Illusion Shapes Blanket

Illusion Shapes Blanket by Steve Plummer and Pat Ashforth

What is Being Made

The Illusion Shapes Blanket is a knitted throw designed by Steve Plummer and Pat Ashforth of Woolly Thoughts. This blanket features 12 different illusion shapes arranged in blocks, where optical illusions are created through strategic color placement and knitting techniques. Each block is uniform in size, offering flexible design options for customization. Crafters can choose to repeat a single illusion shape throughout the entire blanket, create a multi-shape design using all 12 patterns, or work with a unified color palette while varying the shapes. The modular block construction makes this project adaptable to personal preferences and creative vision.

Techniques Used

The primary technique employed in this blanket is illusion knitting, a method that creates optical effects through the strategic use of contrasting colors and stitch placement. The illusion effect relies on the visual contrast between a background color and a contrast color to form recognizable shapes that appear to shift or create depth when viewed. To achieve the best illusion effect, the blanket requires tighter tension than standard knitting. Knitters are advised to use needles one size smaller than their usual preference to create this denser fabric, while maintaining enough flexibility to keep the blanket soft and cuddly rather than stiff. The blanket is constructed from individual blocks that are subsequently joined together with strips and bordered to complete the finished piece.

Stitches Used

While specific stitch names are not detailed in the pattern excerpt provided, the illusion shapes are created through fundamental knitting stitches worked in two contrasting colors. The color work is integral to forming the optical illusions, with each block combining a background DK yarn with a contrast DK yarn to produce the visual effects.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

This blanket is worked in DK weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn that provides excellent stitch definition for displaying the illusion effects. Each individual block requires approximately 30 metres (33 yards) of contrast DK yarn and 30 metres (33 yards) of background DK yarn. Additional yarn is needed for joining the blocks together with strips and for the border, with the total amount varying based on the desired width of the strips and border. The pattern is adaptable to different yarn weights: using a thicker yarn will produce larger blocks, while thinner yarn will create smaller blocks. Any yarn type can be substituted, though the yardage requirements may vary accordingly.

Needles should be one size smaller than the knitter's normal needle size to achieve the tight tension necessary for optimal illusion effects. The smaller needle size creates a denser fabric that enhances the visual impact of the color contrasts without sacrificing the softness and drape essential to a comfortable blanket.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic techniques. The illusion knitting method and color work require attention to detail and understanding of how tension affects the final appearance, though the fundamental skills needed are within reach of intermediate-level crafters.