Web-Letter, Issue 163 – Alpaca Sox Shawlette Small shawls are my favorite. They are just the right size to wrap around your neck or drape over your shoulders on a cool evening, or when the thermostat isn’t set quite high enough. I enjoy wearing them with the center point to the front and layered under a pea coat when I’m out and about.  This week’s Alpaca Sox Shawlette pattern is an example of a shawl that’s just the right size (and it only takes one hank of Alpaca Sox!); read on to see how to make a larger shawl by simply increasing the number of stitches cast on.
The Story: There are sock knitters who knit nothing but socks, and sock knitters who knit socks as well as other projects; and then there are knitters who are not sock knitters. I have knit socks in the past and I love to wear hand knit socks, but I am not a sock knitter. Alpaca Sox does make a lovely pair of socks but its name is misleading—it's a wonderful yarn for many kinds of projects. When I saw the array of hand painted colors to choose from in Alpaca Sox, I had to cast on. I decided on a shawl in my favorite stitch—garter stitch. To add some interest at the edge, I worked a scalloped rib border. Don't be put off by the number of stitches needed to cast on—they are quickly decreased in the garter stitch section. This shawl can be easily made larger by increasing the number of stitches cast on by a multiple of 42 sts (400, 442 or 484, etc), and by working the repeats for each side chart an extra time for each additional 42 sts cast on. The Yarn: Alpaca Sox 60% alpaca, 20% merino, 20% nylon Alpaca Sox is a yarn lover's dream come true. The blend of alpaca, merino and nylon creates an exquisite yarn that is not only luxurious but also comfortable and warm. Alpaca provides warmth and softness, merino adds elasticity and cushion, and a little nylon adds strength and durability. Alpaca Sox is a 2-ply yarn twisted just enough to be durable, but relaxed enough that the soft alpaca fibers can expand a little and show their halo. This yarn is perfect for socks, but also works well for other projects.  Choose from solid shades, tone on tone kettle dyes or multi-colored hand painted colorways.	more photos The Pattern: Here is the free downloadable Alpaca Sox Shawlette pattern. (file size: 2 MB) Pattern updated 22 April 2011 If you have difficulty downloading or printing the PDF pattern above, try these: page 1 - page 2 - page 3
Download this pattern now Find this design on Ravelry. If you do not yet have access to Ravelry, it's easy to join.
If you like the design above, you'll like this too:
	Lace Ribbon Scarf in Alpaca Sox Pattern available in Web-Letter Issue 125.
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