A Quick & Easy Shrug

 Hello Readers. Are you in the middle of the arctic freeze where you live? It is COLD where I am. I wanted to make something warm and cozy. I found this crocheted baby blanket at a thrift store and thought it would make a great shrug. Now is the time for more layers!

Before and after.

This baby blanket was made by hand and that always appeals to me. It was beautiful, it was in great shape and it was a rectangle. That is what I needed. If I put it across my shoulders lengthwise it could be used as a shawl but shawls always slip down and I hate fussing and fixing things like that. If this blanket were made into a shrug with sleeves, it would stay on and that would be easier to wear.

I folded the little blanket lengthwise with the right sides facing each other. I got some very narrow ribbon from my craft supplies. (Matching yarn would also be great for this.) I used a very large embroidery needle and threaded the ribbon through the needle. I started "sewing" the 2 layers of blanket together, starting at the outer edge on the left.

 

I want to point out I left a long "tail" of ribbon when I was sewing. I did not tie a knot or secure the ribbon to the blanket. I let it hang loose because I will sew back to it and tie a knot when I am done. Let me show you what I mean. 

 

I pushed the needle in and out of the 2 layers of blanket. I made large stitches and they will be hidden so this is just to hold the edges together. It doesn't need to be pretty.
 

 I sewed approximately 6-7 inches across from the left outer edge. This will be the sleeve.

 

Then, I sewed all the way back to the outer edge where I started. 

 

When I had stitched my way back to the beginning I tied the 2 ribbon ends in a knot. 

 

I made sure my knot was tight and cut off the excess ribbon. I stitched the other sleeve with my ribbon in the same way.

 

When both sleeves were done I turned the shrug right side out. All of those stitches will be hidden inside the sleeves and the beautiful crochet pattern will show. 

 

I tried it on and here is a look at the back. It has a loose "one-size-fits-all" fit. That makes it a nice project for almost everyone. 

 

This shrug is warm and cozy and only took about 15-20 minutes. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself.