Yin and Yang (sometimes known as Yin-Yang) is a very well-known symbol. It has many interpretations and is used to represent several different types of ‘opposites’, such as light and dark or male and female.

When you look directly at illusion knitting you see only narrow stripes. In this pattern some of the designs have the stripes running vertically, so you need to view them from the side to see the image. Some have the stripes running horizontally, to be viewed from above or below. There are 3 sizes and each size has both versions. The design has to be completely re-charted to give the alternative version - so there are six charts in total.

You might want to use just one chart, for a wall-hanging or cushion, or you can combine them in many ways to create a larger piece, such as an afghan. The sizes are 40, 60 and 80 stitches.

The examples shown in the photos were made from DK yarn in black and white. We do not usually recommend black and white for illusions because they create a very stark contrast which does not work well for designs where there is a lot of intermediate shading. The design is most often seen in black and white, and there is not a lot of shading so these colours work well. Blue and green are often used to represent land and sea. You could use any two contrasting colours.

The design works in any thickness of yarn so the amount needed will depend on the yarn you choose.

Using DK you will need the following approximate amounts for each panel:

• 40 stitches - 35 metres (40 yards) in each of two colours
• 60 stitches - 70 metres (80 yards) in each of two colours
• 80 stitches - 140 metres (150 yards) in each of two colours

The sizes are approximately:

• 40 stitches - 20 cm (8”) square
• 60 stitches - 30 cm (12”) square
• 80 stitches - 40 cm (16”) square