
Crochet Modern Granny Shrug
This fall, I’ve been starting to see the granny shrug popping up on the crochet boards, so I decided I needed to make one for myself. It looks like a big granny square, and I found a great “recipe” at Mariavalles Handmade that I used to put mine together. It’s quite a cozy sweater and an easy project to accomplish. This is the Crochet Modern Granny Shrug pattern.

I decided that I did not want the typical granny square and wanted something a bit different for mine. I found this cool Granny Pillow on Yarnspirations and decided that it was the fun look I was going for in my granny shrug. And I just knew the Caron Cakes would be perfect for this project. This granny would also be a fun way to play with your own colour ideas if you would rather go that route.
This is basically one size fits the most pattern, but if you need to go up a size, just make your square bigger. The model is small but I’m pretty average, and it fits us both.
Pattern Suggestions
- Table Top Crochet Wreath Pattern
- Crochet Baby Sneakers Pattern
- Crochet Gigi’s Block Party Blanket Pattern
- Crochet Baby Chunky Blanket Pattern
Modern Granny Shrug
by Jeanne Steinhilber
- 4 Caron Cakes or ~ 26 oz of worsted weight yarn
- Crochet Hook size 5.5mm or I hook
- Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 2 dc in ring, ch 1, [3 dc in ring, ch 1] 3 times; join with sl st in top of beginning ch—Four 3-dc groups, and 4 ch-1 sps.
- Round 2: Sl st in next 2 dc, [(sc, ch 3, sc) in next ch-1 sp (corner made), ch 3] 4 times; join with sl st in first sc—4 corners, 4 ch-3 sps.
- Round 3: (Sl st, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in first corner ch-3 sp, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, [(3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next corner ch-3 sp, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp] 3 times; join with sl st in top of beginning ch—4 corners, and four 3-dc groups.
- Round 4: Sl st in next 2 dc, *(sc, ch 3, sc) in next corner ch-1 sp, ch 3, sc in next space between the corner and next 3-dc group, ch 3, sc in next space between next 3-dc group and corner, ch 3; repeat from * 3 more times; join with sl st in first sc—4 corners, and 12 ch-3 sps.
- Round 5: (Sl st, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in first corner ch-3 sp, 3 dc in next 3 ch-3 sp, *(3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next corner ch-3 sp, 3 dc in next 3 ch-3 sp; repeat from * 2 more times; join with sl st in top of beginning ch—4 corners, and twelve 3-dc groups.
- Note: In Round 6 and later rounds you are instructed to work a stitch in the space between 3-dc groups. These include the spaces between a corner 3-dc group and the next side 3-dc group.
- Round 6: Sl st in next 2 dc, *(sc, ch 3, sc) in next corner ch-1 sp, ch 3, [sc in next space between 3-dc groups, ch 3] to next corner ch-1 sp; repeat from * 3 more times; join with sl st in first sc—4 corners, and 20 ch-3 sps.
- Round 7: (sl st, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in first corner ch-3 sp, 3 dc in each ch-3 sp across to next corner, *(3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next corner ch-3 sp, 3 dc in each ch-3 sp across to next corner; repeat from * 2 more times; join with sl st in top of beginning ch—4 corners, and twenty 3-dc groups.
- Continue repeating Rounds 6 & 7 until piece measures one of the sizes listed below.
For the Different Sizes
- XS, S, M = 36″ Square
- X, XL, 2 XL = 38″ Square
- 3XL, 4XL, 5 XL = 40″ Square
- Final Round: (sl st, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in first corner ch-3 sp, dc in next sc, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next sc, across to corner,*(3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next corner ch-3 sp, dc in next sc, 3 dc in each ch-3 sp, dc in next sc across to next corner; repeat from * 2 more times; join with sl st in top of beginning ch. Finish off.
Assembly
- Fold the large square into half.
- Arm Holes – Mark 8″ down from the top fold and place a stitch marker.
- Sew from the 8″ mark to the bottom of the seam opening. Do both sides.
Final Touches
Add a cuff to each arm opening. Join with a sl st to the seam line.
- Ch 1, 1 sc evenly around the hole. Join with a sl St to the beginning sc.
- Ch 3, 1 dc in each around. Join with a sl st.
- Repeat last instruction, 2 more times. Fasten off and weave in ends.
- Repeat for the second armhole.
Entire Opening
You will now crochet around the entire opening. This opening is what appears as her collar heading down behind here. It is a full circle.
Join with a sl st to any seam join at the large opening.
- Ch 1, 1 sc evenly around the base opening. Join with a sl st to the beginning sc.
- Ch 2, 1 hdc in each stitch all the way around. Join with a st st to the beginning hdc.
- Ch 3, 1 dc in each all the way around. Join with a st st to the beginning dc.
- Repeat last instruction 2 more times.
- Fasten off, weave in ends.
Crochet Modern Granny Shrug by Jeanne Steinhilber
Tutorial
Download the MG Modern Granny Pattern Book
Be creative! 🙂 ~ Jeanne – The Crochet Crowd
I am almost finished with making one of these for my daughter. The instructions call for 4 Caron Cakes but I’ve already used 5 (8 oz each) and I’ll need part of another to finish the last 2 rows. Did I do something wrong? 🙂
I’m not sure. How big is your square?
If I recall (I finished and handed it off to her) it was the 36″ called for. Maybe it was the “kind” of Caron Cake I used, which was Sprinkles (bulky). It was cute, but more yarn than I thought.
When you fold in half, before you sew, do you fold it right sides together or wrong sides then turn it right side out before you make the cuffs and collar?
I folded the wrong sides together on worked the cuffs on the right side.
I am doing the shrug but am using a size 3.0 mm hook. How big do I need to make it for a large shrug?
I’m really not sure what you mean by large?
No blue button
added
If you want your granny square to measure 41 inches wide and 36 inches long how would you do that.
One of 2 options, add to either 2 sides to make it longer but not wider or do from the middle rectangle version.
Good Day, I am finishing my shrug, am I correct if I have done this correctly, it does not meet to put a closer. Or did I do it wrong? Otherwise it was super fun to make. Tutorial Mickey does is awesome.
Thank you for taking the time to answer.
Can you try explaining again? I don’t understand what you are asking.
Thank you
I made my shrug to the largest size & put mine together according to direction. Mine does meet in the middle, did I need to make bigger or does it not really designed to meet in the middle?
I’m unsure where you’re talking, are you talking about once the square is finished and you’re creating the armholes? If it isn’t the size you need just continue a few more rounds until your desired size.
Thank you.
You’re very welcome
I don’t think it’s designed to meet in the middle
Ah yes I see what she meant now, you would be right when assembling no it doesn’t technically meet in the middle once you sew up the armholes and add a final border if you choose it will meet if you want to add a snap, hook or button, or use a “shawl pin”
Did you use an I hook? In the video he states H hook.
The picture you put with this pattern is a picture of the rectangular modern granny like you do for the afghan, right? But the instructions make the modern granny square so it is kind of misleading. Or am I completely wrong?
Thank you for this pattern though I love it.
Louisa
There are no pictures of the rectangle modern granny on this page. This one is done as a square. I’m not sure what you are saying. ~ Jeanne
Crochet Modern Granny Shrug by Jeanne Steinhilber
http://thecrochetcrowd.com/crochet-modern-granny-shrug/
This is the page I’m looking at and with it is a picture of a rectangular modern granny shrug. It wouldn’t let me paste the picture. Just wondering how to make a shrug with the rectangular modern granny pattern.
What you are seeing is the square folded in half. First photo square, second photo same square folded.
I love granny squares and this one is pretty cool – even though it is new to me. The tutorial is great. I found out yesterday my boss is retiring in 2 days and 2 weeks so I have to get really busy. Picked purple(s) because it’s her favorite color. Hope I can get it done but that means little fb and lots of crocheting. Thanks for sharing. I LOVE LOVE LOVE The Crochet Crowd. You have taught me so much and everyone is so inspiring. Stay blessed in his love!
j have been looking for a video to do a mandella waistcoat have you or could you make one,,,i cannot read paterns well
I have made a granny square shrug before and LOVE it. Do you think a solid granny square pattern would work for a shrug? I think it should work, I just can’t decide if it will look right!
I know this is a simple pattern.I can kind of read it but it is baffling me.Is this a simple Granny or a modified?
If you check out the video for the Modern Rectangle Granny, it should help.
I really wish I was better at reading patterns. ?
I will keep trying till I get it. ? Thanks for all of your hard work.
Watch the video it will help. It helped me. Good luck
I made one for my 7 yr old son. Great to wear when just out of bed and you don’t want wet sleeves.
I’ll post this on FB also in case you don’t see this one. What is your take on making this for a man? My brother has cancer and he gets chilled easy. I was thinking this in browns and in an XL might be just what he needs to take the chill off. Your thoughts?
That would be awesome. My husband has stage IV lung and brain cancer with seizures (from brain tumor) and he’s constantly complaining of being cold, even in 90• weather.
I’m making one for me out of Lion Brand Landscapes in tropics, gifted yarn.
I don’t see why not. I wore mind to work the other day and it was so cozy. Maybe just pick a more masculine color. Or is he a sports fan? Maybe team colors too might be an option?