Updated: 8 October 2026 by Sylwia (MyCrochetory)
Looking for free crochet shrug patterns for your very first handmade garment? Then you’re in the right place! A shrug is probably the friendliest way to start crocheting clothes, because there’s no tricky shaping and almost no math. And yet, when you put it on, it feels like a real sweater.
That’s why I’ve gathered 10 of my favorite crochet shrugs in one place, from easy first shrugs to a few with lace. Two of them are my own designs, and the other eight are favorites I found around the web, from designers whose patterns I love.
Every one of them is free. For each pattern, I also tell you what to expect, like the main stitch, the yarn weight and the level, so you can choose the right one for you. So scroll through and pick the shrug you’ll make first!
Want to come back to this list later? Save this pin to your Pinterest board, so your next shrug is just one click away.
What is a crochet shrug?
A crochet shrug is a short, cardigan-like top that you wear over your shoulders, and you might also hear it called a blanket sweater or a cocoon. Most shrugs start as one big rectangle, though some are made from squares or even a circle. You simply fold that piece in half and sew up the sides, and just like that, you have armholes!
And here’s the best thing about making a shrug. You don’t need to be a sweater expert. Just crochet a big rectangle, block it, fold in the corners, and sew up the sides for the armholes. That’s it!
10 free crochet shrug patterns to try
1. Meadow Lace Shrug by Sylwia from MyCrochetory
I just have to start with my own big hit! The Meadow Lace Shrug is one of the most popular patterns I’ve ever designed, and thousands of crocheters already have it in their collection.
It’s made from one big rectangle of lacy stitches, so it looks fancy, but putting it together is surprisingly simple. It’s an intermediate pattern, and there’s a video to guide you through every step.
2. Nalu Shrug by Sylwia from MyCrochetory
Next up is another one of mine, and it’s made for sunny spring and summer days. Just like Meadow, Nalu starts as one simple rectangle, where the ribbing and the lace pattern repeat as you go, so there’s zero shaping.
It’s written in one size, but you can easily change every measurement to fit you. So if you’re an adventurous beginner who wants to try some lace, this is a great one to start with!
3. Baja Blanket Sweater by Jessica from Mama In A Stitch
Love warm, earthy colors? Then you’ll fall for this one! Jessica mixed cream with three shades of brown, and she crocheted almost the whole blanket sweater in the moss stitch. You make one long rectangle and then fold and seam it to create the arms.
It’s labeled Beginner+, and if the moss stitch is new to you, my moss stitch tutorial will get you going in no time.
4. The Stonewash Shrug by Jess from Make & Do Crew
This shrug has a really modern shape, but it’s made from simple pieces! Jess designed it as one big mesh rectangle made with only chains and double crochet, and then the sleeves and a wide collar are added at the end.
It comes in two sizes with tips for making it bigger or smaller, so it’s great for confident beginners. Just a heads-up, though.
The free version is now on the designer’s blog after a quick email signup.
5. Light Frost Easy Blanket Sweater by Jessica from Mama In A Stitch
Here’s one I love for the fringe!
Jessica used only basic crochet stitches and a self-striping yarn, so the soft stripes appear as you crochet, without any color changes. Then the fringe at the front adds an extra chic touch, and the gray and cream colors make it easy to wear with almost anything.
6. Patons Coziest Crochet Cardigan by Yarnspirations
Ever thought a shrug could start with granny squares? This one does! You crochet four giant granny squares and then sew them together in a clever way, and the result is a really cozy cardigan.
It’s made in a worsted weight wool yarn, and the pattern comes in sizes from XS to 5XL. It’s labeled intermediate, so it’s a good next step once you’ve made a simple rectangle shrug.
7. Navajo Blanket Shrug by Jess from Make & Do Crew
At first glance, you’d probably think this one is tapestry crochet. Surprise, it isn’t! Jess made the whole bold pattern with half double crochet and simple color changes in the middle of the row.
It’s written in one size that fits a wide range of bodies, there’s a video tutorial too, and it looks great with your favorite jeans.
