basics To illusion knit, you need 2 contrasting colors of yarn. A basic design is knit in 4-row sections: 2 rows of the main (background) color, and 2 rows of the contrasting (image) color. The image is created by purl bumps in the contrasting color. From straight on you see only stripes. But from an angle, the image appears as if by magic. Amazing! It’s that easy.   Here's an example:  dragonfly illusion

This illusion is created with alternating stripes of black and teal worsted weight yarn. From straight on, it looks like stripes. But from an angle...

...the image appears!

Many illusion patterns are depicted by a chart because the instructions can be quite lengthy. The key to the chart depends on the designer. Not all are the same so read the key carefully. I've simplified the chart as much as possible and I’ve included full instructions so you can compare them to the chart. For this illusion, all odd-numbered rows are knit. The even-numbered rows are knit or purled to bring out the image.  You’ll need:        2 colors of contrasting yarn in worsted weight        [The main or MC (background) color in the pictured sample is black; the contrasting or CC (image) color is teal blue.]        4 mm needles Read the chart from bottom to top. Odd-numbered rows are read from right to left; even-numbered rows are read from left to right.   Click here to get the chart and instructions for a scarf: Dragonfly_illusion_scarf.pdf