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Illusion knitting meets mitred triangles

We have been experimenting with using the techniques of mitred knitting to add another dimension to illusion designs. This beautiful butterfly is the first completed design using the techniques simultaneously.

The clever construction creates a mitred triangle with a line of symmetry for the patterning on the wing. This is only half the butterfly as the second half is added by picking up stitches and adding another identical triangle. You can see all of the butterfly when you spread it out but it becomes much more ephemeral when you are wearing it. As you move around different parts come in and out of view.

This is not much more difficult to make than our other illusion designs. Because of the symmetry and ever-decreasing triangles, the charting is slightly different from our usual charts. We would recommend that you familiarise yourself with our methods before you try this one. There are lots of samples to try on our World of Illusion Knitting web site.

The photos show detail of the fancy edging. The pattern also includes instructions for a simple, plain edging.

The shawl in the photos was made using DK yarns and measures approximately 56” (140 cm) across, excluding the border. Approximately 440 yards (400m) of yarn in each of two contrasting colours was used for the main body of the shawl, extra is required for the border. Using different yarn would make it bigger or smaller.

One of the photos shows what you see when you look straight at the shawl. It is shown hanging on the wall, fixed to a pole with Velcro.

You can see the butterfly moving in this video.

Note:
You will need a circular needle to hold the large number of stitches at the start of each triangle.
The triangles begin with a temporary cast on, which is essential to maintain the symmetry.