A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, a knitter was born who has been obsessed with Star Wars for her entire life. Oh wait, that's me.
I adore everything about Star Wars (well, the original trilogy anyway, the prequels left a bit to be desired) - the story, the tech, the characters, the costumes, the special effects... There's something for everyone, whether it's a certain character you relate to, rooting for the underdog, a droid you have an affinity with or someone going through an issue in a galaxy far, far away that you find yourself going through here on Earth. I don't trust people who don't like Star Wars the same way I don't trust people who don't like chocolate, pizza or unicorns.
When they announced a few years back that they were going to be filming more movies and picking up where Episode VI left off, I thought I might spontaneously combust with sheer excitement. I wasn't born yet when the very first film was released, but I love hearing stories from those who were there and it has the same frenzy that the first Harry Potter film did. When the first Harry Potter came out, I sat in line for hours on the floor with my RISD friends, hunkered down with my knitting and caffeine in full-on HP geek mode, waiting patiently for the ticket guy to let us get into the theater.
I've wanted to design a pattern trilogy inspired by Star Wars for a long time. It's been tucked away in the back of my mind and I kept thinking," You really need to plan that out, because December 2015 will be here before you know it." Since today is Force Friday (and I just got back from Target where a Star Wars shirt or two may have slipped into my shopping cart, and my heart nearly burst with pride when my 4-year-old told me he wanted Star Wars underoos), it seems like the perfect day to introduce the first of the pattern trilogy.
Fellow Star Wars fans, meet the Nerfherder Cowl (inspired by the below video clip - if you get my posts via email, it won't show up). The first of 3 Star Wars-inspired patterns by TanisKnits, the Nerfherder Cowl is designed to be the perfect knit to work on while you re watch the 6 films to prep for the new one. With a stitch pattern reminiscent of stars and galaxies, it's a very interesting project packed with texture and color. I've paired The Lemonade Shop's Sparkle DK yarn in the appropriately named color way "The Force" (blue sparkles!), and Manos del Uruguay's wonderful Silk Blend yarn in "Shocking." I love the neon yarn paired with the calm blues and by striping them in even intervals, it adds another layer of depth and they tone each other down nicely.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSwyNN7ms00
This cowl is knit back and forth the short way and joined at the end with kitchener stitch (you could certainly 3-needle bind off instead if you wish) which means finished length is up to you. I've been into longer cowls lately and the stitch pattern was so addicting that I just keep knitting!
The next 2 TanisKnits Star Wars-inspired patterns will be headed your way in soon, so keep your eyes out for the next installment coming soon.
Download the Nerfherder Cowl here and may the force be with you, always.