Bet this would look great with glow-in-the-dark yarn:
Alien illusion scarf
By Shetha Nolke.
She says: 'Illusion knitting was brought to my attention through an online knitting community. Most illusion patterns - typically hidden hearts or secret x's or o's - were a bit too cutesy for knitters out there today. Once I figured out how it worked, I realised that any knitter who knows the technique can create his or her own illusion design. 'As proof of this, I created the alien illusion motif. Now you see him, now you don't!
The illusion is the result of two things: knitting texture and positive/negative space images. The texture is created by combining knit (flat) with purl (raised) stitches. In order to create the texture it's necessary to knit at a fairly tight tension, but not so tight as to affect the drape of the fabric. Illusion motifs are done with two colours: the positive image colour (green in this case) and the negative, or background colour (black in this case). The image is then created in 'slices', and each slice consists of four rows: two knit in the negative colour, and two in the positive colour. Within these rows, the stitches that make up the image are made with purl stitches. When the scarf is viewed from an angle, only the raised stitches are seen, and the image emerges. Spooky!'
Size: Approx 7" x 86", including fringe.
Materials: Brown Sheep Company Nature Spun Worsted (100% wool; 100g/245 yards).
MC: 1 skein #601 Pepper.
CC: 1 skein #109 Spring Green.
Both approximate to any DK yarn.
US 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles, or size needed to obtain tension.
Crochet hook for attaching fringe.
Tension: 22 sts and 30 rows = 4" in stocking stitch.
Because there are only two rows worked in each colour, the colours can be carried up the side of the scarf. It's important not to pull these stitches too tightly or that edge of the scarf may be shorter than the opposite edge.
Directions : With MC, cast on 40 sts. Follow chart (which can be found
here) beginning with row 1 (right side). Repeat rows 1-80 5 times more for a total of 6 alien motifs. Cast off loosely in CC.
Finishing Cut 33 strands of yarn in each colour approx 16" in length. To create fringes, gather 3 strands of yarn, fold in half, and pull loop end through the casting on row using a crochet hook. Thread the cut ends through the loop end and pull tightly. Repeat across casting on edge in alternating colours. Repeat with cast on edge.
· The patterns are taken from Stitch 'N Bitch Handbook by Debbie Stoller, published by Workman Publishing. To order a copy for £9.99 with free UK p&p, call the Guardian Book Service on 0870 836 0875 or visit
http://guardian.co.uk/bookshop
