Kōsetsu Shrug and Cosy Delight yarn review

‘Kōsetsu’ is Japanese for ‘snowfall’ and with Sapporo receiving the most snow on the planet (485 cm /191 inches per year!) it seemed an appropriate name for this shrug, which will keep you cosy in the coldest of winters.

When Stylecraft asked me to design something with one of their yarns, I knew I wanted to use Cosy Delight. It's a chunky-weight yarn (my favourite yarn weight), but as the fibres are manufactured using a jet air process, this yarn is as light as air AND toasty warm, too.

Now, sometimes when I've worked with chunky-weight yarns, their weight and bulk means that they're not always suitable for garments, but this yarn is very different and I have to say, I was very impressed when I worked with it.

Firstly, it frogs like a dream, which is particularly important for me as a designer, especially when I need to be trying out a few stitches or rows and have to adjust stitches. Often with fluffy yarns, the fibres stick together and the yarn stretches and breaks when any attempt to rectify mistakes is made (mohair nightmares, anyone?). However, this doesn't happen with Cosy Delight and I could pull back the stitches confidently, without worrying any adverse effects.

Then there's the colour range: simple, stylish and perfect for the winter. I chose the cream because I wanted it to go with everything, but it would look equally lovely in any of the shades. 

Here's the yarn details:

Composition: 76% Acrylic, 24% Polyamide 

Ball Weight: 100g

Yardage/Meterage: 240 yds/ 220 m

Hook Size: 6 - 7 mm

Tension: 14 stitches x 20 rows to 10 cm square

Wash Care: Machine Wash at 30 Degrees C, Cool Tumble Dry, May Dry Clean, Do not Iron 

RRP: around £3.99 

If you join the Stylecraft Make-Along group on Facebook, you'll be able to find a special discount code off the patterns in my shop and you'll be able to share your projects with the team!

Buy the pattern here.

Enjoy making and stay warm!!

Sarah xx

The Simple Shrug

I wanted to make a simple shrug.

Nothing too fancy, and certainly nothing too complicated.

Oh, and something quick.

I loves a quick project.

And so I designed one. 

Actually, I designed three; in small, medium and large sizes.

And I called it The Simple Shrug (bet you didn't see that one coming..).

What makes it simple, I hear you ask?

Well, it only has 10 (ish) rows.

You only need to know chain, double and treble crochet stitches (UK) / chain, single and double crochet stitches (US) and how to work the back loops only (BLO).

And you can make it in a couple of hours because it uses chunky-monkey yarn and a mahooosive hook.

What's not to love?

You can see me making it on Craft Daily TV, too!

So here you are!

Enjoy making,
Sarah x
 

[the UK versions are first and the US versions below]

SIMPLE SHRUG PATTERN (UK)

Small. To fit bust 32-34"

Medium. To fit bust 36-38"      

Large. To fit bust 40-42"

All sizes are approximate. Due to the stitch construction, the shrug has some stretch.

Guage: 7.5 stitches and 4 rows to 5 inches
 

Abbreviations:

Chain = ch

Stitches = sts

Slip stitch = sl st 

Double crochet = dc

Treble crochet = tr

Back loops only = BLO

 

Construction:

This pattern is worked in joined rounds. When you begin a round, make the chain/s and then put the first stitch of the round in the same stitch as the chain. When you've finished the round, join with a sl st to the first stitch, ignoring the sl st and chain from the previous round. (See the show on Craft Daily TV for a demonstration)

All rounds are worked in BLO

 

If you want to make your shrug longer, then add more rows where the pattern indicates - don't forget to buy more yarn, too.  

Small size

You will need:

4 x balls of Drops Polaris Yarn (I used Off White #01)

15mm hook

Foundation chain: ch 38. Join with a sl st to the first ch

(Work following rounds in BLO)

Rnd 1. ch 1, dc 38 (beginning in same st as the ch) (38sts)

Rnd 2. ch 2, tr 8, (2tr in next st x3), tr 16, (2tr in next st x3), tr 8 (44)

 

Rnd 3. ch 2, tr 10, (2tr in next st x2), tr 20, (2tr in next st x2), tr 10 (48)

Rnd 4. ch 2, tr 11, (2tr in next st x2), tr 22, (2tr in next st x2), tr 11 (52)

 

Rnd 5. ch 2, tr 12, (2tr in next st x2), tr 24, (2tr in next st x2), tr 12 (56)

Rnd 6. ch 2, tr 13, (2tr in next st x2), tr 26, (2tr in next st x2), tr 13 (60)

 

Rnds 7-9. * ch 2, tr 60

Rnd 10. ch1, dc 60.

 

*adjust the number of rounds to reach desired length

 

Fasten off, weave in ends.

Medium size

You will need:

5 x balls of Drops Polaris Yarn (I used Medium Grey #04)

15mm hook

Foundation chain: ch 38. Join with a sl st to the first ch

(Work following rounds in BLO)

Rnd 1. ch 1, dc 38 (beginning in same st as the ch) (38sts)

Rnd 2. ch 2, tr 8, (2tr in next st, 3tr in next st, 2tr in next st), tr 16, (2tr in next st, 3tr in next st, 2tr in next st), tr 8 (46)

 

Rnd 3. ch 2, tr 10, (2tr in next st x3), tr 20, (2tr in next st x3), tr 10 (52)

Rnd 4. ch 2, tr 12, (2tr in next st x2), tr 24, (2tr in next st x2), tr 12 (56)

 

Rnd 5. ch 2, tr 12, (2tr in next st x3), tr 26, (2tr in next st x3), tr 12 (62)

