Inspired by the latest Little Women movie, I designed a shawl as practical as Jo and as feminine as Amy and that any of the four sisters would love. My only other requirement was that it be accessible to relatively new knitters, including videos for all the basic techniques. The result – a worsted weight, garter stitch shawl with an I-cord cast-on, a color fade in multicolored or variegated yarns, an I-cord edge and an I-cord picot bind-off. Mimicking a raglan sweater, the square back sits securely over the shoulders and stays on like a warm hug without ties or pins. The front curls into the loopy edge, adding playfulness and fun. This is NOT a traditionally shaped shawl as it is square in the back and heart-shaped in the front.

YARN
Malabrigo Rios (100% merino superwash, 210 yards /100 grams), 3 skeins. Choose 1, 2 or 3 coordinating colors. Please see the charts for 3 different options for color fade patterns Amy, Beth and Jo. Amy is a 3-color pattern and Beth and Jo are 2-color patterns. If using another yarn, choose a multicolored or variegated superwash wool. This pattern uses all 630 yards. If you think you want your shawl to be larger, purchase additional yarn.

Shown samples: Amy in Lotus, Purpuras and Arco Iris and Beth in Teal Feather and Camaleon.

NEEDLES AND TOOLS
US 9 / 5.5 mm circular needle (40 in / 100 cm).
Stitch markers - (4) in various colors.

GAUGE
15 sts and 25 rows to 4 in / 10 cm over garter stitch after blocking. Be sure to block your swatch as superwash wool grows when you wash it. My gauge before washing was 16 sts and 34 rows to 4 in / 10 cm.

SIZE
Width: 34 in / 86 cm
Depth down back: 17 in / 43 cm