Mini Phoenix

Mini Phoenix by Tania Richter

What is Being Made

Mini Phoenix is a small triangular knitted wall hanging designed by Tania Richter. This decorative piece features a phoenix motif inspired by the Rise from the Ashes shawl design. The finished wall hanging measures 19 inches in length and 7.5 inches in height, making it an ideal accent piece for displaying on walls or in decorative spaces.

Knitting Techniques Used

This project employs double-knitting as its primary technique. Double-knitting is a specialized method that creates a reversible fabric by working with two colors simultaneously. The technique involves a specific rhythm of alternating knit and purl stitches that are worked with two yarn strands held behind the project. This method produces a dense, two-sided fabric where each square on the chart represents two stitches: one knit stitch followed by one purl stitch. The pattern maintains a consistent structure where a knit stitch with the main color is always followed by a purl stitch with the contrasting color, creating the intricate phoenix design through colorwork.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (worked with main color)
• Purl stitch (worked with contrasting color)
• Stockinette stitch (gauge measurement basis)

Materials Required

Yarn: Approximately 120 to 150 yards of DK weight yarn total, divided between two colors. The main color requires 60 to 75 yards, and the contrasting color requires 60 to 75 yards. The sample was knitted in Malabrigo Silky Merino, a luxurious yarn choice that provides excellent stitch definition for colorwork projects.

Needles: US size 3 (3.25 mm) circular needles in either 16-inch or 24-inch length, or the size needed to obtain the correct gauge. Circular needles are used despite the small project size to accommodate the double-knitting technique.

Gauge: 18 stitches and 26 rows equal 10 centimeters (4 inches) when measured in stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements of 19 inches by 7.5 inches.