8. Simple Starlight Shrug by ChiWei from One Dog Woof
Always wanted to try Tunisian crochet? Then this shrug is your chance! ChiWei used the Tunisian knit stitch, so the fabric looks a lot like knitting, and super bulky yarn makes it work up really fast.
Just keep in mind that you’ll need a long Tunisian hook for the body. The good news is that there’s a video tutorial for the stitch, so you won’t be on your own.
9. Veronica Cocoon Cardi by Toni from TL Yarn Crafts
Want something oversized and textured? Then the Veronica Cocoon is a great pick! Toni used a cluster stitch for the body, and a big hook keeps the fabric light and soft. The wide collar is simple single crochet ribbing, and you attach it to the opening without any extra sewing.
It’s made in bulky yarn, it comes in two size ranges, and it’s beginner-friendly, so it’s a lovely first cardigan.
10. Dream Catcher Cardi by Sarah from Ned & Mimi
Let’s finish with a real showstopper! The Dream Catcher Cardi is a cocoon cardigan with a beautiful lace diamond on the back, so it looks amazing from behind. Sarah wrote it in sizes from XS to 5X, it works up quickly in bulky yarn, and the free pattern comes with three video tutorials. It’s labeled intermediate, so save it for when you’re ready for a little challenge.
How to choose your first crochet shrug
So, which shrug should you make first? My best tip is to think about when you’ll wear it, because that decides your yarn. Bulky yarn works up really fast and keeps you warm on chilly days, so it’s perfect for fall and winter shrugs like Veronica or Dream Catcher. Thin, light yarn takes a bit longer, but it gives you a soft, drapey shrug for spring and summer, just like my Meadow Lace and Nalu.
Then check the size. Many shrugs start as one big rectangle, so even if a pattern comes in just one size, you can usually make it bigger or smaller by changing the length or the width of that rectangle. Other patterns are written in full sizes, so you simply pick the one that matches your bust and crochet away.
And if this is your very first garment? Keep it simple! I’d start with a plain rectangle in an easy stitch. Once you’ve finished that one, a shrug with lace or granny squares will feel so much easier, and you’ll be ready for it.
Helpful tutorials for your first crochet shrug
Making your first shrug? Then these quick tutorials will make the whole thing so much easier, and you’ll use them again and again in other projects too.
- 4 easy ways to join yarn ends. Shrugs use a lot of yarn, so you’ll join a new ball more than once, and many of them have stripes too. Pick the join you like best, and your ends will stay neat and secure.
- How to crochet standing stitches. Adding a collar, a border or sleeves at the end? A standing stitch gives you a smooth start when you attach new yarn, without a bumpy chain.
- How to crochet ribbing. Lots of shrugs have ribbed collars and cuffs, so this one is worth knowing. It gives your shrug that stretchy, knit-look finish.
- Mattress stitch join tutorial. When it’s time to sew up the sides for the armholes, the mattress stitch gives you a seam that’s almost invisible.
Crochet shrug FAQ
What’s the difference between a shrug and a cardigan?
A shrug is usually shorter, and it’s often made from one simple shape, like a rectangle, that you fold and seam. A cardigan is usually longer, with separate pieces for the body and the sleeves. Some patterns in this list sit right in between, so don’t be surprised to see names like “blanket sweater” or “cocoon cardi” too. And when you’re ready for a real cardigan, my Nusa Lightweight Cardigan is a great next step.
How do you style a crochet shrug?
Oh, I love this question! A light, lacy shrug looks so pretty over a dress or a sleeveless top on a warm evening. A chunky one, on the other hand, is great with jeans and a simple T-shirt on cooler days. And since a shrug covers just your shoulders and arms, you get a little extra warmth without hiding your outfit.
Are all these crochet shrug patterns really free?
Yes, all 10 of them! There’s just one small thing to know. The Stonewash Shrug is free after a quick email signup on the designer’s blog. Many designers also sell ad-free printable PDFs, so if you love a pattern, buying the PDF is a nice way to support them.
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Want more? Browse all my free crochet garment patterns.
So, which shrug are you making first? Tell me in the comments! And if you’ve already made one from this list, I’d love to hear how it turned out.
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