I was sent a link to this reflective yarn by a friend and it was one of those yarns that exited and inspired me as soon as I saw it. It was perfect for something you can wear at night as it sparkles when light hits it. It also needed to be an item that isn’t worn too close to the skin, as the yarns is a bit scratchy with the reflective fibre in it. I decided to make a large shawl to wear over a coat that can be pulled up over the head if it gets cold or starts to rain.

To create the design I alternated stripes and colours to make a geometric shape combining two different yarns.

• Rowan Valley Tweed (https://knitrowan.com/en/products/valley-tweed)

• Hobbi Starlight (https://hobbii.co.uk/hobbii-starlight)

To create the shape it is basic increasing and decreasing while changing colour thread to make a giant triangular shawl.

As it was a great project I wanted to share the method, which can be used with any type and colour of yarn. The knitting pattern can be viewed and downloaded from below with links to the fibres I used.

(I also did a mini photoshoot so yes that is my face in the pattern photos)

I love to talk all things knitting so if you have any feedback on this pattern, patterns to share or tips and interesting methods please get in touch - info@amberjames.co.uk

February 2021

Did anyone notice that this month is a ‘perfect month’ !?

It begins on a Monday and ends on a Sunday in 4 beautifully balanced weeks. When you turn your calendar to February this month you will see a symmetrical rectangular block of 28 days.

If you have ever had to design a calendar, or draw out a month plan, you can understand the simple joy of having it all laid out neatly.

All the nerds and OCD minds out there just gave a collective sigh.

Heres my ‘perfect month’ to share with you, may all your goals be accomplished and all to-do’s written off the list.

Herbert W. Franke is an early computer artist creating computer graphics and early digital art since the late 1950s.

Mondrian (1979)

“An interactively controlled, dynamic program, developed by Herbert W. Franke in 1979 for the TI 99/4 from Texas Instruments. In addition to the interactive mode, an automatic endless run was possible, in which the sounds as well as the shapes and the colors ran according to special algorithms, added by a random generator. The original computer and the software module is donated to "Zentrum für Kunst und Medien ZKM" in Karlsruhe.”

An excellent short animation all about typefaces - fellow graphic design nerds will love this.