Updated: 11 November 2026 by Sylwia (MyCrochetory)
This crochet lace shrug is proof that a garment doesn’t need sleeve math. It’s one big lacy rectangle, two short seams and a ribbed edge, and that’s it.
Meadow is one of my oldest patterns, and it’s still one of my favorites. I love lace patterns, and this one gave me lace I can actually wear.
Throw it over a tank top or a summer dress, and you’ve got a light layer with a whole back full of lace. Scared of crocheting garments? This is the one to start with, because there’s no sleeve shaping and no neckline at all.
I’ve also added a size table, so you can pick your length and width before the first chain. And if you’d rather see it done, there’s a full video tutorial too.
Jump to the free pattern, or get the ad-free printable PDF with stitch charts and a stitch tracker on Etsy or Ravelry.
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my affiliate disclosure.
Don’t just take my word for it. There are 191 Meadow Lace Shrug projects on Ravelry. The PDF on Etsy is rated 4.8 from 101 reviews, and 100% of buyers recommend it.
Very easy to read and follow! The instructions are clear and written in a way that mostly anyone can follow, even advanced beginners.
Lady, Etsy review
Loved this pattern, I made this for my mam for her birthday and she loved it.
Amy, Etsy review
How the Meadow crochet lace shrug is made
The Meadow crochet lace shrug starts as one rectangle, worked bottom-up in rows. Lying flat, it looks like a lacy scarf with big plans.
The starting chain sets the length from the neck to the bottom, and the rows set the width from cuff to cuff. After blocking, you fold the short edges in toward the center and seam about 5 inches (13 cm) on each side.
That’s the moment the rectangle turns into a shrug, and the open parts become your armholes. Then the cuffs and collar go straight onto the edges, so once those two seams are done, your tapestry needle can go back in the drawer.
The lace stitch in this crochet lace shrug
The lace in this crochet lace shrug repeats every 8 rows, so after the first repeat you’ll know exactly what’s coming. Blocks of double crochet, little ch-2 spaces and long chain loops build the flower-like motifs across the back.
Rows 3 and 7 are the tall ones, with treble crochet at both ends. They’re the rows that open the lace up the most.
Every row now has a stitch count too. Count before you turn, and you’ll catch a missed loop while it’s still easy to fix.
Choose your crochet lace shrug size
Meadow fits sizes S to L as written, and the new size table gives you four options. A longer chain makes the shrug longer from the neck down, and more rows make it wider from cuff to cuff.
My tip is to hold the blocked rectangle up to yourself before you sew anything. Changing a flat rectangle is easy, and changing a finished shrug means a lot more frogging.
Yarn for a crochet lace shrug
I made my Meadow in GAZZAL Baby Cotton, a cotton and acrylic blend, in the Claret colorway. I still recommend it, and the size in the photos took 4 skeins.
If I made it again today, I’d go for 100% cotton or a yarn with animal fiber, like merino or alpaca. A shrug sits right on your skin, and for anything I wear like that, I always pick soft yarn that doesn’t itch.
Yarn substitutes
GAZZAL Baby Cotton isn’t sold at LoveCrafts, so here are two picks that match what I’d choose today. Debbie Bliss Eco Baby is a soft 100% organic cotton with 137 yards per 50 g ball, and you’ll need about 6 balls.
Prefer merino? Malabrigo Sock is a soft superwash merino with 440 yards per skein, so 2 skeins cover the shrug, and Tiziano Red is worth a look if you love a deep red like mine. Both yarns differ a little in thickness from mine, so swatch, block and check your gauge first.
Block your crochet lace shrug before seaming
I know you’ll want to try it on the second the last row is done. Block the rectangle first anyway, because lace opens up after blocking and those are the measurements that count.
My Meadow is cotton and acrylic, so I pin the rectangle to a mat and pass a steam iron about ½ inch above it. Then it stays pinned for at least 20 minutes, and an hour is plenty.
Made yours in merino or alpaca? Then wet block it instead. Soak it, stretch it out on the mat and pin it until it’s completely dry.
Ribbed cuffs and collar for the crochet lace shrug
The cuffs and collar use my favorite way to add crochet ribbing. It’s worked sideways in back loop single crochet and joined to the edge with slip stitches as you go, so there’s no sewing and the edge looks neat and elegant.
Little crochet tricks like this fascinate me, and that’s why I wrote a whole crochet ribbing tutorial. The part about adding ribbing at the end of a project is exactly what you’ll do here.
