Sumu

Sumu Triangular Shawl by Eeva Kesäkuu

What Is Being Made

Sumu is a top-down triangular shawl designed by Eeva Kesäkuu. The shawl features a distinctive striped pattern that follows the Fibonacci sequence with minor modifications, creating an elegant mathematical progression of color blocks as the shawl expands from the neckline downward.

Knitting Technique and Construction

This intermediate-level knitting project uses a top-down construction method, beginning at the neck and working outward. The shawl is built using increases positioned in the first half of each row, which creates the characteristic triangular shape. The pattern requires working over 500 stitches per row in the final rows, making long circular needles essential for accommodating the expanding stitch count.

Stitches and Stitch Work

The primary stitch used throughout Sumu is garter stitch, which creates a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges. Garter stitch is formed by knitting every row, making it an accessible choice for intermediate knitters while producing a fabric with excellent drape and elasticity suitable for shawl construction. The pattern also incorporates make 1 (m1) increases to shape the triangular silhouette.

Yarn and Materials

Sumu is designed for ColourMart Cashmere 8/44 NM 4-ply weight yarn, a luxurious lace-weight yarn that provides approximately 900 yards per 150 grams. The shawl requires two colors: 660 yards (600 meters, 109 grams) of main color and 490 yards (450 meters, 82 grams) of contrast color. The 4-ply construction provides a refined, delicate fabric appropriate for the lace-weight category.

Needles and Gauge

Construction requires 2.75 mm (US 2) circular needles at least 80 centimeters (32 inches) long, or straight needles of sufficient length. Straight needles may be substituted if they can accommodate the expanding stitch count. The recommended gauge is 23 to 25 stitches and 60 rows per 10 centimeters (4 inches) in garter stitch when unblocked, reducing to 50 rows per 10 centimeters when blocked. However, row gauge is more critical than stitch gauge for successful completion of this design.

Additional Supplies

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires:

• Waste yarn for provisional cast-on
• 3 mm (US C) crochet hook
• Two stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and increases

Difficulty Level

Sumu is rated as an intermediate-level knitting project. While garter stitch itself is beginner-friendly, the combination of managing a large number of stitches, executing increases consistently, and working with the Fibonacci sequence stripe pattern requires intermediate knitting experience and attention to detail.