Knit Lace Shrug || Belo Casamento Shrug

Time to make a knit lace shrug for your spring / summer wedding outfit. The Belo Casamento, Portuguese for Beautiful Wedding, is the perfect knit lace shoulder shrug addition to a wedding gown or a wedding guest outfit.

Not just for the bride on her special day, a guest can partner a knit lace shrug with a casual dress, sandals, and a pretty long necklace; or a tea length dress, strappy heels, and a dainty diamond necklace and be perfectly attired for the special wedding day.

Wait, what if you don’t have a wedding to go to? Not a problem, wear a knit lace shrug to church, wear it over a tank top to the farmers market, or wear it on your shoulders over a sundress. The point is, it really doesn’t matter where you wear it as long as you wear it!

Looking for a wedding wrap that is not a shrug? We got you covered, check out the Sky River Shawl, or the Return to Me Shawl, or the Knit Uptown Chic Shawl.

Made with silk and merino wool lace weight yarn, this knit lace shrug is light as air but is warm on the body. Perfect to wear when the air conditioning is on high!

Knit this shrug from cuff to cuff and pick up stitches to make a simple 2×2 ribbed collar. So much to learn on this piece. Honestly, whether you are a new lace knitter or an experienced lace knitter, you will find this project informative and fun.

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Knit Lace Shrug Pattern Details

Finished Size: 21 (23, 25)” wide and 32 (35 1/2, 39)” long (before fold after blocking) sample in size S-M.

To Fit Size: S–M (L–1X, 2X–3X) – should fit loosely but not too big and baggy

Gauge: 2 st patt rep (11 sts each) = 4″ in Lace Stitch after blocking; 1 row patt rep (24 rows) = 3 1/2″ in Lace Stitch after blocking; 19 sts and 24.75 rnds ­= 4″ in 2 x 2 Ribbing after blocking.

Please read this article about the importance of a gauge swatch and lace knitting!

Materials

Yarn: Fyberspates, “Scrumptious Lace” (45% silk, 55% merino; 3.5 oz (100 grams), 1093 yards (1000 m)); 1 (1, 2) balls.  [Sample used 68 grams of yarn]

Other affordable lace yarn suggestions include: Alpaca Cloud Lace, Gloss Lace, Curio #10 Cotton

Needles: US 5/ 3.75mm, 24″, 32″ circular needles; or size to obtain correct gauge. Take the time to knit a gauge swatch and get gauge! *highly recommend a needle with a precision point.

Notions: Tapestry Needle, Stitch Markers, Smooth Cotton Thread to hold stitches, Blocking Supplies

Abbreviations

Special Stitches

k2tog: Knit 2 sts together (1 st decreased).

ssk: (slip, slip, knit) slip 2 sts, 1 at a time, knitwise to the RH needle; return sts to LH needle in turned position and knit them together through the back loops (1 st decreased)

yo: Yarn over (1 st increased).

Special Techniques

⭐️ Picot Bind-off: *Cast on 2 sts using a knit-on cast on.  BO 4 stitches (the 2 just cast on and 2 additional stitches); rep from * to end.

⭐️ Wrap and turn (w&t): Knit row—Wyib, slip next st purlwise onto RH needle, bring yarn to front of work, return slipped st to LH needle, bring yarn to back of work, then turn work. Purl row—Wyif slip next st purlwise onto RH needle, bring yarn to back of work, return slipped st to LH needle, bring yarn to front of work, then turn work.

⭐️ Hide Wraps: Knit row—Pick up the wrap from the front with the RH needle and knit together with the st it wraps. Purl row—pick up the wrap through back of loop with right hand needle and purl together with the st it wraps.

⭐️ Stretchy Bind Off: Knit 2 stitches, *insert the LH needle into the front of both stitches on the RH needle from left to right and knit the two stitches together through the back loops. Knit 1 from the LH needle; repeat from * until all stitches are boud off.

Pattern Stitches

Lace Pattern (multiple of 11 sts + 1)

Rows 1, 3 and 5 (RS): *K1, yo, k3, ssk, k2tog, k3, yo; rep from * to last st, k1.

Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl.

Row 7: *K2, yo, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2, yo, k1; rep from * to last st, k1.

Row 9: *K3, yo, k1, ssk, k2tog, k1, yo, k2; rep from * to last st, k1.

Row 11: *K4, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k3; rep from * to last st, k1.

Row 13: *K2tog, k3, yo, k2tog, k4; rep from * to last st, k1.