Not ready to start yet? Pin this crochet lace shrug to your Pinterest board so it’s there when summer comes, and follow me on Pinterest for more light layers.
Meadow crochet lace shrug pattern
- Get the ad-free, printable PDF with stitch charts and a stitch tracker here on Etsy or here on Ravelry.
- Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue here.
- Pin it for later.
Copyright 2018 – 2026 MyCrochetory. All rights reserved. This pattern is property of Sylwia Kawczyńska @MyCrochetory. Please DO NOT sell the pattern and claim this pattern as your own. The pattern is for personal use only and may not be translated or reproduced in another language. Please respect my rights, DO NOT share or publish this pattern anywhere without my permission.
The shrug you make following this pattern is yours, and you are free to sell it, as long as you credit MyCrochetory as the original designer. For more information, please read the Terms Page.
As a bonus, the ad-free, printable PDF includes stitch charts for the body and the border, plus a stitch tracker. If you want to support my work, you can get it here on Etsy or here on Ravelry.
Materials and tools
- Yarn: GAZZAL Baby Cotton (50 g / 165 m / 180 yds, 60% cotton, 40% acrylic), 4 skeins, about 660 m (722 yds). Shown in Claret (3442).
- Yarn substitute: Debbie Bliss Eco Baby (50 g / 125 m / 137 yds, 100% organic cotton), 6 balls, or Malabrigo Sock (100 g / 402 m / 440 yds, 100% superwash merino), 2 skeins.
- Hook: 3.5 mm. Adjust the hook size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
- Tapestry needle (to weave in yarn ends)
- Scissors
Level
Intermediate
Gauge after blocking
19 sts and 9 rows = 11 x 11 cm (4.25 x 4.25 in)
Size after blocking
Fits S–L. The rectangle is about 56 cm (22 in) from the top of the neck to the bottom, without the collar, and 81 cm (32 in) from sleeve end to sleeve end.
Choose your size from the table. The shrug in the photos uses ch 98 and 65 rows. Always end with a Row 9.
| Chain | Length | Rows | Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| ch 79 | 44 cm (17 in) | 57 | 70 cm (27 in) |
| ch 98 | 55 cm (22 in) | 65 | 79 cm (31 in) |
| ch 117 | 66 cm (26 in) | 73 | 89 cm (35 in) |
| ch 136 | 77 cm (30 in) | 81 | 99 cm (39 in) |
Notes
- The pattern uses US crochet terms.
- The shrug is one large rectangle, worked bottom-up in rows, then seamed to make the sleeves.
- The cuffs and the collar are worked straight onto the edges, so there is nothing to sew on.
- The ch1, ch3 and ch4 at the start of a row don’t count as stitches. Work the first sc, dc or tr of the row in the last stitch of the previous row.
- The pattern is a multiple of 19 stitches plus 3. A longer or shorter chain changes the length, and more or fewer rows change the width (see the table above).
- Block the rectangle before you seam it.
- The counts in parentheses (…) are for the whole row.
Stitches and abbreviations (US terms)
st(s) – stitch(es)
BLsc – back loop only single crochet
rep – repeat
sk – skip
Instructions in square brackets […] are worked as many times as indicated.
Video tutorial
The video tutorial shows the whole shrug step by step, from the lace rows to the ribbed cuffs.
TIP: To view this video tutorial properly, please disable any ad-blocker you have running.
