I like to mess around with shapes just to see what happens, and every now and then I stumble into something really cool. While playing with a series of repeating curves, I discovered that if I get the positioning just so, the curves take on a three-dimensional effect. Soliton Wave is the first of several designs I have created that explores this theme. (The most recent exploration is Countercurrent.) This particular design reminds me of an episode of Star Trek TNG that features a (fictional) soliton wave.

The mathematical principles underlying this visual effect are fascinating, beautiful, and completely invisible. One doesn’t have to be a math geek to enjoy this pattern; just settle into the meditative rhythm and follow the flow.

The garments pictured here use single crochet to strand color through the scarf after the knitting is complete. If you don’t crochet, please don’t freeze up at the word. First, you can skip the chains entirely if you want. Second, no prior experience with crochet is required (I have a demo video on YouTube that shows all you need to know, which you can view here.) Third, there are other ways of color stranding that you could do instead. Lorilee Beltman is a master of color stranding and she uses a completely different method, you can view her demo here.

Jul Designs’ shawl pins by Laura Bellows add a creative and elegant touch to the styling.

Free stuff:

• Listen to my interview with Brenda Dayne about the pattern and the format.

• Read my blog post, “Shredding the Envelope,” about how and why this design warranted a completely new instructional format.

• Check out Rosetta Stone, a teaching tool for the new format.