stitches and 12 rows to 10 x