Now You See It… Now You Don’t
Shadow, or illusion knitting, uses carefully placed knit and purl stitches to create images that appear or disappear depending on the viewing angle. From straight on, the fabric looks like textured ridges. From the side, a hidden design emerges.
This workshop explores the logic behind the illusion and teaches you how stitch structure and contrast work together to create the effect.
What You’ll Learn
How Illusion Knitting Works
• Why viewing angle matters
• How knit and purl stitches control visibility
• The role of contrast in revealing images
Working the Fabric
• Managing two contrasting colors
• Maintaining consistent ridges
• Understanding the rhythm of illusion patterns
Reading Illusion Patterns
• Interpreting charts and written instructions
• Recognizing how the image forms row by row
• Evaluating contrast effectiveness
Applying the Technique
• Choosing appropriate motifs
• Understanding scale and clarity
• Exploring pattern possibilities beyond the sample
⏱️ Takeaway
You’ll leave understanding how illusion knitting works and how to apply the technique intentionally to create clear, dramatic visual effects.
Supplies
Please bring:
• Two highly contrasting colors of worsted-weight yarn
• US 6, 7, or 8 needles