Working a bit backwards, going from my square-kufic patterned hats to this one which is generic stripes. I’m really enamored of this way of working stranded colorwork with two strands of yarn that act as a backdrop as it were for an eventual pattern. I see resonances with what is referred to as Armenian knitting, as well as twined (or two-end) knitting.

What I wanted to work with was something that was a natural fiber, cheap(er), and quick to knit up. I started playing with Léttlopi which has its own unique characteristics, depending on gauge. Here I’ve gone up to a 5.5 mm (US 9) needle which produces a really lovely and drape-y fabric; yet very sturdy and quite warm besides.

My other goal was to set up a pattern with three repeat sections, of 16, 18, and 20 stitches. Repeating sections from, say, 4 to 6 gives a range of 64 to 120 stitches. The pattern can be knit up “plain” as just stripes, but it also allows for any stranded colorwork pattern to be used. In one sample I am working on, I am using the 8x8–stitch motif from my kufiyyeh patterns; in another a traditional Palestinian motif from the embroidery realm; and in another, a pattern from the book Alterknit Stitch Dictionary by andreakr.