20110629

Reflect Zero

Reflect Zero Reflect Zero Detail

I do this a lot. I'll work on something until it's the way I want it, even if it means it's too much work, too meticulous, or takes too much time. So now I finished Reflect Bravo Zero, and clocked so much time on it that the selling price would dwarf all my prices. So I'll be hanging onto this one. Whether I'll end up selling it is still up in the air.

These multiple speed transitions have occurred before on Pyramid Charlie, which I gave to my sister. The variations create a nice break from the standard angles of single speed groupings. As a second attempt at this technique, I found it easier to keep up with. I remember having to frog back or dig down a few times on Pyramid C, yet this time I understood the dynamics well enough to juggle four simultaneous multi-speed transitions.

A 2x1 rib starts it all off, dropping out to stockinette before angling into the alternating seed ribbing of the central diamond section. All the multi-speed stuff happens at the middle. I did this to tighten up the position of the resulting second diamond. The numerous transitions basically translate to more length, and I wanted that diamond section to sit high in the design.

The native weight of this recycled shetland wool is in the neighborhood of DK, but I split it into lace weight. (The original yarn weight can be seen on Carve Bravo.) It's the kind of yarn that some would consider scratchy, but I happen to think that's a good thing, especially for a hat. Coarser wools repel water better, and with proper care they last for fricken ever.

So yeah. I think I'm gonna pack this one away until I decide what to do with it.

20110616

Skew Echo

Skew Echo Skew Echo WiP

Skew Echo is the fifth in the Skew Series. I took this opportunity to cross over into another pattern I've done, applying stitches from one series into this one. The stitch elements first occured on the soon to be released Reflect Bravo. It consists of a seed stitch column alternating with a knit column within the ribbing.

The stitch setup has been applied to the Skew pattern structure. 2x1 ribbing transitions into seed/knit alternations to form the characteristic parallelogram shape with stockinette stitch at the crown.

The yarn is a charcoal gray lamb's wool which recurs with frequency in my work. I like it because it goes with just about everything. It's been recycled from a Gap men's sweater.

I might just do this for all the Echo versions.

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20110607

Thrive Through Cooperation

Duality Delta is about symbiosis, specifically Mutualism in which two organisms benefit from cooperation. This relationship occurs frequently in nature, contributing to the stability of an ecosystem, and facilitating evolutionary survival.

For example, bees pass pollen from flower to flower as they gather it, facilitating plant reproduction. Clownfish enjoy the protection of sea anemones while protecting them from other fish. Mutualistic symbiosis occurs everywhere, and these organisms thrive through cooperation.

Duality Delta

Duality Delta demonstrates Mutualism by using a triangular format to suggest progression, and lengths of garter stitch emanating from the central spine represent life cycles. A reversal occurs at the center where the emanation switches to the outer borders. I use this to suggest the two perspectives of this relationship. While the left and right sides represent each organisms life cycle, the top and bottom sections represent their awareness and perception of the relationship.

The yarn is a navy blue 100% cotton recycled from a sweater vest, and knit on size 5(3.75mm) needles. The piece is set up on a three stitch garter tab with matching three stitch garter borders, and a sewn bind-off.

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