It is mid-December and the holidays draw near
I found it imperative that I spread good cheer.
You’ll find here below a pattern for you.
Its turns are complex, I admit that is true.
But with the skills you have learned here so far,
You will do just fine and earn a gold star.
I’ve changed just a few things to make it more merry.
Now I’m going to get me a big class of sherry.
(OK, I don’t actually drink sherry–maybe a bottle of hard cider instead.)
I was asked this morning by a viewer about the red, yellow and black piece in the opening sequence of the video, and where that pattern could be found. The answer is that the original is on Pinterest, but it’s written in a rather hard-to-read format, so I set out to “translate” it into the Tabletweaving Draft Designer (TDD) (jamesba.github.io/tabletweave) charting system.
However, the original pattern has a little hidden swastika in the middle of it, which always gave me a level of consternation. For those who are outside of North America, the swastika–although used extensively in the Medieval period–is still very much a symbol used in hate crimes and the sight of it causes distress to some people in minority communities. It wasn’t really IN YOUR FACE, but still…it was there, so I hesitated in including it in some displays or teaching the pattern. Today, I set about altering the middle of the design to remove the symbol while maintaining the amazing movement and color that so many people remark on with this piece.
I hope you enjoy weaving it!
With much love and appreciation, and wishing you all a very happy holiday season and a fantastic, healthy and happy new year!
Elewys