purlJam

# Pink Cape-Sleeve Summer Shrug
### A Beginner Kimono-Style Cardigan • Sizes XS–3XL

A breezy, open-front summer cardigan worked in simple half double crochet. The showpiece is the **cape sleeve** — wide, draping rectangular "wings" that fall gracefully from the shoulder. There's no fiddly shaping: just five rectangles, a few straight seams, and a soft border. Perfect for confident beginners.

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## SIZING

Sizes: **XS (S, M, L, XL, 3XL)**

Designed with a relaxed, open drape (worn open, no closure). Choose by **finished bust**, allowing the front edges to hang loosely.

| Measurement | XS | S | M | L | XL | 3XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finished bust (open, flat ×2) | 36" | 40" | 44" | 48" | 52" | 56" |
| Body length (shoulder to hem) | 20" | 20" | 21" | 21" | 22" | 22" |
| Cape sleeve width (flare) | 16" | 16" | 18" | 18" | 20" | 20" |
| Sleeve seam length | 14" | 14" | 14" | 14" | 14" | 14" |

*Sample shown in size M.*

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## MATERIALS

- **Yarn:** Sport weight (#2 Fine), cotton or cotton/bamboo blend for best summer drape.
  Color: **Soft Pink.**
  Approx. yardage:
  | XS | S | M | L | XL | 3XL |
  |---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | 950 yd | 1050 yd | 1200 yd | 1350 yd | 1500 yd | 1650 yd |
- **Hook:** US H-8 / **5 mm** (or size needed for gauge)
- Tapestry needle
- 6–8 stitch markers
- Scissors

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## GAUGE

**20 hdc × 16 rows = 4" (10 cm)** in half double crochet, blocked.

> Gauge check: 20 sts ÷ 4" = **5 sts per inch**. All stitch counts below use this rate. Take time to make a 5–6" swatch; correct gauge keeps the fit and sleeve drape accurate.

---

## ABBREVIATIONS (US TERMS)

- **ch** – chain
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **hdc** – half double crochet
- **sc** – single crochet
- **sl st** – slip stitch
- **RS / WS** – right side / wrong side
- **rep** – repeat

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## STITCH NOTES

- The turning **ch-1 at the start of each row does NOT count as a stitch.**
- Work the first hdc into the **same first stitch**, and the last hdc into the **last stitch**, to keep counts even.
- Optional stretchy start: replace the foundation chain with **foundation hdc (fhdc)** if you know it.

---

## CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW

This is a **T-shaped kimono**. You will make **5 flat rectangles**:
1. **Back** (1 rectangle)
2. **Left Front** & **Right Front** (2 rectangles)
3. **Cape Sleeves** (2 wide rectangles — the dramatic draping wings)

There is **no armhole shaping, no shoulder shaping, and no sleeve tapering** — the sleeves attach at a right angle to the body for a dropped-shoulder cape effect.

---

# THE PIECES

### Stitch counts by size

| Piece | XS | S | M | L | XL | 3XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Back** – starting ch | 91 | 101 | 111 | 121 | 131 | 141 |
| **Back** – sts | 90 | 100 | 110 | 120 | 130 | 140 |
| **Each Front** – starting ch | 46 | 51 | 56 | 61 | 66 | 71 |
| **Each Front** – sts | 45 | 50 | 55 | 60 | 65 | 70 |
| **Each Sleeve** – starting ch | 81 | 81 | 91 | 91 | 101 | 101 |
| **Each Sleeve** – sts | 80 | 80 | 90 | 90 | 100 | 100 |
| Body rows (to length) | 80 | 80 | 84 | 84 | 88 | 88 |
| Sleeve rows (14" seam) | 56 | 56 | 56 | 56 | 56 | 56 |

> Math check (Back, size M): 110 sts ÷ 5 sts/in = **22" = half of 44" bust.** ✓
> Two Fronts (55 + 55 = 110 sts) = one Back. ✓
> Sleeve (size M): 90 sts ÷ 5 = **18" wide flare.** ✓
> Body rows (M): 84 rows ÷ 16 rows/4" = 21" length. ✓
> Sleeve rows: 56 ÷ 16 × 4 = 14" seam. ✓

---

## BACK

**Ch [91, 101, 111, 121, 131, 141].**

**Row 1 (RS):** hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
→ **[90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140] sts.**

**Rows 2 to [80, 80, 84, 84, 88, 88]:** ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.

Piece should measure approx. **[18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28]" wide × [20, 20, 21, 21, 22, 22]" long.**
Fasten off.

