In 2019, I was approached by MDK editors to contribute a pattern to their book of KnitStrips — knitting patterns written as if they were in a comic book or graphic novel. Further limitations placed on the request were that the pattern had to be gauge and yarn-agnostic, and (unbeknownst to me) I’d have to actually lay out the graphic novel pages myself (their artists would take my layout and “art-ify” it). This was all well beyond my comfort level, and I struggled quite a bit — first misunderstanding the nature of the request, then missing the whole thing about doing my own graphic storyboard for it. I ended up working up a whole sample (seen above on Chad) that didn’t even meet the initial requirements, and had to rework another sample later that year. I was pretty done with the pattern at that point, and ended up making a Moebius cowl that was a bit shorter than it should have been.
Fast-forward to 2021; I had heard nothing throughout the pandemic but finally I got a message from the editors that they weren’t using my pattern and that the rights were reverting to me. I got the sample in the mail a few weeks later. The original sample was also one that had survived the fire, so I now have both samples available, and the pattern was mostly written. Rather than trying to shoehorn such a non-traditional pattern into my usual format, I kept most of the formatting I had worked up for the “storyboard” and added a series of instructional pages in the middle.
Waverley is a pattern that differs greatly from my usual “engineered” style. Aside from a mention of the yarn used to make the sample (Elemental Affects Cormo), there’s no mention of specific gauge, needle size, or yarn weight. This is due to the original pattern requirements, but also because the pattern does work in almost any combination of those things, depending on what you’re trying to get out of it. I have a simple formula for the cast-on which allows you to approximately work out the width of a piece without measuring it. I have a number of ideas which you can use to get the kind of garment — worked flat or in the round — that you’d prefer. Aside from that, it’s a pretty basic intro-level pattern with one extra trick (grafting) as an option depending on what you choose to create.
The return of this pattern to my stable is also a bit of a blessing because it gives me a leg up on my next collection of topological knitwear. As you may remember, I got my start knitting Moebius cowls before I had even heard of double-knitting — and yet, I have never made a double-knit Moebius cowl (until now). This pattern will be the framework on which I build two different Moebius constructions (only the simple one is available now).
Get the pattern now on Ravelry — or join my Patreon before Oct 18th and get it (and any more patterns that come out while you are a Patron) for free!
In other news
My new workshop format (in which I will be recording workshops for future viewing by any who enrolled) seems to be taking off, or maybe it’s just the season. Today’s workshop on Multi-color double-knitting has sold out — and more than sold out, because anyone who marked “No” on their plans to come to the class vs watch it later meant I could open another seat. In the end, I have 20 “actual” seats filled and 5 more who intend only to watch later. So I can sell more enrollments (yay!) while still keeping a number of “live” participants at a comfortable level.
Next month I continue the experiment by adding some weekday evening workshop slots. While these slots won’t work as well for some people, I am curious if people will still enroll (at least at the base price) to get access to the recording. These October workshops still have space, so enroll now before they don’t! November and December will be announced soon.
- Thursday, Oct 21, 6-9pm: Intro to Double-knitting (11 seats left)
- Saturday, Oct 23, 2-5pm: Two-pattern Double-knitting (15 seats left)
- Thursday, Oct 28, 6-9pm: Double-knitting Cables (11 seats left)
Also, if you’re excited about getting recorded workshop access and expect to take more workshops in the future because of this, consider joining my Patreon at the Extreme tier, where you’ll get (among other things) a free workshop of your choice from my BuildingBlox virtual series each month (subject to availability).
Next weekend, I head to Amherst, MA to take part in an even grander experiment: an in-person show (the WEBS Retreat) for the first time in almost 2 years. My in-person chops may be rusty, but we’ll see!
Finally, the Wuxing: 5 Elements collection is almost complete. The pattern for the Bocote hat is done; I’m just working up the sample for photographing. I hope it’ll be ready for consumption next month. You can always grab the collection now, and when the new pattern is released, it’ll drop into your library automatically.
