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
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) 32 sts and 35 rounds = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette COLORWORK Measurements Circumference 8.5 ( 9.5)" "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. S TLST HIGH CONTRAST CULOURS, LSPLCIALLY RLD, FOR CULOURFAST 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
Using Long Tail Cast On method, cast on 72 [84] stitches with CC Black or solid colour. Being careful not to twist sts, join in the round. Keep tension even as you begin working with two colours. We will be 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 and 1-2 once more.until cuff is 1.5" 10rounds from Cast on. With CC knit 2 rounds plain. 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.
