This is a true shrug: a shawl with sleeves. The effect is loose, flowing, and almost shawl-like without the fumbling needed to keep a shawl in place. A little shawl collar completes the look. Imagine wearing it on a summer afternoon, to a wedding or a dinner out or, if you’re like me and dress up to go to the mailbox, to toss over jeans while dashing off to meet your day.

It’s knit from cuff to cuff, increasing 1 stitch at the beginning and end of every right side row until the desired width is reached, after which it is knit straight across the back (and front simultaneously) until the decrease begins for the other sleeve. The elegant back drape and lacy texture is achieved by using big needles and a few simple yarnover stitches in a mix of soft, silky fibers.

The Shoreline version takes its inspiration from a walk on the beach. Looking down at the sand one day, I was amazed by all the variations of ‘neutral’ – those sands and creams edged with pink. I saw the bands of pale flush pink illuminating the insides of a stranded seashell and imagined a garment knitted with a scalloped cuff. The Shoreline shrug emerged and, in a moment of embellishment frenzy, I sewed on little bits of shell and mother of pearl beads to add to the feel. You, of course, may decide to exercise more restraint but where’s the fun in that.

Make it in your own best-loved colors and bust that stash!