Check out our Gilded Age yarns and hand painted shawls!
Check out our Gilded Age yarns and hand painted shawls!
When the Covid pandemic shut down in-person events, we had to find other creative ways to stay connected. Our YouTube channel has given us a great way to keep everyone updated on charity news and details about our new Shrug Hugs yarns. Subscribing and “liking” our videos is an easy way to support us!
Shrug Snugs are tightly crocheted spirals that we include with our shrugs sent to the variety of moms we serve.
There is no need to tie a snug, simply inserting it through the fabric of a shrug and giving a little tug helps keep it on - while adding a fun accent!
Making a Shrug Snug is easy. You don't need to know much about crochet to quickly complete one and these are a great way to use up leftovers while supporting our mission!
Using fingering/sock weight yarn try using an I hook with 2 strands held together. If using worsted weight yarn use a J hook and a single strand.
Chain 12". The amount of stitches varies on hook and yarn used (with our Glimmer of Hope yarn, a fingering weight held double stranded, chain 45 stitches with an I hook). Starting with the first stitch (the stitch next to the one with the working yarn) make 4 double crochets in each stitch, 3 double crochets if using a J. End with one double crochet in the last stitch. Weave in your tails.
Please go to our PDF page and print out our sheet of Shrug Snug cards, double sided on cardstock. Add your name to the back side of the card. Your Shrug Snug and card will be placed in a small bag and included with a coordinating shrug made by another volunteer making this gift even more meaningful to the mom receiving it.
Learn how to make a Shrug Snug
use double stranded fingering/sock weight or single strand dk weight to make a 2” square, adding a 3” tie to 2 corners for us to tie onto a bear
watch our tutorial to get started
Let us teach you tunisian crochet then walk you through the steps to make a bear cape.
There are so many wonderful yarns out there. Don’t be afraid to experiment. But keep in mind that each yarn, stitch pattern, needle choice and your own tension affect the outcome of your finished fabric and fit.
Our intention is to wrap the moms we are suppporting in a great big hug. When budgeting your yarn - and time - focus on the width (wrist to wrist) measurement. Even a finished length of 27” is bound to stretch some when worn and if you run short on yarn, you can always add an accent yarn to finish off your length (top to bottom measurement when worn) and make an awesome collar! So casting on and working horizontally is a good way to get started until you know how much yarn you’ll need to get the correct finished measurements. Shoot for 55” - and take notes of what worked and what didn’t. Only you will know what works for you.
Measure your finished fabric and take note of how it drapes when worn. Make adjustments on your next one. Finished measurements should be approximately 29” x 55”. This measurement allows enough width for a mom to lace her gift as a Shrug Hug, our version of an “infinity shawl”. Tunisian crochet needs to measure 56-57”. For more info on how our Shrugs are shipped and delivered, please see “Our Shrugs” page.
As a brand, we are hoping for some uniformity. Please consider lofty bulky yarns and double stranding to create a cozy fabric. Lace weight shawls will not work. Lion Brand Homespun, Scarfie and Shawl in a Ball combine nicely as do Loops and Threads Barcelona, Facet Stones and Red Heart Dreamy and Unforgettable.
Holding 2 strands of Homespun, cast on 80 stitches. Knit in garter stitch for 6 rows. Cut one strand of Homespun, attach one strand of Facet Stones.
Begin stockinette portion:
Row 1: Knit row.
Row 2: Knit 3, Purl to last 3 stitches, Knit 3.
Continue these 2 rows (creating stockinette stitch with 3 stitch garter border) until you run out of Facet Stones, ending with a full row of stockinette. Attach Homespun to end of Facet Stones and complete the last few rows in garter stitch leaving enough yarn to loosely bind off.
Lay shrug with wrong side up. Fold corners toward center and lace 2 small seams to form “sleeves”. See photo below. These laces can be removed if the mom receiving your gift would prefer to use her shrug as a throw.
3 skeins Lion Brand Homespun - 185 yards each
Size P crochet hook
Chain 80 stitches.
Row 1: Half double crochet in the 3rd chain from the hook. Repeat in every stitch across row. Chain 2 for turning.
Row 2 -30: Double crochet in the 2nd stitch from the hook. Repeat in every stitch across row. End of row 30 chain 1 for turning.
Row 31-35: Single crochet in the first chain from the hook and in every stitch across the row. Shrug will measure approximately 48" wide x 32" long.
Edge each side with single crochet stitch (3 - 4 rows on each side). Finished shrug will now measure 50" x 32".
Make 2 chains 100 stitches each and use to lace "sleeves" closed. You can make a third tie to use as a closure.
See photo below for finishing instructions.
This pattern is knit across the shorter/29" side of the shrug working vertically (top to bottom when wearing the shrug as opposed to the previous pattern which works the shrug horizontally of side to side - wrist to wrist - when worn. You can also use circular needles to do this pattern if you prefer to work with less stitches in each row.
US17 needles
Shawl in a Ball (or Shawl in a Cake) by Lion Brand Yarns held together with ONE of the following three choices:
"Puzzle" by Premier Yarns, "Barcelona" by Loops and Threads or "Homespun" by Lion Brand Yarns.
Holding 2 strands of yarn together throughout project, cast on 54 stitches.
Rows 1-8: Knit all stitches
Row 9: Knit 4, Purl 46, Knit last 4 stitches
Row 10: Knit all stitches
Repeat rows 9 and 10 until shrug measures 50" long, then knit the last 8 rows and VERY LOOSELY bind off.
Martinsville Community Center, 1961 Washington Valley Rd., Bridgewater, New Jersey 08836, United States
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