Knit a Shrug on a Circular Knitting Machine

I’ve been having a lot of fun making projects on my circular knitting machine (which could also easily be done with hand knitting, of course!) and when I shared a collection of sweater scarf knitting patterns recently I wondered how I could make a similar project on my Sentro.

I didn’t have enough of the yarn I was working with to make a full-on sweater scarf that wraps around the body, but there was enough to make a shrug, and I think it’s really cute and I will wear it a lot this spring and summer over tank tops and summer dresses.

For those who do have circular knitting machines, you just knit tubes for the sleeves as long as you want them, and a flat panel for the back. For the shrug it’s basically the same length as my back from shoulder to shoulder, but if you wanted to make a sweater scarf (which I am still going to do at some point) you’d just keep knitting as long as you want until you can wrap it around your body.

The concept would be the same knitting it by hand, but you could more easily do it in one piece: work a sleeve in the round, bind off half the stitches when you have the length you need, then cast on stitches to the desired length of the back and work flat to the desired width, then bind off the bottom part of the back panel and cast on again to work in the round for the remaining sleeve.

If you want to check out more detailed instructions for how I made my circular knit shrug, you can find the pattern at Our Daily Craft.

Do you have a circular knitting machine? If you do and there are patterns you would like to see, let me know. It’s a fun challenge to work with knitting in a different way.

Circular Knitting Machine FAQs

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.

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