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Knitting Patterns – Shrugs to Knit for Mom

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It’s almost Mother’s Day in the United States, so I thought it would be fun this week to look at some gift knitting projects that would be great for moms, women graduating high school or college, or any other gift-giving opportunity you might have coming up soon.

This time of year I love a shrug and have one in my bag pretty much all the time. Of course I’m usually carrying one I designed myself like the Women’s Lacy Shrug or my long-sleeved Fitted Shrug, but there are lots of other great options out there. Here are some highlights.

If you’re looking for something really quick, easy and basic with a twist, check out the shrug fast effect from Wiolett. It’s mostly stockinette with crocheted edging and can be whipped up in a flash, particularly if you happen to have a knitting machine. Shrug This is another quick and easy one, worked in a bulky yarn like a top-down raglan sweater, as is the Movie Night Shrug from Did You Make That?, which is a combo of bulky yarn and eyelets that will be finished in a jiffy.

The One Skein Shrug by Kirsten Hipsky uses a cropped sweater shape and a little bit of lace at the edges. Her long-sleeved Sunrise Shrug is pretty and easy as well.

For something a little fancier, check out the Gratuitous Cables Shrug by Inner Child Crochet or Vera Sanon’s gorgeous Something Lacy Shrug.

Want long sleeves? Try Kristiina V.’s Quicksilver Lace Shrug or the Purl Bee’s simple but really pretty Evening Shrug.

How about shrugs that look like vests? I like the Circular Shrug pattern by Julia Allen and Just Jessica’s Vesty Shrug.

See anything you like? I’d love to hear about it. Or let me know what you’re knitting for mom this year.

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Summer T-Shirt Knitting Patterns

Knitters are always looking for ways to continue to knit and to wear their knits even when it’s hot outside, so there are tots of great T0shirt knitting patterns to choose from. I love knitting short-sleeved shirts because they feel so much faster than sweaters, and you can wear them on top of dresses or even longer-sleeved items when it gets cooler.

There are lots of different styles of knit tops, from the basic to the more detailed. On the more basic side are things like the Perfect T-Shirt from Originally Lovely, a basic raglan tee with nine sizes and worked in worsted weight yarn; Paper Bloom by Yvonne Hugo (free on Ravelry), available in six sizes and worked with cotton and silk yarn for extra coolness; or Iris H’s Amelia Top, also on Ravelry, a slim fit, DK weight top with nine size.

Jazz it up with a bit of lace like on the Athens Lace Hem top by Sarah Hatton (Ravelry). This otherwise simple project has a bit of lace at the bottom, which is an easy way to make a project more interesting without a ton of work. This one uses fingering weight yarn and comes in nine sizes.

Another simple embellishment is to emphasize the lines of your top with different stitches. The Spring Lines top uses twisted ribbing at the center front and V-neck and along the raglan lines to give it a slimmer fit and more interest. This design from Turquoise Toque Designs has 11 size options and is available on Ravelry.

Silfurberg by Joji Locatelli uses both of these elements, with lace panels at the center front and back and purl ridges throughout to make it a little more fun to knit and to wear. The pattern uses fingering weight yarn and comes in 10 sizes. Learn more on Ravelry.

Keep it simple or add puffed sleeves (and/or long sleeves) to the slim fit Knitty Committee top by Lily Kate France. This one has two length options, waist shaping and optional bust darts to fulfill all your curvy top dreams, and it comes in nine sizes. You’ll find it on Ravelry.

Take it even more romantic with the Daphne Top from Friday Knits, which has puffed sleeves and applied I-cord to emphasize the bust and sweetheart neckline. It comes in eight sizes and uses DK weight yarn.

Or add some sweet flowers with the Gigio pattern from Emilie Luis. This pretty pattern found on Ravelry has cable panels running up the front with the option for adding sweet embroidered flowers. You can also add decorative buttons if you like. It comes in 11 sizes and calls for sport weight yarn.