On December 21, 2020, the Winter solstice, Jupiter and Saturn will come within 0.1 degrees of one another, forming the cyclical, 20 year, great conjunction. When these planets are aligned we can expect the end of one era and the birth of another, the intensification of old forms dying as new growth and fertility replaces them.

This two-color brioche, reversible yoke speaks to the transition from a very dark winter to the growth and rebirth of spring. Its reversible nature allows the knitter to choose two opposing color stories and wear the yoke however fits the season. Its high neck can be rolled down for a cooler wear or kept high for those blustery winter days.

Yardage
Total: 450(480,520) yds
MC: 225(240,260) yds
CC: 225(240,260) yds

Sizes
1(2,3) small(medium, large)

Dimensions
Circumference of bottom edge: 46(50,54) inches, 64.5(70,75.5) inches stretched (measured around upper chest, just below shoulder tip)
Circumference of neck: 20(22,24) inches, 31(34,37) inches, stretched (measured around head at nose point for minimum width of neck)
Top of neck to bottom edge: 11(11,11) inches

Materials
Suggested Needles
1 US #5 (3.75 mm) circular, 16”
1 US #5 (3.75 mm) circular, 40”
1 US #6 (4.0mm) double pointed needle or other single needle (For I-cord bind off)
(Or needles to obtain desired gauge)

Notions
1 removable stitch marker for beginning of round, 1 removable stitch marker for centered decreases
1 tapestry needle

Gauge
Unblocked
16 stitches and 26 rows per 4” x 4” square, un-stretched
Blocked
14 stitches and 26 rows per 4” by 4” square, un-stretched

Yarn
2 x 100g+ skeins each of DK weight yarn (Yard/Mass Ratio similar to 245yds/100g), in high contrast opposing colors, darker color for MC and lighter color for CC. Or 1 skein solid DK for MC and a gathering of 100g of scraps or mini set skeins for CC. (For sizes 1 and 2, for size 3, you will need a little extra than 1 skein of each, see Yardage)

Sample shown, size 2, in MC, a light DK weight natural colored carbonara alpaca, and CC, Hue Loco 2020 Fall Palette, Merino DK mini set, using mostly the brighter colored minis, and fading in a new color as each mini ran out.

To work a fade with mini skeins or a selection of scraps, work 2-5 alternating rows when changing colors, making sure to keep your colors in order when switching at the beginning of the round, so as not to disrupt the brioche stitch with crossed yarns. Keep in mind the number of stitches increases dramatically after the neck, so you will need more yarn per row to do a fade, but the number of rows and frequency of color transition is up to you!