I have a new addiction. It’s totally magical. It’s the moebius – you know, those strips of paper you made as a kid with one half-twist, then taped together to form a ring with only one side. Well, using knit’s inherently magical structure, you can create something similar with yarn!
You begin by casting stitches onto a long circular needle, about 40-47″ (100-120cm), and then just start knitting. You go around and around and around, never having to turn your work, much like circular knitting. However, your knitting doesn’t just grow up from the cast-on edge. It grows in both directions from your cast-on edge.
I highly recommend watching Cat Bordhi’s video, Intro to Moebius Knitting. She leads you step-by-step through the whole process. Once you’ve got it, continue on with the pattern below. It’s an easy rib pattern that helps the shrug to “hug” you and stay put, while also providing a bit more interest than stockinette. The boucle yarn is so soft and light, you’ll forget you’re wearing it.
Materials:
- Fleece Artists Goldielocks (56% Kid Mohair, 24% Silk, 20% Nylon): 1 skein (500m/125g), Topaz
- US 9 40″ circular; I used my addi Turbo Clicks
- Stitch marker
Pattern:
- Gauge: 10 stitchess/24 rows = 4″
- Using the Moebius Cast-on, cast on 116 sts. Place marker at beginning of round.
- Work 4×4 rib (k4, p4) all the way around.
- Continue in the ribbing pattern until piece measures approximately 8″ tall (about 24 rows; remember, each row you knit will create two rows – one on each side of the cast-on).
- Bind off in pattern (4×4 rib).
Modifications:
The pattern, as written, can be worn in several ways by many body sizes. However, if you feel that you want a wider or narrower strip (to accommodate wider or narrower shoulders), simply add or subtract cast-on stitches in multiples of 8. The total number of cast-on stitches divided by 4 must equal an ODD number in order for the rib pattern to remain continuous.
You may also choose to create a longer shoulder wrap; the model shown uses only about 40g, so there’s plenty to make a larger wrap. In that case, simply continue knitting until you have reached the length you want. Be aware, however, that if you choose to create a longer wrap, you may find that wearing it in all the ways pictured here might become uncomfortable. In particular, I’m thinking of the cowl style. I find that the piece is already fairly fluffy enough under my neck as is, and probably wouldn’t want too much extra fabric. However, it’s totally up to your preferences!
