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Looking for a face that is easily recognisable and shows interesting character is not always as simple as you would think it should be. I think that I have found such a subject though in Albert Einstein.

The illusion is knitted from the side, is approximately square, measuring about 66 cm (26 inches) along each side so is intended to be used as a wall hanging or as the centre of a bed cover.

I used Stylecraft Special DK yarn in Dark Brown and Lemon (2 balls of each) and 3 mm needles to give a firm fabric in my tight knitting. Larger needles, thicker yarn or less tension would give a completed piece larger than that stated. Illusions work in any weight of yarn.

The pattern includes several versions of the charts including one intended for mobile devices but others may also find helpful. You can view 20 ridges at a time and always be able to see the numbers across the bottom of the chart.

We have made several versions of Einstein over the years. The first went on long-term loan to Puzzling World, Wanaka, New Zealand, where it was photographed by Ben Ashforth (Benguin) in November 2013. It is still there. It is interesting that it became baggy at the bottom where everybody touches it. Because it is made from acrylic yarn it can be washed and pushed back into shape.

The bottom image is an animation.