Chagall's Windows Sock Knitting Pattern: A Colorful Homage to Marc Chagall's Artistic Legacy

Chagall's Windows

By Heatherly Walker

Materials

FlockSock (75% superwash merino, 25% nylon; 400yds per skein) 1 skein each in MC- Muse and CC-Badger Black (1/2 Skeins used for size 8) 1 set US #2 / 2.75mm double pointed needles, or size needed to obtain gauge Yarnneedle 32 sts and 35 rounds = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette COLORWORK Measurements Circumference 8.5 ( 9.5)"

Required Skills

Knitting in the round Increases/decreases Slipped Stitches Cabling (2colours) Long Tail Cast On Stranded colorwork techniques Knowledge of basic sock construction Kitchener stitch (grafting) "Marc Chagall (French; b. Byelorussia, present-day Belarus, 1887-1985) first conceived of the idea for the America Windows in 1974 when he visited Chicago. Chagall announced that the theme for the windows would be the American Bicentennial, and, when he learned of Mayor Richard J. Daley's death in 1976, he decided that the windows would also serve as a memorial to thelate mayor. Chagall designed the America Windows expressly for the Art Institute and created them in collaboration with the French stained-glass artist Charles Marq. Marq fabricated 36 colored glass panels to Chagal's specifications, and Chagall himself painted his design onto the glass using metallic oxide paints that were permanently fused to the glass through a subsequent heating process. The windows, each made up of three parts, each with 12 separate sections. Chagall infused his landscape of familiar American icons, references to Chicago, and symbols of the fine arts with an ethereality that suggests the creative expansiveness made possible by American freedom and liberty."- Chagall's America Windows AIC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcBmxJfbngA the story http://youtu.be/Bz2mioCp-M0 This August, I brought my eldest daughter to Chicago, to move into her college dorm. We finished all the business stuff and set out to enjoy some of the sites. We were able to spend an afternoon at the Art Institute, and I saw her face light up in each room as a new Master's work was revealed, one by one. Names that she new on paper, became objects in front of her own eyes. The weight of their glory filling her, she suddenly was no longer a small child looking at pretty pictures, but a woman staring at infinite treasure on canvas. We were blessed to be able to bask in the blue light cast from Chagall's America windows, the blue that IS in its essence, Chagall.

Clue 1

Replicating Chagall's blue tones is nearly impossible, but Jennifer comes really close with her Muse colourway. Using a yarn that has vibrant colour changes is recommended, Long colour sections and stripes will alter the look of the sock, but will still work fine. The second skein should be a stark contrast to the first and not contain a "matching colour" so it pops more than blends with the other skein and be solid. SWATCH your two colours in a ring of 16 sts.

Pattern Notes

LWAYS TEST HIGH CONTRAST COLOURS, ESPECIALLY RED, FOR COLOURFASTNESS. TIP: When working in the round and switching colours, the struggle to eliminate the “jogline" is something knitters fight with. This is a method I have found very useful, thanks to Meg Swansen. Knit according to the chart to the last stitch. IF the last stitch of the round is the same colour as the newly to be made stitch, work it same as the others. If the new colour is a different colour from the last, lift the stitch below the current stitch (last stitch of round) onto the needle and knit thru both stitches with the new colour. This will only work when the new stitch is a different colour from the old stitch, if you do it with every stitch it creates a new jog line. Keep tension loose and even as you begin working with two colors. Space out the stitches rather than scrunch them together on the needles. When working with two colors, you need to wrap the yarns around each other every 4-5 stitches to keep from getting long floats.

Cuff

Half Circle Shawl Written Instructions: We willbe working a variation of corrugated ribbing using 2 colours. Although working a K2, P2 rib, the solid colour will carry into the knit columns rather than just stay in the purl columns. Complete the following chart.

Top: HY Muse with HY Badger Black Bottom: HY Muse with Cascade Heritage Sock Black

Corrugated ribbing Written Directions- CC- Black/Solid and MC-Blue

Rnd 1-2 : [k2MC, p2CC] repeat around. Rnd 3 : [k1CC ,k1MC, p2CC, k1MC, k1CC] repeat around, ending p2CC. Rnd 4 : [k1MC ,k1CC, p2CC, k1CC, k1MC] repeat around, ending p2CC. Repeat rounds 1-4 once more and 1-2 once OR until cuff is 1.5" 10 rounds from Cast on. Medium Only: With CC knit 2 rounds plain. Large Only: k1 round plain, On next row evenly decrease 4 sts as you knit. 80 sts remain. Heatherly Walker, YarnYenta Designs. You have purchased the right to print and use this pattern only for your own personal non-commercial use. Without the express permission of Heatherly Walker, YarnYenta,oumay not distribute or sellelectronic or paper copies of this pattern, or anyiems produced using the directions in this patternYu maynot translat or distribute this pattern in another language, reproduce it and post it on a website. By downloading this pattern you are agreeing to these terms. I cannot offer refunds for purchases. Please ask questions about techniques before you buy a pattern. Check the atribute tags provided on Ravelry. If there is a technique you are unfamiliar with or afraid of, please feel free to ask about it. If you know someone who would like a copy of this pattern, please direct them to YarnYenta.com. All other questions and inquiries can be made to yarnyenta@yahoo.com.

