DESCRIPTION:
The Tintype Blanket is a large throw or wrap composed of a series of elongated hexagonal shapes that are intentionally positioned off-center as viewed vertically. The location of them from left to right is also framed in an asymmetric manner. This style of composition stems from my love of Japanese design aesthetics. The resulting work is both modern and timeless. This design is part of my Tintype Collection, a series of designs that continues my work in the field of short-row pattern motifs. This body of work highlights the way color changing and gradient yarns move throughout a design.

INSPIRATION:
This collection was inspired by a minimalist, architectural wall, fabricated with a series of vertically stacked, elongated, hexagonal cut-outs that serve to frame the landscape. The design (https://www.nadaaa.com/portfolio/newton-house/) is the work of architect, Nader Tehrani, from his portfolio entry entitled, “Newton House”, and located in a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts. When I first saw this design, I immediately fell in love with its use of asymmetry, the subtle tone variations inherent in the natural wood, and the way the cut-outs create a unique window into the space beyond.

Tintype: also known as a melanotype or ferrotype, is a photograph made by creating a direct positive on a thin sheet of metal, colloquially called ‘tin’ though not actually tin-coated, coated with a dark lacquer or enamel and used as the support for the photographic emulsion. It was introduced in 1853 by Adolphe Alexandre Martin in Paris. The name for this collection stems from the way the design is knit. Garter stitch rows are used to create the slat styled ‘walls’. The ‘windows’ are short-row shapes made using stockinette stitch and the double stitch turn technique. With the garter stitch rows visually rising up above the areas of stockinette, the short-row shapes appear to visually fall behind the garment or beyond the space of the main body of the work. I see these ‘windows’ as a way of looking through time into the past, like an old photograph. Memories are hidden within the mystery of the shifting colors as the work takes shape, each ‘window’ focusing our attention on the moment at hand.

TECHNIQUES:
Techniques used in this design are garter and stockinette stitch involving both knitting and purling as well as the double stitch technique of forming short row shapes. A continuous i-cord edge is used to frame the work.

DIAGRAMS:
This pattern comes with written instruction along with a detailed vector diagram for both color placement and knitting order progression.

SIZE:
Width: 122cm/48”
Height: 214cm/84”

YARN + YARDAGE:
Skacel Collection, Highland Lux by Hikoo
https://www.skacelknitting.com/highlandlux
MC: 2660m/2908yds (11 balls)

Available from Maker’s Mercantile: https://www.makersmercantile.com/shop/Yarn/Browse-By-Bran...

Schoppel-Wolle, Zauberwolle
https://www.skacelknitting.com/zauberwolle
CC: 500m/546yds (2 balls)

Available through Maker’s Mercantile: https://www.makersmercantile.com/shop/Yarn/Browse-By-Bran...

It is with a huge amount of appreciation and respect that I thank everyone at Skacel Knitting for supporting this project. Without their yarn support, this design may have never been realized. And thank you specifically to Louisa Demmitt for really believing in my work and reaching out to make these dreams possible. I am also deeply grateful to my sample knitter, Cindy Tangney, an extremely accomplished knitter, who worked tirelessly over several months to complete this design. Knitting a blanket is a huge ask, and hours of knitting garter stitch can become tiresome, but she approached the project with grace and persistence to create a truly warm and comforting blanket. Thank you!