Bombogenesis
Our Featured Knit Design
Prepare for a new adventure in texture and technique! Bombogenesis is a gorgeous asymmetrical shawl of mysterious inspiration from local indie designer Emily Hinds of String and Bean Designs.
Join the designer for the 3 mini-courses in skills you will need for this project: chart reading, brioche ribbing, and beaded quilt stitch.
Chart Reading
Lace, cables, colorwork, and beyond, no matter where you turn, charts are everywhere in knitting! Chart reading can feel like learning a new language, because it is–with a new but simple set of rules that you can understand!
In this class, we’ll look at three of the stitch patterns charted in the Bombogenesis shawl: Waffle Stitch, Cables, and Staggered Eyelets. We’ll learn to recognize some of the most common symbols used in knitting charts, discuss how rows and repeats are marked and read, practice translating a chart into written instructions, and even knit along with a few rows of each chart. Please note that for class purposes we will be working on a sampler, not following the Bombogenesis pattern- so whether you’re knitting the shawl or not, this class is a great opportunity to take the fear out of charts once and for all!
Difficulty Level: Beginner (experience with knits and purls required)
Yarn: 200 yds/50 g fingering weight merino wool (or 200-300 yards of another yarn, if you’re not knitting Bombogenesis)
Needles: US 3/3.25 mm circular needles, 24” or shorter (or the recommended needle size for the yarn you’re using)
Notions: stitch markers, scrap yarn, scissors, tape measure, tapestry needle, pencil and paper
Class length: 2 hours
Brioche Rib
Whether you call it shaker knitting, fisherman’s rib, or just plain brioche, this bouncy, squishy stitch pattern is a must for knitters who love exploring new techniques! Named after a French pastry known for its decadent layers, brioche knitting allows you to create textures that are irresistible to the eye and the hand. In this class, we’ll learn how to read and work the most basic stitches in the brioche knitting family and swatch the brioche rib stitch pattern used in the Bombogenesis shawl. Remember, we’re knitting a swatch, not following the Bombogenesis pattern- so whether you’re knitting the shawl or not, this class is a great opportunity to expand your knitting horizons with a new technique!
Difficulty Level: Beginner (experience with knits and purls required)
Yarn: 200 yds/50 g fingering weight merino wool (or 200-300 yards of another yarn, if you’re not knitting Bombogenesis)
Needles: US 3/3.25 mm circular needles, 24” or shorter (or the recommended needle size for the yarn you’re using)
Notions: stitch markers, scrap yarn, scissors, tape measure, tapestry needle, pencil and paper
Class length: 1 hour
Beaded Quilt Stitch
Unquestionably the crowning glory of the Bombogenesis shawl, this dramatic stitch pattern adds texture, weight, and sparkle to the project and challenges thrill-seeking knitters with new tools and techniques. In this class, we’ll learn how to use slip stitches and floats to create a three-dimensional lattice on the surface of your knitting, as well as how to place beads using a crochet hook. We’ll also practice reading this stitch pattern as a chart, including two unconventional stitches. Please note that for class purposes we will be knitting a swatch, not following the Bombogenesis pattern- so whether you’re knitting the shawl or not, this class is a great opportunity to explore multiple new techniques in one exciting stitch pattern!
Difficulty Level: Intermediate (experience with knits, purls, and basic chart reading required)
Yarn: 200 yds/50 g fingering weight merino wool
Needles: US 3/3.25 mm circular needles, 24” or shorter
Notions: 10 g/0.35 oz glass E beads, No. 10/1.30 mm steel crochet hook, stitch markers, scrap yarn, scissors, tape measure, tapestry needle, pencil and paper
Class length: 2 hours
Meet The Instructor: Emily Hinds
Emily Hinds is a knitter, designer, and educator based in East Tennessee. Emily learned to knit while grounded during high school, which just proves that breaking the rules is worth it sometimes. She now has 14 years’ experience in needle arts and can be found online and at your LYS under the name String and Bean Designs. Besides knitting, Emily’s great loves are a strong cup of coffee and a pug named Ellie.