Summers are full of wonderfully hot days where you can run around in a tank top and soak in those rays. But what happens when the sun goes down? Sweaters can be big and bulky and it’s not that cold. Cardigans are wonderful, but sometimes they just kill your cute outfit. Cute hand woven shoulder shrug/shawlettes? PERFECT!
Shawlettes are not bulky, not super heavy, and only cover your shoulders making them perfect to combat those cooler winds without compromising your outfit or being too much. I absolutely love my shawelettes and I hope you will too. Keep reading to find out how to make them or just head over to my store and check out all the ones I’ve made and are available to you.
Just a heads up, some of my links are associated with an affiliate program, which means if you click the link and purchase the item I can get a small commission at no cost to you. Feel free to read all the boring details here.
Why I Love my Shawlettes
I’ve worn a shawlette with a tank top, dress, shirt, bathing suit, and more. I’ve worn them to family lunches, baptisms, church, weddings, funerals, backyard parties, festivals, around the house, evening walks, the mall/store, pretty much everywhere. They’re so versatile and look good on all body types and with any outfit combination.
How to Make a Shawlette?
First things first, if you haven’t purchased a Stone Mountain Loom 12″ Square, you best get a hold of Theresa and put in your order! Or if you’re not sure how to use the Continuous Strand Weaving Technique, take a look at my earlier blog post on Square Loom Weaving.
Now you have your 12″ Square loom and you know how to weave on it. Time to pick your colors and pattern! I love using variegated yarns, so you can just weave and not worry about color changes. It makes for a quick weave and usually comes out with a neat pattern. You’re welcome to create you’re own pattern, or go take a look at the different patterns I’ve provided here.
*NEW* Try out my FREE Project Planner Printable for the 12″ Square Loom. I’ve created a worksheet to help you write down a pattern/ project idea. Here’s a filled in example:
Start Planning
You need to weave 4 square panels. But before you begin, this is a good time to think about your finish. You have 3 options.
Option 1: If you would like fringe on your shawlette I recommend fringing before the panels come off the loom. To do that, you need to fringe one side of 2 panels, and two sides of the other 2 panels. Like the picture below:
Option 2: If you want to crochet an edge, no fringing necessary. After your project is off the loom and pieced together, that’s when you will finish crocheting a border around your entire project.
Or Option 3: If you want to make your shawlette a little longer, you can crochet a simple border after your project is off the loom and put together. Then you add your fringe to the crochet border. Which means no fringing necessary at this time.
Once you’ve woven all of your pieces, you’re ready to assemble.
To Assemble
Step 1: Using your Main Color yarn (MC), crochet a single chain around all the edges without fringe. *I decided to keep my double strand MC to make the crochet a little thicker. You do not have to do this.
I honestly have only crocheted the sides first for this one shawlette. Normally I jump right in and just start assembling my pieces together by starting with step 2 after my squares are all off the loom.
Step 2: Sew in any ends that do not end up on the fringe sides.
Step 3: Take one single fringe panel and one two sided fringe panel. Cut a long piece of yarn. You are going to use this yarn to sew together three panels. OR if you want to crochet your pieces together, you do not need to cut a strand. Just get your yarn ready using the center pull.
Step 4: Line up your two panels so the fringe is touching on one side. You are going to start sewing the two panels together where the fringe starts. Here’s the youtube video I watched to help me with this method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yq4qCUSfQek
*If you are still having trouble you can always crochet the pieces together. The only difference is you will have a slightly raised seam when crocheted together, where the invisible granny square join will create a flat seam. In the video below, I crochet my pieces together.
Step 5: Using an invisible granny square sewing technique you’re going to sew the two panels together. I will do my best to explain. Start by threading your yarn in a tapestry needle. Sew through the outside loops of your crochet border. Make sure your crochet on your two pieces matches up before continuing.
Step 6: Now, on the same side as the needle, move over a crochet stitch and sew through the loop to the back panel. Go back and forth between the two sides. Here’s the youtube video I watched to help me with this method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yq4qCUSfQek
Step 7: You should have two panel’s sewn together. Now it is time to add the third panel. Grab your last one sided fringe piece and line it up with fringe towards the other fringe on the other panels. Now sew down the side towards the fringe.
Step 8: Tie off your yarn and cut a new strand to sew the last piece into place.
Step 9: You’re going to grab your last piece with two fringe sides. Start by lining up one side of fringe with a side of fringe on the other sewn pieces. Once again starting in the fringe corner, start the invisible granny square join stitch. Once you’ve finished one side, all you have left is to join the two ends of your piece together. Once again make sure you have your fringe touching before you finish sewing.
Step 10: Once it’s all together, enjoy it! Sew in any ends that are not fringe. I recommend washing your shoulder shrug before giving it away in case of shrinkage. Wash according to the label instructions on the types of yarn you use.
Time to Enjoy your New Shawlette!
YAY! You’re done! Now you have a beautiful hand woven piece that you can wear whenever, wherever you want and everyone will admire it.
I hope you enjoyed my little weaving tutorial. I plan to create more tutorials in the future! If reading and trying to figure it out was hard, take a look at my how-to video. *This is my first tutorial video, so be kind.*
Hello! I’m Ashli!
Fiber artist extraordinaire, soaper, and founder of Cobblestone Alpacas.
Here you’ll find information on weaving, knitting, crochet, sewing, felting, yarn dying, spinning, cold process soap making, candle making, and more.
I also provide helpful tips of the trade for creative business artisans and vendors to help grow your business where you want it to be!