How do you decide how long to make a shawl if the person is short?

[beaglemom]

I am making a friend a prayer shawl. The pattern calls for it to be 60 inches long when done but my friend is barely scraping 5 ft tall, so shouldn't I make it shorter?? If so, how do I decide what length to make it?? If it helps, she is also petite.

 

Thanks for any advice!

 

Cindy

[Granny Square]

A triangle shawl, or a stole-type?  I think the relevant measurement is a person's 'wingspan', the part of the shawl that goes over the shoulders should be a little longer than that .

 

I believe a person's hight=wingspan (roughly), so you want the part that goes over the shoulders to be at least her height.  If it is a triangle, the part from mid-neck to the triangle's third point will be well less than the person's height.

 

If its a triangle, a pattern that starts at the center back tip and increases would be the easiest to work to the size you need, versus one that starts from the long edge and decreases.

[beaglemom]

Hi GrannyI

 

Thanks for the help. Yes, it is a stole type shawl. The patten calls for it to be 72 inches long but that would be WAY too big for her, I'm thinkin'!!!! I appreciate the advice!

[Granny Square]

72" is only 6" past each of her outstretched fingertips, not way too long at all.  It should be a bit longer than her wingspan.  If it is less, she won't be able to keep it on.

[Real Deal]

I usually make shawls approx the fingertip to fingertip reach of the person, which tends to be their height. If your friend is 5' tall, then her reach is 60".

[RoseRed]

72" is only 6" past each of her outstretched fingertips, not way too long at all.  It should be a bit longer than her wingspan.  If it is less, she won't be able to keep it on.

I can vouch for that.