Three of Swords by Dovanna Cleary

Three of Swords

Knitting
October 2017
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
US 2 - 2.75 mm
US 3 - 3.25 mm
US 7 - 4.5 mm
US 8 - 5.0 mm
300 - 400 yards (274 - 366 m)
One size
English
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There are four suits in a modern Tarot card deck: coins, cups, wands, and swords. Over the years people have assigned various attributes to suits, and further break them down by number. Swords, in tarot, are usually associated with logic, reason, and general issues dealing with the mind. More often than not, interpretations from this suit lean toward the pessimistic side of our nature. As you move through numbers 1-10, you are presented with some rather dire images. It’s not surprising that people would attach negativity to a sharp pointy object used in battle.

The three of swords is usually associated with heartbreak or some sort of mental trauma. In some older variations of this particular card, the three of swords has been shown with a head in place of a heart. Not exactly the happiest of imagery, but a project I wanted to take on for an upcoming art show with a dark theme.

Most of the iconic imagery we see in movies and TV shows incorporate cards such as Death, Strength, The Tower, etc. However, the three of swords, with its dramatic imagery is one of the more recognizable pip (number) cards.

Variations
The finished project using the materials below was able to fit into a 10” x 10” shadowbox with room to spare. If you would like a smaller or larger piece, adjust needle sizes and yarn accordingly. The basic layout I used for proportions is as follows:
Body: Smallest needles
Top: One size up from needles used on Body
Heart: About 7 or 8 sizes up from the Body
The Top is about 10% the height of the Body. The Heart is slightly taller than the Top.

Materials
• US 2 DPNs (4) or Circulars (2) - Body
• US 3 DPNs (4) or Circulars (2) – Top
• US 7 or 8 Straight (2) or Circulars (2) - Heart
• Shadowbox : Black Extra Deep Shadow Box 10” x 10” by Studio Décor
• LED Lights : LEDwholesalers 16.4 Feet (5 Meter) Flexible LED Light Strip with 300xSMD3528 and Adhesive Back, 12 Volt, Warm White 3100K, 2026WW-31K
• Plug for LED lights : HitLights 24 Watt (2 Amp) 12 Volt DC LED Light Strip Power Supply - UL-Listed, 110V AC to 12V DC Transformer
• Rectangular foam for shape
• Velcro to secure piece to shadowbox
• Vintage TOLEDO cocktail swords. You can get them from eBay for about $30 or less.
• Cable Needle
• Tapestry needle

Recommended Yarn
This would be the minimum length I would keep on hand for this project. It should be more than you would need.
Fingering weight: 140 yards (128.2 meters) in WHITE
Fingering weight: 112.5 yards (102.9 meters) in BLUE
Fingering weight: 112.5 yards (102.9 meters) in GREY
Aran weight: Minimal amount in RED
Spare yarn: used as stuffing for heart