Alma Lou by Shannon Squire

Alma Lou

Knitting
July 2010
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
6 stitches = 1 inch
in stockinette stitch
US 4 - 3.5 mm
350 yards (320 m)
54" wide x 16" deep at middle
English
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I first made this shawlette for my mother, Alma, for her birthday. We call her Alma Lou, because her middle name is Lucretia. I wanted something simple, with a bit of frou-frou, but not too much. Kind of like my Alma Lou. Eyelets seemed to be the way to go, and on a garter background, they’re almost rustic. This is a simple pattern with enough interest to keep you going.

MATERIALS
Fingering-weight version
Yarn: 400 yards/366 m (or more, if you’d like more of a shawl than a shawlette) fingering-weight yarn. I used a red yarn from my stash.
Needles: US5/3.75 mm (or size to obtain gauge) circular needle, 24”/60 cm or longer.
Worsted-weight version
Yarn: 400 yards/366 m worsted-weight yarn. I used Knitted Wit Worsted in Acadia & Redwoods (tan & brown shawl).
Needles: US8/5 mm (or size to obtain gauge) circular needle, 24”/60 cm or longer.
Bulky-weight version
Yarn: 300 yards/274 m bulky-weight yarn. I used Knitted Wit Bulky in Taking Umbrage (pink & green shawl).
Needles: US9/5.5 mm (or size to obtain gauge) circular needle, 24”/60 cm or longer.

All Versions
Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle.

GAUGE
Fingering-weight version: 20 sts = 4”/10 cm in garter stitch, measured after blocking.
Worsted-weight version: 18 sts = 4”/10 cm in garter stitch, measured after blocking.
Bulky-weight version: 14 sts = 4”/10 cm in garter stitch, measured after blocking.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Fingering-weight version: 60” wide from tip to tip, 15” deep at center back, measured after blocking.
Worsted-weight version: 66” wide from tip to tip, 16” deep at center back, measured after blocking.
Bulky-weight version: 60” wide from tip to tip, 15” deep at center back, measured after blocking.

In the Worsted-weight version shown, I used two different colors of Knitted Wit Worsted. I added cB after working the second PATTERN REPEAT, and alternated cA and cB every 2 Rs until I was almost out of cA. I then finished the shawl with cB. Feel free to use scraps, striping, and color-blocking with this pattern; it’s the perfect canvas to express yourself on!