I submitted this design for consideration in the Autumn issue of Pom Pom Quarterly 2019 “Sea Change” but was not selected. At the time, an important conversation had just started in our community regarding inclusivity of size, race, and economic status.

What a revelation! My thoughts transformed from not understanding the anger being expressed on social media to realizing the biases I unknowingly carried. Now I am examining my privilege and exploring how I interact with others who are not like me.

It is a journey. The transformation does not happen quickly but we must do the work.

This patterns represents my awakening during this revolutionary period and I’m happy to now share it here.

It uses 4-7 (or more) mini skeins of your cherished leftovers or a set from your favorite dyer. You can start with 2 mini-skeins and add to the cowl as you collect more minis/leftovers to add to your project.

You’ll use garter short row sections and then tiny garter stripes to transition to each mini skein. The pattern will become instinctual after the first few waves and will be a great meditative knit that you can take with you or work on during your favorite show.

Each side of the cowl will have a different look and you can wear it reversibly for a more distinct transition on one side or a faded look on the other. Wear it upside down to accentuate your beginning or ending color depending on your mood.

Liz’s Spectrum is the partner pattern to Carol’s Frequency both names originate from Stephen King’s, “Hearts in Atlantis.” Carol is a young girl with a strange magnetic pull to the people around her, especially young Bobby Garfield. Liz is Bobby’s moody, temperamental mother whose aura can impact any room. If you’re not on the same wavelength as her - look out! Throughout the book, Liz’s spectrum of moods change as fluidly as the sea and have a deep impact on the outcome of events in the book.

This pattern has been tech edited by buzzandfuzz and tested by these wonderfully talented knitters:
Mirdiz, ColoradoKnits, ansteda, rcpeters, snowywolf, beautyinthedawn, dtacker, YarnIndulgences, ecailin, Elizabeth11.

Take a look at their wonderful projects to get inspired to make your own Spectrum.