Miss Carter Shrug

Miss Carter Shrug by Artesanitarium Designs

What is Being Made

The Miss Carter is a knitted shrug designed by Annina Päivärinta. This garment features a classic bolero silhouette with fitted sleeves and a shaped back panel. The shrug is available in six sizes ranging from XS to XXL, making it accessible for various body types. The design uses a lace-weight yarn, creating a lightweight and elegant layering piece suitable for both casual and dressy occasions.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques. The construction begins with circular knitting in the round for the sleeve cuffs, transitions to flat knitting for the back panel, and returns to circular knitting to complete the second sleeve. The pattern incorporates ribbed edging for structure and elasticity at the cuffs and hem. Knitters will also use the pick-up stitch technique to create the collar or hem from the back edge, which requires picking up stitches directly from the finished fabric. The pattern specifies Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off, a specialized finishing technique that provides flexibility and prevents the edges from becoming too tight.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Miss Carter utilizes several core stitches and stitch patterns throughout its construction. Stockinette stitch forms the main fabric of the back panel, creating a smooth, classic appearance. Garter stitch ribbing (K1 tbl, P1 rib) is worked for the sleeve cuffs, providing a textured, elastic edge that hugs the wrists. The pattern uses standard abbreviations including K (knit), P (purl), tbl (through the back loop), kbf (knit in both back and front of a stitch for increases), CO (cast-on), and BO (bind-off). The through-the-back-loop ribbing creates a twisted effect that adds visual interest and structural integrity to the cuffs.

Materials and Gauge Information

The Miss Carter is designed to be worked with lace-weight yarn in a fingering weight (550 meters per 100 grams). The total yardage required ranges from 100 grams for the smallest sizes (XS, S, and M) to 200 grams for the largest size (XXL), accommodating different sizing needs. Two needle sizes are required: 4.5 mm needles for the ribbed cuffs and collar, and 5 mm needles for the main body stockinette sections. Long circular needles or double-pointed needles (dpn's) are recommended for working in the round. The pattern specifies precise gauge measurements: 20 stitches and 28 rows equal 10 centimeters in stockinette stitch, while 16 stitches equal 10 centimeters in garter stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit across all six available sizes.

Pattern Structure and Construction

The Miss Carter follows a logical construction sequence that begins with one sleeve. Knitters cast on between 58 and 84 stitches depending on size, join to work in the round, and establish the K1 tbl, P1 ribbed cuff over 10 rounds. The pattern then switches to the larger needles and continues in stockinette stitch for 34 to 44 rounds. The back panel is worked flat in stockinette stitch for 103 to 129 rows, with the first stitch of each row slipped for a neat edge. The second sleeve mirrors the first, with stockinette rounds followed by ribbed cuffs and a bind-off using Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off technique. Finally, stitches are picked up from the back edge to create the hem or collar, completing the garment.