Neurosarcoidosis had flared and inflamed my eye nerves. I had 30% vision in my left eye and 15% in my right eye. Because I had high doses of prednisone, I always felt manic and restless. Knitting helped me to stay calm and sane under this stress.

I wanted an easy knit, where I could use my fingers to feel the stitches and hold my interest. For the exciting part, I needed a lot of contrast in the colors. So I used garter stitch in a single color for the easy part and two-color brioche in highly contrasting colors for the added interest.

The shawl pattern has a rhythm too. There are increases at the same points, so it grows into a big triangle. The garter sections have the same width throughout the shawl, and the brioche sections shrink. Like waves, they even out and get smaller as they reach the end of the sea.

I made this shawl design specifically to accommodate my low vision and my particular needs. And after I finished it, I saw it’s beauty and realized that it had worth for other knitters. There are clear written instructions per section in my pattern to make it easier to structure your knitting. I hope you will enjoy knitting the design as much as I’ve done.

COLLABORATION
For this pattern there also is a special kit available as a collab between Josh, Aiden of Undercover Otter and Carolien of Colourful Creativity.

For both Carolien and Aiden, Josh is one of their first and most cherished customers.
The Dancing on Waves pattern is too pretty not to be seen by the world. Josh, Carolien, and Aiden decided to collaborate on this kit to provide the design, and Josh, the platform they deserve. The yarn is simply the tool to make this beautiful shawl dance.

SHELTERSUIT
Josh, Carolien, and Aiden have chosen Sheltersuit for the proceeds of this kit and the pattern. Sheltersuit is a non-profit organization providing immediate shelter to the homeless while using upcycled materials and providing jobs. They believe everyone deserves warmth, protection, and dignity. That is why they design and manufacture multifunctional products that offer shelter to people experiencing homelessness. This is not a replacement for finding a home but a supplement when you have no other choice.

PATTERN INFORMATION

YARN
Version 1 (small) – 165 cm wingspan, 65 cm depth in the middle:
1 x MC: Fingering weight yarn – 425 meters (approximately 102 grams, in brioche seen on the right side)
1 x CC: Fingering weight yarn – 141 meters (approximately 33 grams, in brioche seen on the wrong side)

Version 2 (large) – 230 cm wingspan, 80 cm depth in the middle:
2 x MC: Fingering weight yarn – 765 meters (approximately 180 grams, in brioche seen on the right side)
1 x CC: Fingering weight yarn – 340 meters (approximately 80 grams, in brioche seen on the wrong side)

NEEDLES
3,5 mm/US 4 long circular needle

GAUGE
16 stitches and 42 rows in 10cm/4” square, after blocking, in garter stitch.

TECHNIQUES USED
Two-color brioche (adapted from http://www.briochestitch.com/)
Garter Stitch