Tutankhamun Illusion

Tutankhamun Illusion Knitting Wall-Hanging

Project Overview

The Tutankhamun Illusion is a decorative wall-hanging designed by Steve Plummer and Pat Ashforth from Woolly Thoughts. This intermediate-level knitting project uses illusion knitting techniques to create a striking visual effect that reveals an image of Tutankhamun when viewed from the correct angle. The finished piece measures approximately 88 cm x 65 cm (35" x 26"), making it a substantial decorative accent suitable for display in any room.

Craft and Technique

This project employs illusion knitting, a specialized technique that creates hidden images within knitted fabric. The illusion effect works by strategically alternating knit and purl stitches in specific patterns that, when viewed from a particular perspective, reveal a concealed design. The technique relies on the way light and shadow play across the textured surface of the knitted fabric to make the image appear and disappear depending on the viewing angle.

The design is worked from a detailed chart containing 210 stitches across 151 ridges. Rather than traditional rows, this project is constructed using ridges, which is characteristic of illusion knitting methods. The chart includes three color representations, though only two yarn colors are actually used in the finished piece. On the chart, white represents purl stitches, while the two yarn colors represent knit stitches and their positioning creates the illusion effect.

Stitches and Construction

• Knit stitches - form the primary fabric structure and contribute to the visual illusion
• Purl stitches - indicated by white on the chart, these stitches create the textural contrast necessary for the illusion effect
• Ridge construction - the project uses 151 ridges rather than traditional rows, which is essential to achieving the illusion knitting technique

Yarn and Materials

The Tutankhamun Illusion is designed to be worked in DK (Double Knitting) weight yarn. The version shown in the pattern was created using approximately 550 metres (600 yards) of yarn in each of two colors. The designer chose purple and gold for the original, creating a rich, regal color combination befitting the Egyptian theme.

The pattern is flexible regarding yarn weight. Using thicker yarn will produce a larger finished piece, while thinner yarn will create a smaller version. This adaptability allows makers to customize the wall-hanging size to suit their space and yarn preferences.

For needles, the pattern recommends using the smallest needle size you can comfortably work with. This tighter gauge is essential for the illusion effect to work properly, as it creates the precise tension needed for the knit and purl stitches to produce the desired visual illusion when the piece is displayed.

Difficulty Level and Chart Resources

Rated as an intermediate difficulty project, the Tutankhamun Illusion requires solid foundational knitting skills and comfort working from charts. While the design may appear complicated at first glance, the downloadable PDF includes both a small-scale version of the complete chart for reference and a larger, easier-to-read version for working. The larger chart can be further enlarged on a computer if needed, making it accessible for knitters who prefer to work from bigger, clearer instructions.