Super Asymmetry by Mary Annarella

Super Asymmetry

Knitting
June 2018
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
22 stitches and 44 rows = 4 inches
in garter (BEFORE blocking), 20 sts & 40 rows AFTER blocking
US 5 - 3.75 mm
1500 yards (1372 m)
One size rectangle, approx 25” high x 74” long
English
This pattern is available for $7.99 USD buy it now

Asymmetric patterns emerging from symmetrical forces.
Kind of like Sheldon and Amy’s life together.

Super Asymmetry is a Big-Bang-Theory-themed shawl that’s way easier to knit than it looks! It’s constructed from knit triangles that are gradually joined to one another to form a rectangular shawl:

  • There is no huge cast on or epic bind off to worry about, and only a few inches worth of rows that span the length of the shawl! Just mitered knitting that creates a final, rectangular shape.
  • It features garter stitch, some textured stitches, and a bit of lace (both charted and written out).
  • A photo tutorial guides you along the interesting, fun (with flags?), intuitive construction.
  • It’s designed to show off 2 coordinated, six-skein gradient kits from Miss Babs Yarn, OR can also be worked from 4 skeins of Babs fingering weight yarn, so you can stash bust or Fade until Sheldon gets tired of hearing Soft Kitty when he’s sick.
  • You may substitute a Crown Wools kit from Miss Babs for the 2 gradient sets.

The title of the pattern is a nod to one of my favorite sitcoms—The Big Bang Theory. In the recent season 11 finale, a reference is made by the lead character of Sheldon to a novel theory of “Super Asymmetry” when he remarks on the beauty of a bowtie that isn’t perfectly symmetrical.

That feels right for this shawl with its asymmetric patterns (different sized peaks and valleys) emerging from symmetric forces (gradients and garter miters), and since I competed the design while watching that episode (Amy and Sheldon’s wedding), the name is perfect.

The pattern includes a photo tutorial, written and charted instructions for the bits of lace, and multiple BBT references throughout (sorrynotsorry) as one does when unraveling the mystery.

Materials:
1 gradient kit (containing 6, 133 yd mini-skeins) of Miss Babs Yummy 2-Ply in colorway 1; Shown in Sea Teal, and
1 gradient kit (containing 6, 133 yd mini-skeins) of Miss Babs Yummy 2-Ply in colorway 2; Shown in Beachcomber

or, for the 4 Skein Version:
1 skein each of 4 different colorways of Miss Babs Yummy 2-ply (400 yds/113 g); Shown in Leaves, Glory Days, Asterope, and Hide and Seek. You will need approx 350 yards of each of these 4 skeins.