Product Description
The bust of Nefertiti is another of those widely recognisable images suitable for use as an illusion knit.
It has been designed to be viewed from the side so it is intended to be used as a wall hanging or as the centre for a bedspread or throw. The design measures approximately 29” by 40” (74 cm by 100 cm) when knitted fairly tightly using double knitting yarn and 3 mm needles. It could be knitted in any thickness of yarn. When you look at the knitting from in front you only see narrow stripes.
The pattern includes several versios of the chart, including one for mobile devices.
My original Nefertiti was bought by Ripley's Believe It Or Not!
Steve Plummer & Pat Ashforth - Woolly Thoughts
Nefertiti Illusion Knitting Wall-Hanging
What is Being Made
The Nefertiti Illusion is a decorative knitting wall-hanging designed by Steve Plummer and Pat Ashforth of Woolly Thoughts. This project creates an optical illusion based on the famous 3300-year-old painted limestone bust of Nefertiti, the wife of Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten. The original artifact was discovered in Amarna, Egypt, in 1912, and is currently housed in the Neues Museum in Berlin. The knitted wall-hanging translates this iconic historical sculpture into a two-color knitted textile art piece suitable for display.
Knitting Techniques and Stitches
Illusion Knitting: This project employs illusion knitting techniques, a specialized method that creates optical illusions through strategic color changes and stitch placement. The illusion effect relies on the interplay between two contrasting yarn colors to produce the visual representation of Nefertiti's profile and features when viewed from the intended angle.
Tension Considerations: The pattern recommends working with a tighter gauge than typical for the chosen yarn weight. This tight tension enhances the clarity and definition of the illusion effect. For wall-hangings, you may knit as tightly as desired. However, if adapting this panel for use in an afghan or blanket, a slightly softer tension may be preferred for improved drape and comfort.
Yarn Requirements and Materials
The Nefertiti Illusion wall-hanging requires two contrasting yarn colors. The designer used Emperor and Saffron for the featured project. Approximately 600 metres (660 yards) of each color is needed for the main wall-hanging, with additional yarn required for the border.
The wall-hanging shown in the pattern photos was created using Double Knitting (DK) yarn, which is a 4-ply yarn weight. However, the pattern notes that this project could be made in alternative yarn weights, including sport weight, 6-ply, or other 4-ply options, though yarn weight changes will affect the overall finished size of the piece.
Needles and Equipment
To accommodate the stitch count and achieve the recommended tight tension, smaller needles than typically used for your chosen yarn weight are recommended. The pattern requires holding 210 stitches, making a circular needle the practical choice for this project, even though the work is knitted flat rather than in the round.
Finished Dimensions
The completed wall-hanging has a width of 74 units (likely centimeters or inches, depending on the full pattern specifications).
Difficulty Level
This project is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to explore more advanced techniques like illusion knitting.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Fingering, 6 Ply, DK | Light Worsted, Sport |
| Pages: | 0 |
| Designer: | Steve Plummer - Woolly Thoughts |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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