Zulo by Lee Meredith

Zulo

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Knitting
March 2015
DK (11 wpi) ?
4.5 stitches = 1 inch
in stockinette
US 7 - 4.5 mm
500 - 800 yards (457 - 732 m)
any size (see notes for details)
English
This pattern is available for $7.00 USD
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This pattern includes 2 versions - the fully patterned shawl, in worsted-ish weight yarn (the DK yarn used in the sample appears/acts more like a worsted weight), and a simple variation with lace patterns only around the edges and in the wedges, stockinette stitch filling the body, which is for any weight yarn and custom sizable.

Zulo uses the same construction concepts as Betiko, and is part of the Betiko collection, which includes 4 patterns total, all with complex versions and simple variations included, like this one.

The pattern includes how-tos for the provisional cast-on and short rows, process photos and diagrams, and detailed notes on sizing, the construction, the charts, etc. All this makes for a lengthy pdf; the written pattern is on 4 photo-less pages, the charts are on 3 pages, with the large charts written out on another 4 pages at the end (for optional use).

All the stitch patterns are charted and written, though the large lace panels for the fully patterned version are much easier to work using the charts - each of the 4 sections has all charts needed on a single page, so you don’t need to flip between pages while knitting.

The fully patterned version is an advanced level pattern; the simple variation is more intermediate. For either project, reading your knitting is important and watching what you’re doing, to understand what’s happening as you go, will help the project go by smoothly.


from the pattern…

This complex lace shawl, made chunky and squishy in worsted-ish weight yarn, features lace patterning filling every section, and around all the edges. However, you can also make a simple variation, without all the extreme intricacy, in any weight yarn you like; just the lace edgings around the borders, with a basic body.

The parts of either version are connected modularly, using short rows, no picked up stitches or seaming. The wedges, which help it flare out into a big U shape, are filled with a simple eyelet lace pattern.

All versions and sizes of Zulo are rounded - the fully patterned shawl in the standard size is large, with a tall height, while the simple version is customizable in size/shape, with the given sizes made to be shorter than the full version. No matter how huge your shawl is, you’ll only ever cast on 8 stitches, and bind off just a few stitches. All other stitches will be added and subtracted with increases, decreases, and short rows.

This design uses the same construction as the Betiko shawl; Betiko is a Basque name meaning eternal, as that shawl is forever customizable, and Zulo is a Basque word for hole (as in eyelet holes, in lace).


You need
‣ for fully patterned version: approx 700 yards / 640 meters total DK-worsted weight yarn, for the standard size, with the thin edging
-- or, approx 550 yards / 500 meters for smaller size
-- or, more yardage for larger size (as big as you want)
-- or, different weight to adjust size/look (see Gauge)
-- for wide edging, approx 70 yards / 65 meters more
-- outer edge can optionally be made in a contrasting color - the edge requires approx 80{160} yards / 75{150} meters for the thin{wide} edge versions, if making a standard size shawl
-- the standard size (thin edge) full pattern sample used Three Fates Yarns Themis BFL DK (which is labeled as DK weight, but appears as a worsted weight), 3 skeins in Orange Love Machine
‣ for fully patterned version: size US 7 / 4.5mm long circular needle (60” is recommended, but 32” or longer will work), or size to get gauge
‣ for simple variation: enough yarn in any weight, either all the same color, or mostly in one main color, plus approx 1 skein worth in contrasting edge color yarn; very approximate estimates here are for total yardage for small{medium, large}
-- bulky: 300{400, 500} yards / 275{365, 455} meters
-- worsted: 360{460, 560} yards / 330{420, 510} meters
-- sport: 400{520, 640} yards / 365{475, 585} meters
-- fingering: 450{580, 710} yards / 410{530, 650} meters
-- the medium size sample used Three Fates Yarns Terra Sock fingering weight, 1 full skein (460 yards / 420 meters) in Fremont, 1 partial skein (120 yards / 110 meters) in Netarts for the wide edging
‣ for simple variation: needles sized to match yarn - a long circular (60” is recommended, but 32” or longer will work)

Gauge
For DK-worsted weight fully patterned version: approx 4.5 sts per inch / 2.5 cm, in stockinette.
Or, for a more delicate, lacy kind of shawl, instead of the thick, squishy fabric made by the worsted weight, use a yarn more around sport weight, with similarly sized needles for the approx same gauge, which will give you a loosely knit, open lace fabric.
Or, adjust gauge to adjust size (use a finer weight/gauge for a smaller size, or a heavier yarn / larger needle size for a larger size).

For simple variation, use any weight yarn for any gauge (the sock yarn sample was knit loosely on size US 5 / 3.75mm needles, for a gauge of approx 5 sts per inch). Use needles larger than the recommended size to get a loose, drapey fabric for your shawl, like the sample. There is no need to make a gauge swatch or measure your gauge at all for this version.

Sizing/shape
The fully patterned and simple versions of the shawl can differ in sizing/shape, as the simple version is much more customizable. There is a standard size for the fully patterned version (a large size), while there are small{medium, large} sizes for the simple variation.
The simple variation sizes given make for a more narrow shape than the fully patterned version, longer width with a shorter height, but the size and shape can be customized as you like.

For the fully patterned version, there is a standard size (the size of the sample), which is a large size; you may adjust to make yours smaller or larger if you want to.
Standard fully patterned measurements are approx:

  • 66 inches / 166 cm wide (with top edge measured held in a straight line)
  • 16 inches / 41 cm high (in center)

The simple pattern variation sizes as written make for a more shallow height, but this version can be made in any size you like, and you can customize the shape as you like.
Simple version small{medium, large} measurements as the pattern is written will block out to approx:

  • 45{56, 67} inches / 114{142, 170} cm wide (with top edge measured in a straight line)

  • 11{13, 15} inches / 28{33, 38} cm high (in center)