The triple moon is a well known symbol which represents three phases of the moon; a waxing crescent, a full moon and a waning crescent for the three aspects of the Goddess. I have used this symbol and charted it to make a continuous pattern that shows the dark new moon in between as a bookmark for my Herbal. It could equally be used as a belt or sash for your robes, a hair band, a scarf, a guitar strap or strap for a bag or a continuous border around the edge of a garment.
Size
Variable depending on gauge the bookmark is 24 sts wide x 140 rows long Shown here the bookmark measures: 34 cm $\times\,6.5$ cm (13.25 inches x 2.5 inches). This is suitable for a large sized encyclopaedia or reference book.
Gauge
Variable depending on needles and yarn. Shown here at 38 sts x 42 rows $=$ 10cm (4 inches). Make sure you swatch making part of the two colour motif as the colour work does alter the stitch gauge making it narrower (i.e. more stitches per cm/inch).
Materials
Yarns: Any. The finer the yarn gauge and smaller the needles, the smaller the project will be. Yarn shown here is Patons Cotton 4ply $100\%$ Cotton 100g 330m (361 yds) #712 Black 18g #692 Cream/Off White 15g. Needles: To suit yarns for a tight knit. Needles used here were $^{2}\,\mathsf{m m}$ (US1). Notions: 1 tapestry needle for weaving in ends and assembly. Optional: Fabric/Felt for backing (pattern allows for a knitted backing though).
Pattern Notes
For the top strip of the bookmark use the Charts and Fair Isle stranding to work both colours as shown in the charts and knit a flat piece 24 stitches wide. Keep stranding as loose as possible on the back because any tightening of the strands will distort the shape of the moons. A separate backing is made by knitting another Garter Stitch strip and sewing it to the back but you could use fabric or felt if you wished. If you want a much smaller bookmark for a paperback it would be a good idea to felt some fingering, otherwise you would need to find needles smaller than 2mm (US 1)
Top (Triple Moon Strip)
Using the black yarn and 2mm (US1) needles, CO 24 sts. K 5 rows of Garter Stitch (i.e. knit every row) slipping the $1^{\mathrm{st}}$ st of every row p-wise. Next Row (WS): S1l p-wise, K2, P18, K3, Start working from chart as follows using both black and off white yarns: RS: SI1 $\mathsf{p}$ -wise, K2, K18sts from chart as shown, K3 WS. Cl1 n-wice K2 D18ete from chart ac choun K2 Keep following the chart in this way until a total of 3 repeats (which is a 129 rows excluding the border, or as many as you want for your strip). Last row: Rs: Sl1 p-wise, K2, K18sts from chart as shown, K3 Cast off. Weave in all ends
Bottom (Backing)
Using the black yarn and 2mm (US1) needles, CO 24 sts. K in garter stitch, i.e. K every row, until work is a total of 140 rows to match Top. Cast off. Weave in end
Finishing
Pin the Top of bookmark to Bottom with wrong sides together and neatly sew together using tiny running stitches as close to the edge as possible making sure they are threaded between stitches invisibly.
Abbreviations (A - Z)
Beg: Beginning CC: Contrast Colour Cont: continue K: Knit MC: Main Colour P - Wise: Purl wise P: Purl Rem: remaining Rep: repeat RS: right side St st: stockinette (stocking stitch) St(s): stitch(es) WS: Wrong side
Charts
GoddessBookmark Chart
Goddess Motif
1 repeat $=18$ sts $\times43$ rows outlined in red
Work charts from right to left for RS rows and from left to right for wrong side rows. Follow all stitches within the red outline as shown for one repeat above right. Above left shows the pattern that forms if each motif is repeated. For more ideas, patterns, tutorials and ready made knitwear visit the Blog and Erssie Knits photo gallery at http://www.erssieknits.com, The Stitchin' Gallery shows a free chart every week inChart of theWeek. Or email Erssie: erssiemajor@yahoo.co.uk Find me on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com as Erssie
