Knit and Math Combine for a Cool (Warm?) Kickstarter

The other day my husband sent me a link about this Kickstarter that’s happening right now in which a knitter/mathematician is knitting custom algorithm-based scarves, all worked in black and white, and designed in such a way that no two will be alike.

Called KnitYak even though the scarves will be merino, the project is the brainchild of Fabienne “fbz” Serriere, who is a hand knitter but will use some of the funds raised to buy a knitting machine to produce the final scarves (and swatches for those who don’t want to pony up $150 or more) and shawls.

The scarves will be made using elementary cellular automata algorithms, which use simple rules to determine what color a stitch will be, and each row is affected by the row above. I don’t completely understand the explanation, but I get that using these different algorithms, and starting the scarf off in different places in the pattern, will make a bunch of different looking scarves. It’s a cool idea would make a great gift for the math geek in your life.

[Photo via Kickstarter.]

Next Pattern:

One of the hardest things about winter for me is the lack of color. It’s like the whole world ran out of toner, and often our clothes reflect the muted landscape outside, which just makes everything more drab.

This year I’m trying to use and wear all the fun colors of yarn I have in my stash, and I think the Minas Sweater from Cecilia Lalanne & Gabriella Calderini for Manos del Uruguay would be a great way to use a lot of colorful yarn on a sweet sweater.

This cropped sweater uses 1×1 stranded colorwork where the colors change as you work the pattern, which makes it look more complex than it is. The project calls for five colors of worsted weight yarn, but you could probably even use more (or use a multicolored yarn as one or some of your options) to bring even more color to the party.

It’s a simple drop shoulder crewneck with straight sleeves, so pretty much all you have to focus on is changing your colors when you need to.

There are seven size options in the pattern, ranging from a bust circumference (on the sweater, not the wearer) from 42.75 to 69.25 inches, or 108.5 to 176 cm. It’s intended to be worn with around 8 inches or 20 cm of positive ease for a casual, oversized look.

You can go bold with the color choices like the sample shown here, or pick a couple of more neutral colors to combine with some brighter shades if that’s more your style. Either way this project should be as easy to knit as it is fun to wear. And of course those bright colors make me think a teenager in your life might love it, but of course there’s no rule that says you have to stop wearing fun colors at a certain age. Thank goodness.

The pattern is free to download from Ravelry and is available in both English and Spanish.

[Photo: Cecilia Lalanne & Gabriella Calderini]

Next Pattern:

Have you read?

Leave a Reply