Body rectangle
Foundation: Ch98 (or any multiple of 19 plus 3, see the size table). (95 ch + 3 for turning)
Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next ch, ch7, sk 5ch, sc in next 5ch, ch7, sk 5ch, [dc in next 4ch, ch7, sk 5ch, sc in next 5ch, ch7, sk 5ch] rep until 2ch remain, dc in next 2ch. Turn. (45 sts, 10 ch-7 sps)
Row 2: ch3 (doesn’t count as a dc here and throughout), dc in first st, dc in next st, 3dc in ch-7sp, ch6, sk first sc, sc in next 3sts, ch6, sk next sc, 3dc in ch-7sp, [dc in first dc, ch2, sk 2dc, dc in last dc, 3dc in ch-7sp, ch6, sk first sc, sc in next 3sc, ch6, sk next sc, 3dc in ch-7sp] rep until 2dc remain, dc in next 2dc. Turn. (57 sts, 14 ch sps)
Row 3: ch4 (doesn’t count as a tr here and throughout), tr in first st, ch5, sk 3dc, dc in last dc, 3dc in ch-6sp, ch4, sk first sc, tr in next sc, ch4, sk last sc, 3dc in ch-6sp, [dc in first dc, ch5, sk 3dc, tr in ch-2sp, ch5, sk 3dc, dc in last dc, 3dc in ch-6sp, ch4, sk first sc, tr in next sc, ch4, sk last sc, 3dc in ch-6sp] rep until 5dc remain, dc in first dc, ch5, sk 3dc, tr in last dc. Turn. (51 sts, 20 ch sps)
Row 4: ch1 (doesn’t count as a sc here and throughout), sc in first st, sc in ch-5sp, ch5, sk 3dc, dc in last dc, 3dc in ch-4sp, ch2, sk tr, 3dc in next ch-4sp, dc in first dc, ch5, sk 3dc, sc in ch-5sp, [sc in tr, sc in next ch-5sp, ch5, sk 3dc, dc in last dc, 3dc in ch-4sp, ch2, sk tr, 3dc in next ch-4sp, dc in first dc, ch5, sk 3dc, sc in ch-5sp] rep until last tr remains, sc in last tr. Turn. (56 sts, 15 ch sps)
Row 5: ch1, sc in first st, sc in next sc, sc in ch-5sp, ch7, sk 3dc, dc in last dc, 2dc in ch-2sp, dc in next dc, ch7, sk 3dc, sc in ch-5sp, [sc in next 3sc, sc in next ch-5sp, ch7, sk 3dc, dc in last dc, 2dc in ch-2sp, dc in next dc, ch7, sk 3dc, sc in ch-5sp] rep until 2sc remain, sc in next 2sc. Turn. (46 sts, 10 ch-7 sps)
Row 6: ch1, sc in next 2sc, ch6, sk sc, 3dc in ch-7sp, dc in next dc, ch2, sk 2dc, dc in next dc, 3dc in ch-7sp, [ch6, sk first sc, sc in next 3sc, ch6, sk last sc, 3dc in ch-7sp, dc in next dc, ch2, sk 2dc, dc in next dc, 3dc in next ch-7sp] rep until 3sc remain, ch6, sk first sc, sc in next 2sc. Turn. (56 sts, 15 ch sps)
Row 7: ch4, tr in first st, ch4, sk sc, 3dc in ch-6sp, dc in next dc, ch5, sk 3dc, tr in ch-2sp, ch5, sk 3dc, dc in next dc, 3dc in ch-6sp, [ch4, sk sc, tr in next sc, ch4, sk sc, 3dc in ch-6sp, dc in next dc, ch5, sk 3dc, tr in ch-2sp, ch5, sk 3dc, dc in next dc, 3dc in ch-6sp] rep until 2sc remain, ch4, sk sc, tr in last sc. Turn. (51 sts, 20 ch sps)
Row 8: ch3, dc in first st, 3dc in ch-4sp, dc in next dc, ch5, sk 3dc, sc in ch-5sp, sc in tr, sc in next ch-5sp, ch5, sk 3dc, dc in next dc, 3dc in ch-4sp, [ch2, sk tr, 3dc in next ch-4sp, dc in next dc, ch5, sk 3dc, sc in ch-5sp, sc in tr, sc in next ch-5sp, ch5, sk 3dc, dc in next dc, 3dc in ch-4sp] rep until last st remains, dc in last st. Turn. (57 sts, 14 ch sps)
Row 9: ch3, dc in first st, dc in next st, ch7, sk 3dc, sc in ch-5sp, sc in next 3sc, sc in next ch-5sp, [ch7, sk 3dc, dc in next dc, 2dc in ch-2sp, dc in next dc, ch7, sk 3dc, sc in ch-5sp, sc in next 3sc, sc in next ch-5sp] rep until 5dc remain, ch7, sk 3dc, dc in last 2sts. Turn. (45 sts, 10 ch-7 sps)
Rows 10–65: Repeat Rows 2–9 seven more times, or until the rectangle is as wide as you like. (Row 65: 45 sts, 10 ch-7 sps)
Border
Turn your work after the last row and work one round of sc all around the rectangle.
BORDER: ch1, sc in first st, sc in next st, 5sc in next ch-7sp, sc in next 5sts, 5sc in next ch-7sp, [sc in next 4sts, 5sc in next ch-7sp, sc in next 5sts, 5sc in next ch-7sp] rep across until 2sts remain before corner, sc in next st, 3sc in next st, rotate your work, sc across working 2sc around/in each dc, 3sc around/in each tr and 1sc around/in each sc until next corner, 3sc in ch where the first dc was made, rotate your work, sc in each ch across until next corner, 3sc in last ch, rotate your work, sc across working 2sc around/in each dc, 3sc around/in each tr and 1sc around/in each sc until first sc of this round, 2sc in same st where the first sc of this round was made, slst in first sc of this round.
