the chance collection

chance (accident, random, haphazard: call it as you like) plays an important role in every life – at least in mine! - so here’s an attempt to translate this concept into knitting: a group of patterns that are dedicated to eagerly curious knitters who, like me, get bored easily and know that knitting is not just made of needles and yarn. therefore chance, in various ways, is used to relieve knitting from the contingency of the pattern’s detailed directions, transforming these pieces in random (and rather subversive) acts of knitting.

beyond basic instructions for fully customizable outcomes, each of these patterns is accompanied by some inspiration from movies, art, books and music to watch, read and listen to along the way - if you happen to knit one of them you’re invited to publish your project on Ravelry adding also your personal sources of inspiration!

note: the patterns of this collection are not based on conventional line-by-line instruction, thus for a satisfactory knitting experience it is essential to carefully read all the instructions in order to fully understand the whole process prior to start knitting.


le onde del destino

although the waves are not at all accidental this pattern tries to compare the rigorous and mathematical relationships of the curves that compose them to a random flow, as if knitting could (and sometimes can) subvert the rules of physics.
all that applied to a piece that, given the possibility to choose the direction of knitting and to freely combine the basic elements (including a very easy technique for the tucks - used here as waves crest but showcased also in the spits&pearls pattern) can easily become a cowl or a scarf or a stole; the pattern contains the general directions for two different cowls, but each knitter will be able to define a unique result, producing a very personal flow of knitting consciousness.

title:
“Le onde del destino” is the italian title for “Breaking the waves”, the beautiful and intense Lars von Trier’s movie which deeply inspired this piece.

yarn:
fingering or light DK with a good drape.
from light fingering to DK, any yarn with a good drape.

used for the sideways cowl:
Old Maiden Aunt Merino/Bamboo 4ply - 80% Merino - 20% Bamboo - 100g = 366m/400yds in shade Moody (95gr total)

used for the circular cowl:
Lana D’Abruzzo Sabbia d’Abruzzo 4ply - 100% Wool - 100g = 400m/437yds - self dyed in shade Com’è profondo il mare (90 gr total) worked together with a thread of wool-mohair lace in matching shade (25gr total)

needles:
straight or circulars needles in a size that, according to the chosen yarn, gives a fabric with a good drape (straight 4mm/US6 for the merino/bamboo version, circular 5mm/US8 for the wool sample)

gauge:
not crucial but it needs to be checked if you want to decide the final dimensions

size:
fully customizable

skill level:
intermediate / patient / seasickness free