As Above, So Below - A Twisted Stitch Trial

The following section shows how I created the pattern for the symbol “As above, so below” using twisted stitches on merino yarn.

1. Gridwork

The design is directional, so I started with reference shapes. I used a Library of Elements (Gaughan, 2021) for structure to begin building out the inverted triangle. This helped visualise line weight and slope using basic knit/purl structure.

I knew I needed symmetry and tension - nothing soft, no curves. I kept the angles sharp, then mirrored the triangle for the lower half.

2. Stitch Interference

First swatch was off. The triangle’s central line wasn’t long enough, and the sides drifted. Too much space between changes. I frogged the entire thing down to the break point, picked each stitch back up with a ruler holding the others in place, and continued the pattern from there.

This part was fussy but necessary. The symbol doesn’t work if the balance is off.

3. Blocking Ritual

Once the pattern was aligned, I soaked the piece in warm water, rolled it in a towel, then pinned it to shape while damp. The structure held. The symbol emerged clearly - not decorative, but encoded. Sharp enough to cut.

The final swatch showed the full form: above, below. One field mirrored across the line. Not perfect, the pattern itself is a success. My implementation after putting the stitches back on after ripping it back is where i went wrong. I was off by one stitch which messed up the result however I'm far too lazy to frog it back again given it's just a swatch. Lesson learned for when I make these for the Goddess.exe collection.

Notes

• Yarn: Merino (4mm needles, 40 stitches)
• Pattern Tool: ChartMinder
• Symbol: Inverted + upright triangle, central axis
• Mood: Focused. Mildly hostile.
• Result: Pass (with corrections)

The full twisted stitch pattern used in this experiment is now available as a downloadable dossier — charted, tested, and ready for ritual use. Proceed if you intend to manifest it into form yourself. Feel free to contact me for any pattern related questions.

References:

Gaughan N. (2021). Library of Elements In Norah Gaughan’s Twisted Stitch Sourcebook(pp. 232). Abrams, New York