Knitting Trace’s Trinity Beanie

About the Knitting

This was a very experimental piece so there is an excel spreadsheet that I constantly adjusted (as knitting depends on the thickness of the yarn & the needles + tension).  Refer to the Excel Spreadsheet above.  This follows a ribbing stitch at the bottom (switching between knit & purl stitches for the elastic-like rim), then switches to a stocking stitch (i.e. on right side up are knit stitch rows, on back side are purl stitch rows).  Really shows how much of an amateur knitter I am, not knowing when to decrease stitches for the curvature at the top of the beanie & having not used circular needles, but it’s fun nevertheless!  

See https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beanie-4-trace for details regarding yarn & recommended needle sizes (I used size 3 Pony knitting needles, however if you want tighter knits you may want to use 2.5 or 2.75mm knitting needles instead).  

Meaning Behind the Piece

There’s a crown at the rim that represents the fact that we are adopted children of God through Christ.  It says “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” in 1 Peter 2:9 (p.s. thanks Clarice, I still remember this verse because of you). 

To whoever who wonders why there’s a clover – this represents the Holy Trinity, specifically the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit !  I actually first came across this through Veggietales in Koorong as a child (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAvqNL6f9nI), where I learnt my birthday coincides with St. Patrick’s Day!  To be truthful it’s difficult to celebrate sometimes because I can’t help but think of the beloved people lost, but God still never ceases to bring treasured moments with beautiful people who help most the time without them even realising how much joy & light they bring (including awesome Irish people :’) such as Rend Collective).

The modified “t” on Trace’s name/clover side is to represent a cross as well as being similar to the Chinese characters “big” (大) or “up” (上), & most similar to “earth” (土).  Easter is a time for remembering Christ’s life, death & resurrection.  He came to Earth & battled with life just like we do.  Hence, He understands our struggles & weakness, & chose to have compassion for us.  This seemingly impossible but essential love, is the greatest inspiration.  It wasn’t supposed to look like a plus or minus sign in front of race, but if you wanna go with that, it makes me think about how God value(d/s) us so much that He sent His Son.  Doesn’t that challenge us to also value & love one another regardless of differences.  We all have insecurities or wounds but do we need to let those make us tear each other apart?  Wouldn’t it be boring if we were all the same?

Lastly, the green pom pom at the top symbolises the new life through Christ, the spring of His Spirit. Read Rev. 21! The end of verse 6 says “… To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life”.

Disclaimer: I’ve been told that I don’t understand politics e.g. the umbrella protests in HK, so I’m guessing similar goes for other the Black Lives Matter movement as well as the history in Ireland that I had no idea about until very recently.  Argh I can’t say I do understand the bible, politics or even conflicts completely, but its everywhere.  My hope is in His love, knowing that it conquers all our dissensions in all tenses.

Thoughts & Reflections

May His Holy Spirit always move amongst us as Christ remains the centre of our lives.  

Aren’t the three crosses on Calvary’s Hill such beautiful reminders of how important the state of our hearts are to God?  

This photo doesn’t do justice but I love the constant reminders that He is with us whether it’s through awesome interactions with people or clovers shooting up in all directions.

May His love, joy & peace always surround you & lead you!  

Blessings!

Mary

Collingwood Pillow with Australian Aboriginal Flag & Black Lives Matter Banner

• 

• 

• 

• 

Refer to Colour-Coded Knitting Charts on Microsoft Excel: Collingwood Knit Pattern.  

Every odd row is a knit stitch and every even row is a purl row.  Where you can see the numbers starting across the top is a knitting row.  Follow the colour changes and just look behind your work to try not to tangle the strings too much, hope you can understand, I’m still getting a hang of this style similar to Fair Isle.  

For the Collingwood Pillow, start with casting on 53 stitches (these make the columns across).  You will make 59 rows in total for each side of the pillow following the knitting chart using stocking stitch (this includes the row that is knitted with the numbers labelling what number row it is).  I used a small travel pillow (the ones you often are provided when flying).  

For the banner or bookmark/handle(s), start with casting on 62 stitches, and follow the chart to make 10 rows with the colour changes.  Remember BLACK LIVES MATTER!!!

As shared on Ravelry…

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/collingwood-pillow

I used Value Ball Stashes 8 ply in Marigold, Black and White (50g balls 3x, although none of the balls were used up entirely). Also, I used Yellow Lincraft Esther Yarn I believe it was polyester but you may choose a more suitable one like acrylic or even wool if you want something warm. A more darker yellow might look even more distinct.  The red yarn was an 8ply acrylic ball from a discount store (Cheap as Chips or Reject Shop). Again I would have preferred a brighter red for the Aboriginal Flag.  I acknowledge we stand on the Kaurna/Indigenous Australian Lands :), hence I couldn’t help but add the Aboriginal Flag to this design!  I suggested using the AFL Panda 12 ply but you may need larger needles for that. I’ve previously used that yarn and found it to be quite insulative & thick, hence very highly recommended.

The last page provides a special that Black Lives Matter.  You can use that for a bookmark or if you’d like, you can even make two handles with the words, extend the pillow pattern a little longer and turn it into a bag or document sleeve.  To make the bookmark I’d recommend using 3-4ply yarn for a normal sized novel, but if you often read newspapers or you’d like to make a banner feel free to use the 8-12ply yarn.  

You may find it helpful to iron the product at the end as stocking stitch tends to curl up a bit.  I also found it difficult to keep the tension the same especially when changing colours – sometimes I found myself pulling one of them too tight when doing so. Hence, it may be a good idea to give it a little more space on colour change to accomodate for the usual springiness throughout the piece.

Thank you & all the best with your projects!