Shrug Recipe by Leigh Witchell

Pictures courtesy Beth Elliott and
kindly modeled by Teri Brown of
D.C's CityDance Ensemble

Materials:
I used Pingouin Mohair Extra in some sort of electric blue and used 3 skeins of it, but I'd heartily suggest 4 for anyone larger than 5'2". To those who have this yarn, which out for dye coming off all over your hands. I looked like a Smurf after about five rows. (Note: The sample in the image was knit with Woolease)

Size 10 and 11 needles (I'm using Addi 20" circulars in size
11 and any size 10s, because the ribbing can be knit flat.)

Gauge:
3.5 sts/in; 5.5 rows/in

Cast on 32 sts. On smaller needles, do 2x2 rib for 2 inches.

Join round, increase at either side of round every six rounds (you're making a sleeve in the round, essentially) until sleeve is length desired (mine was 14 ins and jewel length for a small woman. But mohair stretches quite forgivingly).

Make the body of the shrug by continuing the round until you have knit ¾ of the stitches, and then turn the work and knit flat (back and forth) in stockinette for 20 inches.

Do NOT remove the round marker! You've placed the sleeve shaping at the bottom of the sleeve and the body opening halfway up one side.

Now rejoin the round and knit in the round, decreasing at either side of marker in reverse from the other sleeve, until 32 stitches are reached, then change back to smaller needles and knit the cuff.

And that's it. But be sure not to run out of yarn 2 inches before the end like I did.

Addendum: (From a post to the knitlist by Leigh Witchel, December 26th 1999)
When I've made this shrug recently, I actually have continued increasing (one stitch at both edges every sixth round) about 5-7 times into the back, and decreasing them at the corresponding spot on the other side. It improves the drape.

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