Rnd 6. ch 2, tr 15, (2tr in next st x2), tr 28, (2tr in next st x2), tr 15 (66)

 

Rnds 7-9. * ch 2, tr 66

Rnd 10. ch1, dc 66

 

*adjust the number of rounds to reach desired length

Fasten off, weave in ends

Large size

You will need:

6 x balls of Drops Polaris Yarn (I used Medium Grey #04)

15mm hook

Foundation chain: ch 42. Join with a sl st to the first ch

(Work following rounds in BLO)

Rnd 1. ch 1, dc 42 (beginning in same st as the ch) (42sts)

Rnd 2. ch 2, tr 9, (2tr in next st x3), tr 18, (2tr in next st x3), tr 9 (48)

 

Rnd 3. ch 2, tr 10, (2tr in next st x4), tr 20, (2tr in next st x4), tr 10 (56)

Rnd 4. ch 2, tr 12, (2tr in next st x4), tr 24, (2tr in next st x4), tr 12 (64)

 

Rnd 5. ch 2, tr 14, (2tr in next st x4), tr 28, (2tr in next st x4), tr 14 (72)

Rnd 6. ch 2, tr 17, (2tr in next st), tr 36, (2tr in next st), tr 17 (74)

 

Rnds 7-10. * ch 2, tr 74

Rnd 10. ch1, dc 74.

 

*adjust the number of rounds to reach desired length

 

Fasten off, weave in ends.

SIMPLE SHRUG PATTERN (US)

Small. To fit bust 32-34"

Medium. To fit bust 36-38"      

Large. To fit bust 40-42"

All sizes are approximate. Due to the stitch construction, the shrug has some stretch.

Guage: 7.5 stitches and 4 rows to 5 inches
 

Abbreviations:

Chain = ch

Stitches = sts

Slip stitch = sl st 

Double crochet = dc

Treble crochet = tr

Back loops only = BLO

 

Construction:

This pattern is worked in joined rounds. When you begin a round, make the chain/s and then put the first stitch of the round in the same stitch as the chain. When you've finished the round, join with a sl st to the first stitch, ignoring the sl st and chain from the previous round. (See the show on Craft Daily TV for a demonstration)

All rounds are worked in BLO

 

If you want to make your shrug longer, then add more rows where the pattern indicates - don't forget to buy more yarn, too. 

Small size

You will need:
4 x balls of Drops Polaris Yarn (I used Off White #01)
15mm hook

Foundation chain: ch 38. Join with a sl st to the first ch
(Work following rounds in BLO)
Rnd 1. ch 1, sc 38 (beginning in same st as the ch) (38sts)
Rnd 2. ch 2, dc 8, (2dc in next st x3), dc 16, (2dc in next st x3), dc 8 (44)

Rnd 3. ch 2, dc 10, (2dc in next st x2), dc 20, (2dc in next st x2), dc 10 (48)
Rnd 4. ch 2, dc 11, (2dc in next st x2), dc 22, (2dc in next st x2), dc 11 (52)

Rnd 5. ch 2, dc 12, (2dc in next st x2), dc 24, (2dc in next st x2), dc 12 (56)
Rnd 6. ch 2, dc 13, (2dc in next st x2), dc 26, (2dc in next st x2), dc 13 (60)

Rnds 7-9. * ch 2, dc 60

Rnd 10. ch1, sc 60.

*adjust the number of rounds to reach desired length

Fasten off, weave in ends.

Medium size

You will need:
5 x balls of Drops Polaris Yarn (I used Medium Grey #04)
15mm hook

Foundation chain: ch 38. Join with a sl st to the first ch
(Work following rounds in BLO)
Rnd 1. ch 1, sc 38 (beginning in same st as the ch) (38sts)
Rnd 2. ch 2, dc 8, (2dc in next st, 3dc in next st, 2dc in next st), dc 16, (2dc in next st, 3dc in next st, 2dc in next st), dc 8 (46)

Rnd 3. ch 2, dc 10, (2dc in next st x3), dc 20, (2dc in next st x3), dc 10 (52)
Rnd 4. ch 2, dc 12, (2dc in next st x2), dc 24, (2dc in next st x2), dc 12 (56)

Rnd 5. ch 2, dc 12, (2dc in next st x3), dc 26, (2dc in next st x3), dc 12 (62)
Rnd 6. ch 2, dc 15, (2dc in next st x2), dc 28, (2dc in next st x2), dc 15 (66)

Rnds 7-9. * ch 2, dc 66

Rnd 10. ch1, sc 66

*adjust the number of rounds to reach desired length

Fasten off, weave in ends

Large size

You will need:
6 x balls of Drops Polaris Yarn (I used Medium Grey #04)
15mm hook

Foundation chain: ch 42. Join with a sl st to the first ch
(Work following rounds in BLO)
Rnd 1. ch 1, sc 42 (beginning in same st as the ch) (42sts)
Rnd 2. ch 2, dc 9, (2dc in next st x3), dc 18, (2dc in next st x3), dc 9 (48)

Rnd 3. ch 2, dc 10, (2dc in next st x4), dc 20, (2dc in next st x4), dc 10 (56)
Rnd 4. ch 2, dc 12, (2dc in next st x4), dc 24, (2dc in next st x4), dc 12 (64)

Rnd 5. ch 2, dc 14, (2dc in next st x4), dc 28, (2dc in next st x4), dc 14 (72)
Rnd 6. ch 2, dc 17, (2dc in next st), dc 36, (2dc in next st), dc 17 (74)

Rnds 7-10. * ch 2, dc 74
Rnd 10. ch1, sc 74.

*adjust the number of rounds to reach desired length

 Fasten off, weave in ends.