August 2023 s&Z
|
This month we combine the basket weave with the diamond. These two motifs are combined in a variety of ways in Coptic pieces. In this example the center of the diamond opens as it would for another diamond, then transitions into a basket weave.
Motif A is a basket weave that tapers to a point at top and bottom. Motif B is a large nested diamond. Motif C combines Motifs A and B, placing the basket weave in the large diamond. These motifs are inspired by a 4th century Coptic hairnet, sample #13399 at the Kelsey Museum. Keep scrolling down to see a photo. Invitation 1: Use motif C on the back of a fingerless mitten. Invitation 2: Lay multiple copies of Motif C side by side for a wider pattern, possibly inserting bands of basket weave or vertical stripes. |
Photo by Sharon Wichman
|
Design Challenges for those who want to move toward designing your own patterns. These require charting the pattern and making multiple design decisions.
Challenge 1: Add diagonals of S & Z to the outside of the diamond, filling the plain-stitch corners with alternating lines of S&Z.
Challenge 2: The central motif this month is a 2-3 basket weave with a 6-row repeat (July’s Motif B). Create a pointy basket weave from July’s Motif A, a 2-2 basket weave with a 4 row repeat. Then, if you wish, place this inside a diamond.
Challenge 1: Add diagonals of S & Z to the outside of the diamond, filling the plain-stitch corners with alternating lines of S&Z.
Challenge 2: The central motif this month is a 2-3 basket weave with a 6-row repeat (July’s Motif B). Create a pointy basket weave from July’s Motif A, a 2-2 basket weave with a 4 row repeat. Then, if you wish, place this inside a diamond.
A note about instructions and charts:
The instructions include a photo of the completed motif, the written shorthand pattern, and a chart with Carol’s notation.
The charts include a possibly higher-resolution version of the chart with Carol’s notation, and a shorthand chart which shows only the S and Z stitches. The shorthand chart is recommended for those who are comfortable with the transitions from S to Z and do not need to know which stitches are on the back threads and which are on the front threads.
The instructions include a photo of the completed motif, the written shorthand pattern, and a chart with Carol’s notation.
The charts include a possibly higher-resolution version of the chart with Carol’s notation, and a shorthand chart which shows only the S and Z stitches. The shorthand chart is recommended for those who are comfortable with the transitions from S to Z and do not need to know which stitches are on the back threads and which are on the front threads.
|
Motif A
|
Motif B
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
|
Motif C
|
|
| ||||||
#13399 from the Kelsey Museum