Tunisian Crochet Shrug: The Bergschrund Shrug

Recently we talked about double ended Tunisian crochet, and today I want to take a closer look at the Bergschrund Shrug from the Interweave Crochet Winter 2020 issue. This Tunisian crochet shrug is worked from side to side or widthwise as a single flat rectangle. It is then seamed to create a gorgeous oversized shrug that’s both elegant and comfortable. This makes the crochet pattern relatively simple to crochet and a relaxing evening project!

First, let’s take a look at the Tunisian crochet stitch Kabila Sri Ponnusamy used to design this crochet shrug. The Tunisian horizontal bar stitch is worked by inserting your hook from the front to the back through the top horizontal bar between the two vertical bars (see the image below). Then yarn over and pull up a loop. Leave that loop on your hook. You will work it off with the other end of your double-ended Tunisian crochet hook.

Speaking of double-ended Tunisian crochet, this is your chance to explore this Tunisian crochet technique. You will need two balls of yarn; one for the forward pass and a second for the return pass. I am working them in two different colors so that you can see the technique, but for the Bergschrund Shrug, you will work with two balls of yarn in the same color.

With the first ball of yarn (A), pick up a loop in each stitch of your beginning chain and leave the loops on the hook. Turn your work so that you are now working with the opposite end of the double ended Tunisian crochet hook. With the second ball of yarn (B), work the return pass by yarning over and draw through one loop. Then yarn over and draw through two loops across until you only have one loop left on your hook. Do not turn the work! With yarn B and in the Tunisian horizontal bar stitch we just learned, pick up a loop in each stitch across. Turn your work, and with yarn A, work the return pass. Do not turn the work. With A, pick up a loop in each stitch in Tunisian horizontal bar stitch across. Turn your work, and work the return pass in B.

Do you see the pattern now? It’s pretty cool! Continue in this pattern as indicated, and you’ll have a project that’s perfect for an afternoon or evening spent on the couch. Go ahead and binge watch, you have several hundred rows to go.

After you bind off, Kabila walks you through marking and slip stitching the two seams that form the arm holes. An easy edging and you are ready to wear your new Tunisian crochet shrug. The best part is that there is no top or bottom. You can wear it with a deeper collar or turn it around and create a longer silhouette. Order your copy of Interweave Crochet Winter 2020 today because you are going to love the Bergschrund Tunisian Crochet Shrug!

Happy crocheting,
Toni