An Inspirational pattern – Knitting and Crochet Blog Week Day | 2 knitcroblo2
One of the first patterns I truly loved was Sharon Emery’s October is for Spinners scarf. It isn’t because the design is fashionable or likely to become one of my wardrobe staples, but the forming and execution of a concept is wonderfully realised in this piece of knitting art.
Image © idyllicchick, click to go to the Rav pattern Page
From the Ravelry Pattern page:
Arachne, the original spinner, is portrayed here in a twisted stitch pattern from Barbara Walker’s Third Treasury of Knitting Patterns. The scarf begins on size 6 US needles using four stands of lace weight yarn held together. While the scarf progresses threads are dropped and the needle size is increased as the consistency of our spinner’s web is interrupted by neglect and disrepair.
The spider’s web becomes less consistent and the uniform quality degrades with tiredness and age, ending in a disorganised and unpredictable texture, reminding us of the powerful forces of age and decay. But I also like to look at it another way, literally. Viewing it from the other end the scarf could also represent the learning curve of a knitter. The first, disarrayed stitches, incomplete, dropped loops, slowly finding consistency and uniformity through practice and refinement.
image © idyllicchick
As a piece of art, though, I like the original sentiment, perhaps along with the belief that you need to learn something, master it, before you can deconstruct and un-learn it in a meaningful way. The free-form scribbled figures of great artists do not come without years of meticulous observation of their subject and perfecting life study portraits, and so perhaps with this pattern. I don’t think I could knit this scarf without a considerable bit of experience and confidence behind me, and perhaps I am approaching that stage now.
Sharon Emery’s wonderful pattern October is for Spinners, is available as a free download from Hanks Yarn. There is also a group for a perpetual October is For Spinners KAL on Ravelry for anyone wanting to read up on the pattern and other’s experiences and work-arounds.
All pictures used with kind permission from the pattern designer, Sharon Emery. Find her here on Ravelry.
Click here to see other blogs tagged with knitcroblo2, blogging about this same topic for Knitting and Crochet Blog week. (May take a few hours to update on Google)
That’s a stunning scarf and I love the idea of the stitches becoming less organised and free form as it progresses. However, I am terrified of spiders, so I don’t think i could bear to do it.
Oh, Lordie, that was a nasty shock. I’m not good with arachnids when I find them unexpectedly.
Not even woolly ones :-}
Inspired design and clever work, nonetheless
Even though I hate spiders in general, I must say it IS a work of art. The very thougts that a put in to the design are so clever and brilliant.
It’s worth chekking out, if not just to learn and be inspired
Herniette
Intriguing! I’ve never seen this pattern before. It could look very Goth knit in black…
Wow, that pattern is amazing. Definately a work of art.
Yep, that’s knitting as art
Wow, that is gorgeous! I’ll check it out. Thanks for sharing.
Cool, cool scarf!
This pattern is really scary! I’m soooo afraid of spiders!
That is quite a scarf. I agree with Henrietta – I’m not fond of spiders, but the scarf and it’s progression of normal to loose stitches is lovely.
Conceptually, this is such an incredible pattern. Really clever design, and I can’t believe I’ve never seen it before. Thanks for sharing it!
I love that spider!
I have knitted this scarf, but I frogged it because it turned out to short…
But since I love the soider, I think I’ll have to knit a pair of socks with them instead
What an amazingly creative design– thanks for sharing!
Wow! I love this pattern and the whole idea behind, inspired
I too agree with Henriette, the concept behind the scarf is so thoughtful and definitely more in the realm of art than craft. But since it has a spider on it, it’s not likely to land in my queue!
Wow! The spider has been in my queue for a long time. This is perfect!
Thanks so much for starting the blog week. I’m really enjoying it.
Beautiful pattern, It really is a wonderful piece of art.
Love the concept. I can’t wait to see your take on it…
What a great concept! And I’m totally with you on “mastering it, before you can deconstruct and un-learn it in a meaningful way” – you captured the thoughts I was trying to explain to my best friend a few days ago perfectly!
I knit the spider scarf for the Ravelympics, it took just over two days – it looks much better as a decorative feature than it does when worn (the unravelled side just looks – well, tatty).
It’s a fabulous design concept, and it is draped in my bedroom. It looks much better than when it was draped on me!
I’m not very fond of spiders, but I agree that it’s an interesting concept. It is a work of art!
Wow! Unusual indeed!
I am not fond of spiders but that is awesome.
I’ve admired this pattern too! I’ve decided someday I’ll make the sock version.
I love spiders and I love the scarf. My family would always be asking why I made such a mess of’the other end’.. My 9 y/o son knows all there is to know about Greek Mythology. I might make it in orange (his fave colour) for halloween
My son found this spider pattern in one of my Barbara Walker books years ago, and helped me design a sweater for him with it on the front (also has a peace sign and an hour glass). Funny to see it on a scarf.
You’ve expressed a perfect way to “see” this work of art.
mym on ravelry