Fasten off, weave in all ends and block the rectangle.
Armholes
Lay the blocked rectangle flat, as in the photo above. Fold the corners (the short edges) of the body piece into the center. Use whip stitches (or another joining method you like) to join the arm edges together, approx. 13 cm (5 in) in on each side. The part that is not sewn will be the opening for the armholes. Tie off and weave in ends.
Cuffs and collar
Add ribbed cuffs to both armholes and a ribbed collar to the opening of the shrug.
Row 1: Pick any place on the edge of the armhole and attach your yarn with a slst. Ch7, starting with 2nd ch from hook, work 1sc in each ch back to the edge of armhole. Join to the next st of the edge of armhole using slst and work one more slst in the next st of the edge of armhole (2 slst(s) in total for joining) plus make ch1. Turn. (6 sts)
Row 2: Starting from 4th st from hook, work BLsc in each st across until last st remains, sc in last st (5BLsc and 1sc in total). Turn. (6 sts)
Row 3: ch1 (doesn’t count as a st), sc in first st, BLsc in each st across. Join to the next st of the edge of armhole using slst and work one more slst in the next st of armhole (2 slst(s) in total for joining) plus make ch1. Turn. (6 sts)
Next rows: Repeat Rows 2–3 until your cuff is joined to the entire edge. Then join your last row to the first row with sl sts. Fasten off.
Repeat for the second sleeve and for the opening of the shrug. You can also make longer trims by adding extra chains.
If you have any suggestions or have found a mistake, please email me at mycrochetory@gmail.com.
Made your own Meadow? I’d love to see how it turned out! Share it on Instagram with #mycrochetory and tag @mycrochetory.
Stuck somewhere in the lace? Ask in my Facebook Group or Ravelry Group, or just email me at mycrochetory@gmail.com.
More crochet shrugs and cardigans
If garments from simple shapes are your thing, here are more of my crochet layers. Some are rectangles too, and some are worked top-down.
- Nalu Shrug, another lace shrug made from one rectangle, with ribbing at both ends.
- Mosaic Cocoon Cardigan, two rectangles seamed into a cocoon, with mosaic colorwork.
- Nusa Lightweight Cardigan, an open lace cardigan for summer.
- Rhea V-Neck Cardigan, a cropped top-down cardigan with ribbed edges.
- Willow Tee, a top-down tee with a round yoke.
- Mosaic Cropped Sweater, a top-down raglan with mosaic colorwork.
- Pocket Raglan Sweater, a top-down raglan sweater in two colors.
- Top 10 crochet shrugs, a roundup of shrugs and boleros by other designers.
Tutorials that help with a crochet lace shrug
- How to crochet ribbing, for the cuffs and collar.
- Mattress stitch join, if you’d like a neater seam than whip stitch.
- How to crochet straight edges, for a rectangle that stays a rectangle.
- How to join yarn ends, since the shrug takes more than one skein.
Crochet lace shrug FAQ
Is this crochet lace shrug good for beginners?
It’s rated intermediate, but don’t let that scare you off. If you know single, double and treble crochet and don’t mind counting stitches, you can make it, and the video is there for the lace.
Can I make the cuffs and collar wider?
Yes. Add a few extra chains in Row 1 of the trim, and the ribbing gets wider. Just use the same number for both cuffs so they match.
Can I use a thicker yarn for this crochet lace shrug?
You can, but the shrug will come out bigger and heavier, and the lace will hang differently. Make a swatch, block it and compare it with the gauge first, then pick a shorter chain from the size table if you need to.
Why does the first stitch go into the last stitch of the row?
Because the turning chains don’t count as stitches in this pattern. Working the first stitch into the last stitch of the previous row keeps your edges straight, so your rectangle stays a rectangle.
Thanks a lot for sharing ! It seems really comfortable ! I am going to try within few weeks ! I will tell you……. 😉😉😉
From France
Thanks and can’t wait! 🙂
I am making this pattern right now, and for the complexity, I have seriously not read a more clear pattern than this one. I have not had to tear anything out. It just flows! I wanted to thank you so much for making this available. I can’t wait to see the final result! I’m sure it will be gorgeous. I’m using the same yarn and color as you did. I wanted to gently point our a small error on Row 4, should read (doesn’t count as a SC here and throughout). You had put “tr”. I figured it out easily enough, but thought I’d point it out. I followed you on Facebook, and I already see other projects I want to make! Thank you for your beautiful art.