Clue 2

Chagal's America Windows are created in a completely unique fashion. Instead of just cutting and piecing like mosaic tiles, paints and washes of solvents are added to the glass, creating new places to block light or allow it to flow through. Slipped stitches add texture and pull the other stitches around them. Keep your tension a bit loose as you work the charts. The double yarn overs will be slipped up the sock and cabled, so you do not want these done tightly. Wrap the yarn around the body of the needle rather than just the tapered tip. Rounds 2 & 10 are worked only in CC, 3-6 & 11-14 are worked only in MC. Work chart rounds 1-17 for appropriate size a total of 2 times, then 1-9 once. (Unblocked 1 repeat is about 2inches long.) Carry yarn not in use up the rounds as you go.

Medium

Large

Clue 3

The last couple weeks have been chaos. The hostages and murders in France, that tragedy brought together 44 World leaders & 3.7 million people to stand together against terrorism. The March was an amazing historical event to witness. France and Chagall go hand in hand. The glass itself was created thru the partnership of Marc Chagall and Frenchman Charles Marq. Our ankle band is inspired by Chagall's stain glass in the Reims Cathedral. The curves and swirls in Chagall's work are striking against the solid cubism and abstract structures are a blend of linguistic symbols, abrupt metaphors and poetic meaning. (Chagall By Ingo F. Walther, Rainer Metzger) The March in Paris was just such a chaotic mix of peoples, cultures, linguistics, and religions, blending together to make something beautiful.

Ankle Band

With CC (Black) Purl 1 round, Knit 2 rounds This next section will be more like traditional stranded colour work. You may need to go up a needle size. SAME CHART FOR BOTH SIZES. Work Rnds 1-3 once. Med repeat 9 times, Large repeat 10 times around leg.

HEEL FLAP

linen stitch in 2 colours Worked over 36 (40) sts. Longer heel flap compensates for the dense fabric characteristics. Feel free to do fewer rows or more to fit your own heel depth. Starting with Row 1, work the following 4 rows to desired length. Row 1 (right side):With MC Sl1 , [Knit 1, slip 1 with yarn in front], repeat across row, end k1. Row 2 (wrong side): With MC Sl1, [Purl 1, slip 1 with yarn in back] across row, end p1. Row 3 (right side): With CC Sl1 , [Knit 1, slip 1 with yarn in front], repeat across row, end k1. Row 4 (wrong side): With CC Sl1, [Purl 1, slip 1 with yarn in back] across row, end p1. Repeat rows 1-4 until you have 20 (24) slip sts along the side (or as you adjusted) TURN HEEL UsingMC Row 1 [RS]: Sl 1, k20 (22), ssk, k1. Turn work. Row 2 [WS]: Sl 1, p7, p2tog, p1. Turn work. Row 3 [RS]: Sl 1, k8, ssk, k1. Turn work Continue in this fashion, slipping the first stitch, working to one stitch before the gap, working 2 sts together over the gap, then k1 [or p1] omitting the k1(p1) on the last rows. Knit Across heel stitches if necessary, so you are ready for the gusset.

@ Heatherly Walker, YarnYenta Designs.

Clue 4

Break CC leaving tail, it will be reattached at the center of the sole chart -st 29 (36.

GUSSET

Set-Up Round: With MC (blue) Pick up and k 20 (24) sts (1 st in each slipped st, if you added rows you will need to pick up more) along adjacent edge of heel flap; knit all sts on instep, inc 1 st, 37 [41] sts on instep ; pick up and k 20 (24) sts (1 st in each slipped st) along remaining edge of heel flap, k to center of heel. This point (center of heel) will now be beginning of round, PM. Round 1: K sts on sole/gussets according to Sole and Gusset Chart. K all sts on Instep according to Foot Chart for appropriate size, knit to centerofheel. Round 2: K to last 3 sts on Sole/Gusset, k2tog, k1; work sts on Instep according to pattern; k1, ssk, k to end of round. Repeat these 2 rounds until 73 (85) total sts remain. Knit to center of Heel sts (end of round).

Foot

Work Foot on Instep sts and Sole Chart on the sole sts until sock measures 2.5" the length of the intended foot. Break MC .

Toe

With CC, knit 1 round. Knit to last 3 sts of sole sts, k2tog,k1, Instep: k1, ssk knit across sts until last 3 sts of instep sts, k2tog, k1 Sole: k1, ssk knit across sts until end of round. Work one plain row, one decrease row until 18 sts remain (9 instep sts, 9 sole sts) Kitchener or use 3 needle BO to graft toe closed. Weave in ends. Make second sock same as first sock.

CHARTS

Foot worked over 37 [41] sts

Medium

Large

Sole and Gusset Chart

Medium

Sole Chart AFTER GUSSET DECREASES worked over 36 [40] sts (Same Chart for both sizes) Omit row 1 on first repeat after gusset is completed.

Heatherly Walker, YarnYenta Designs. You have purchased the right to print and use this pattern only for your own personal non-commercial use. Without the express permission of Heatherly Walker, YarnYenta, You may not distribute or sellelectronic or paper copies of this pattern, or any items produced using the directions in this pattern. You may not translate or distribute this pattern in another language, reproduce it and post it on a website.By downloading this pattern you are agreeing to these terms. I cannot offer refunds for purchases. Please ask questions about techniques before you buy a pattern. Check the attribute tags provided on Ravelry. If there is a technique you are unfamiliar with or afraid of, please feel free to ask about it. If you know someone who would like a copy of this pattern, please direct them to YarnYenta.com. All other questions and inquiries can be made to yarnyenta@yahoo.com. Alternate Gusset charts for those who added rows to the heel flap 58 sts total - Gussets and Heel sts For Medium Size (32 on sole)