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## LEFT FRONT

**Ch [46, 51, 56, 61, 66, 71].**

**Row 1 (RS):** hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
→ **[45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70] sts.**

**Rows 2 to [80, 80, 84, 84, 88, 88]:** ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.

Piece measures approx. **[9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14]" wide × same length as Back.**
Fasten off.

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## RIGHT FRONT

Work **exactly as Left Front.**
Fasten off.

> The two Fronts together equal the Back width, leaving a naturally open front — no closure needed, but you may add a tie if desired (see Finishing).

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## CAPE SLEEVES (make 2)

These are intentionally **wide rectangles** — that width is what creates the draped cape "wing." Do **not** taper.

**Ch [81, 81, 91, 91, 101, 101].**

**Row 1 (RS):** hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
→ **[80, 80, 90, 90, 100, 100] sts.**

**Rows 2 to 56:** ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.

Each sleeve measures approx. **[16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20]" wide × 14" long.**
Fasten off.

---

# ASSEMBLY

Block all pieces flat to the measurements above before seaming — this opens up the drape. Use mattress stitch or slip-stitch seams with the tapestry needle.

### 1. Shoulder seams
Lay the Back flat (RS up). Place a Front on each side, RS together at the top edge.
- Seam **[3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6]"** in from each outer edge along the top, forming the two shoulders.
- The unseamed center gap (approx. 11–16") becomes the **back neck opening.**

> Shoulder math (M): Front top = 11"; seam 4.5" per shoulder leaves 11 − 4.5 = 6.5" of front neckline slope on each side, and Back center remains open as neckline. ✓

### 2. Attach cape sleeves
Find the shoulder seam. Measure **7"** down the body front and back from each shoulder seam to mark the sleeve placement (total armhole opening = **14"**, matching the sleeve top edge).
- Center the top edge of each Cape Sleeve at the shoulder seam.
- Pin the sleeve's top edge to the body between the two markers and seam in place. The sleeve hangs **perpendicular** to the body (T-shape).

> Sleeve fit check: sleeve top edge = 14" seam length = 7" front + 7" back armhole span. ✓

### 3. Side & sleeve seams
- Seam each **side** from hem up to the underarm marker.
- Seam each **sleeve underside** from underarm to cuff edge.
- For maximum cape drape, you may leave the lower **6–8"** of the sleeve underseam open as a flared vent (optional — beginner-friendly to simply seam fully).

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# BORDER & FINISHING

### Front & neck border
With RS facing, join yarn at the bottom corner of the Right Front.
- **Round 1:** sc evenly up the Right Front, around the back neck, and down the Left Front. Work approx. **3 sc per 4 rows** along vertical edges and **1 sc per st** along the neckline. Turn at corners with an extra sc to keep them flat.
- **Round 2 (simple shell edging):** ch 1, *skip 1 st, 5 hdc in next st, skip 1 st, sl st in next st*; rep from * along the entire border. Fasten off.

> For an even simpler beginner edge, work 2 rounds of plain sc instead of the shell.

### Sleeve cuff edging
With RS facing, join at the sleeve underseam and work **1 round of sc** evenly around each cuff. Sl st to join, fasten off.

### Optional tie closure
For a fitted-at-waist look, make two ties:
- **Ch 60**, then sl st back along the chain. Fasten off.
- Sew one tie to each front edge at natural waist height (about 10–11" up from the hem).

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## BLOCKING

Weave in all ends. Wet- or steam-block the finished shrug, gently opening the front edges and smoothing the cape sleeves so they drape. Let dry flat. Blocking is what gives this summer cardigan its soft, flowing wings.

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## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS RECAP

| | XS | S | M | L | XL | 3XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bust (open, flat ×2) | 36" | 40" | 44" | 48" | 52" | 56" |
| Length | 20" | 20" | 21" | 21" | 22" | 22" |
| Sleeve width | 16" | 16" | 18" | 18" | 20" | 20" |
| Sleeve seam | 14" | 14" | 14" | 14" | 14" | 14" |

Enjoy your breezy pink cape-sleeve shrug! 🌸