Thank you Heidi! Please, share with me your final shrug!
Hello Sylwia, thank you for sharing this wonderful shrug with us, I’m doing it ! 😊
Can you please confirm ? I think at the end of row 9 there should be a chain 7 before the last 2 dc otherwise i didn’t get a total of 10 ch-7 spaces.
Thanks a lot.
Hi!
Yes you are right. There should be ch7 before the last 2dcs. I will update the pattern. Thank you!
I sute wish this was in a 3x coz I love it
Hi, beautiful pattern. Would you by chance know what the approximate measurement BEFORE blocking is? I want to make sure it will fit with the specified hook, but I don’t have enough extra yarn to swatch and stretch with the blocking.
Thank you!
Hi. Unfortunately I don’t have such measurements.
This is very pretty. I’m adding it to my very long to do list!
💖💖💖 Oh my! This spring/summer shrug is beautiful! What an awesome accessory piece to dress up a tank top. I’m definitely going to be making your lovely creation. Thx so much for the pattern!
You are so kind. Thank you!
Beautiful written pattern. Just have a question re blocking since I never have but want mine to look like yours! Can u tell me how you block? Thank you.
Thank you. I usually use a wet blocking method.
I made the shrug but mine hangs differently. The ribbed border folds up under the body. I used a different yarn, Troobu by Lion brand. It is much longer due to blocking which may be why.
Is there something l can do or is it going to hang that way”
Thank you for your comment. The folding of the ribbed border in the shrug can be influenced by the size of the garment and how it drapes on the body. It varies depending on individual factors and preferences. If your shrug is folding up, you can try adjusting the length and experimenting with different ways of wearing it to minimize the folding. Remember, it’s important to feel comfortable and confident in your shrug. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
Such a beautiful shrug and easy to follow pattern! Thankyou for sharing this!
Thank you so much!
I just finished mine last night and I love it! I used Malabrigo Arroyo in Plomo (A slightly purpleish grey sport weight merino wool) with a 4mm hook. I am a larger than average person. so I added one extra repeat to the starting row. The measurements after blocking were 24x 37 inches. It worked up so quickly and I love your method for a ribbed edging. I think it will be perfect over some tank tops and sleeveless dresses I have to cover me up just a bit more without getting too warm! I’ve already ordered more yarn in a different color to make another one.
In this trying time of the Covid-19 and while praying this will pass, there is no time like the present to find creative ways of spending time at home. Saw this pattern loved it and decided to give it a try. Thank you so much for this beautiful pattern.
How do I get the free pattern for the Meadow Lace Shrug? I love the shrug and would love to make it but can`t print out the complete pattern. I can only print the first 6 rows.
Please answer back
Free pattern is included in the blog post, but if you want the printable version please visit my Ravelry or Etsy store for an inexpensive PDF pattern.
I’ve jut started this. Being a beginner (started to crochet 4months ago) I found it useful to write out the pattern vertically, as a list and I place a sticker next to the row I’m on so i know where I am.
I do that so I don’t have to count rows…saves time not having to stop to count
I have made this shrug and it’s beautiful! I am on my second one. I will be making a shawl version for my Mom to wear at my nephews wedding in August. Any suggestions on type of yarn to use for a formal wear? My nephews color motif is navy and gold and my mom’s dress is a long navy with laces.
I wish I had seen this pattern sooner. I would have made a suggestion. I am using Caron Simply Soft Party…it has a velvety texture and a Sparkly filament that is not gaudy….I trust the one you made was beautiful and much appreciated
Made the Meadow Lace Shrug for my niece. Turned out great. Wish I could send a photo.
it’s so beautiful and would love to know if you provide videos, I’m kind of one of those hard learners and then i am left handed and sometimes have a hard time with some of the directions, i crochet afghans, and now have been working on shawls of different colors, have even sold some….but i had to see the directions over and over again on a video, anything will help….thank you …
Is it possible to update your video? When you get to the part at the end of the first cuff and you’re going to join it you go too fast. I can’t really see what you are doing. I have made two of these just figuring out my own way, but I really would like to see better in a slower way what you did there. You turned and did something, but I can’t make it out. If you could email me the explanation, that would be great because I’ll forget to look here for an answer.
Thank you
So beautiful and so well written. I am making this for my friend…
I absolutely love this Meadow Free Crochet Shrug Pattern! The video tutorial really makes it easy to follow along. Can’t wait to give this a try and show off my cozy creation. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful pattern!