Rows 15 and 17: *K2tog, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, ssk; rep from * to last st, k1.

Row 19: *K2tog, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2, ssk; rep from * to last st, k1.

Row 21: *K2tog, k1, yo, k5, yo, k1, ssk; rep from * to last st, k1.

Row 23: *K2tog, yo, k7, yo, ssk; rep from * to last st, k1.

Row 25: *K2tog, yo, k4, k2tog, k3, yo; rep from * to last st, k1.

Rep rows 2-25 for Lace Patt.

2 x 2 Ribbing (multiple of 4 sts; worked in the round)

Rnd 1: *K1, p2, k1; rep from * around.

Rep rnd 1 for pattern.

Note: To continue in 2 x 2 Ribbing when working short rows, k the knit sts and p the purl sts, as they appear.

Notes

• Shrug is worked from cuff to cuff with a picot bind off. 
• In order for the beginning to match the end (or the cuff to match the cuff) begin with a provisional cast on (video help) so the cast on stitches can be placed on a needle after the body is finished and a picot bind off can be completed.
• Recommend using a lifeline (video help) in the project every full repeat. 
• The Shrug is seamed at the under arms and stitches are picked up to create the collar.
• Pattern is written with wrap and turns, but german short rows can be used instead. Be sure to adjust pattern instructions as necessary if you use them.
• Wash and blocking is a MUST with this project! 

KNIT LACE SHRUG PATTERN

Body

With 24″ circular needle and a provisional cast on (see notes), CO 115 (126, 137). 

Do not join; work back and forth in rows.

Row 1 (RS): Knit.

Row 2: K2, p to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 3: K2, work Row 1 of Lace Pattern to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 4: K2, work next row of Lace Pattern to last 2 sts, k2.

Keeping the first and last 2 stitches always knit, work in Lace Patt (see pattern stitches) for a total of 220 (244, 268) rows of Lace Pattern. 

Note: You will work a total of 9 (10, 11) Lace Patt row reps, then continue in pattern working rows 2-4 of Lace Patt once more.

Next Row (RS): Knit.

Next Row: Knit.

BO using the picot bind-off (see special stitches). 

Fasten off the yarn.  

Return the held stitches from the provisional cast-on to the needle.

With the WS facing, join yarn and knit 1 row. 

BO all sts using the picot bind-off.

BLOCKING AND ASSEMBLY

Wash and block piece to measurements. Fold piece lengthwise with RS together. Seam the selvedge edges together to create sleeves, sewing from outer edge in towards the center for 4″, leaving the center unseamed. Use caution when seaming that you do not leave the center opening too small or it will be difficult to get the shrug on to wear.

COLLAR

With 32″ circular needle, beg at one sleeve seam, pick up and knit 128 (144, 162) sts evenly along one half of the shrug opening to the other sleeve seam, place marker for side, pick up and knit another 128 (144, 162) sts along the second half of the shrug opening—256 (288, 324) sts. Place marker for beg of rnd.

Work in 2 x 2 Ribbing for 3″.

**Shape Trim with Short Rows as follows:

Short Row 1 (RS): *Work in 2 x 2 Ribbing to 4 sts before m, w&t; rep from * on WS.

Short Row 2 (RS): *Work in 2 x 2 Ribbing to 3 sts before wrapped st of previous row, w&t; rep from * on WS.

Rep the last short row 6 more times (16 turns).

Next 2 Rnds (RS): Work to end of rnd, working wraps together with the sts they wrap as they appear.

Cont to work for ½”.

Rep from ** once more. BO all sts in patt using a stretchy bind off.

FINISHING

Steam block the collar. Weave in all loose ends.

Final Thoughts for the Knit Lace Shrug

As we finish off and weave in the final stitches of the Belo Casamento knit lace shrug, we step back to admire the craftsmanship and beauty of this versatile piece. Whether draped over a wedding gown, accompanying a chic guest outfit, or adding a touch of elegance to a casual sundress, this shrug proves to be the perfect companion for any occasion. Its blend of silk and merino wool ensures it’s as practical as it is stylish, offering just the right amount of warmth against a cool breeze or an overzealous air conditioner. This pattern is a delightful challenge for lace knitters of all skill levels, inviting both beginners and veterans to develop their artistry. So wear it proudly to your next event, or let it accompany you to the farmers market – the Belo Casamento is a celebration of knitting and style, a testament to the joy of creating something truly beautiful.

Happy Knitting!

~Marly Bird, Your BiCrafty Bestie