Stumbling through Research: Limits of my Skill

 Last time, I wrote about my rushing to learn how to knit. This post is an extension of that, but more about hitting a wall I cannot surmount. 

The Solution...and me.

First, let me set up the "problem" I'm trying to solve and the backward ways I've tried to solve it...

The Impossible Cape

So I set myself up with a bit of a thought challenge on how I would use either knitting or crochet to make a shawl or cloak like the Flame Hashira from Demon Slayer. 

It's so Flamey. 

So ignoring the first b.s. thing about how it stays on his shoulders...that's not my problem yet. (But I will struggle to ignore that it's impossible.) 

First, I'm ignorant as to what shape this is. (I know now after literally days of research but I'll get to why it took me so dang long.) 

Second, there are three color changes, one of which is a soft edge gradient and the other an irregular flame pattern. 

Third, the edges are also irregular to imitate fire. 

Fourth, the interior coloration is different than the exterior so we're dealing with a LINED cloak. 

Fifth, we're dealing with anime logic. Which means there is no logic! 😂 And this is a point I'm going to keep forgetting and add to my frustration. 

Animation References...ugh...

So the challenge for cosplaying any drawn or animation-based character is the artist does not have to adhere to the rules of reality. It is an artistic interpretation. But there's also the issue of "consistency" between references. So even for something that might seem like a simple question...it turns out that finding or settling on an answer is not as certain as a live-action costume. 

How do you make a hologram without CGI?

Where's the Seam on the purple Obi belt?

Where are her tails coming from!?

My "Pattern First" Approach

When I'm sewing, I am much better at finding patterns or adjacent patterns for what I want to do. Heck, my approach to sewing Rengoku's cloak is not as much of a challenge as the fiber craft version. (For warmth!) I mean, I think I'll still go through the same "issues" I did with the shape because I'm kind of a dummy but here's what my ignorant butt did:

My instinct was to search for a pattern for a shawl. This is the closest and most diverse fiber craft pattern category I know of. I looked for three aspects: 

• How the shawl sits on a model's shoulders
• A flame-like edge for the trim
• The right length 

I tried terms like "Fire" and "Flame" and I got some interesting results that included some star-pointed shawls, a wave-edged shawl, and a feather-tipped spiral scarf. 

Now, most of the patterns were shorter than I was hoping for and most of them didn't sit right on the shoulders. They were the wrong shape and length but a few of them had the right idea with irregular edges. 

So next I tried to find shawls that were the right length and sat correctly on the shoulders. I found a few of those too, but they didn't have anything interesting on the edges. 

Almost Perfect, But Not Quite

I couldn't find what I wanted in ONE pattern. I mean, there was only a slim possibility I could.  I thought a "sun cape" or blanket could possibly exist and I could kind of modify it. Alas, there was not a single perfect pattern, so I started trying to figure out if there was a way to stitch together some body parts to make a monster. This leads me to try to find regular cape or shawl patterns and try to find the right terms for trimming the edge. (Trim or Edging works it turns out.) 

At first, I felt like I managed to find some decent shawl or blankets that were the right-ish shape and size. But finding the EDGING...whuh...

Not happening...

I took a break and thought I'd find some patterns for a Tanjiro inspired scarf and a Nezuko one. Tanjiro thankfully I can confidently do with a double knit checkered pattern. Just need the right colors. Nezuko's scarf did kind of send me into a side-tracked spiral trying to find a double-knit or fair isle pattern for common kimono designs. (Hers is the hemp flower pattern.) Found plenty about sashiko embroidery...and ONE pattern that included it but I'd need to purchase it and I didn't want to. Did some more Stitch Fiddlin' and made my own pattern but I ran into the SAME ISSUES with the sock pattern of being unsure of the size and making sure the pattern repeated properly. Think I got it now though. 

It should repeat...maybe.

After that surprisingly frustrating journey, I run into even more. 

Edge, Fringe, whatever

For some reason, my focus got zeroed in on replicating the fire trim on the cape. I figured I could add it separately like lace. But I just could not find the right terminology to describe such an edge. I tried "pointed" "long-pointed" "jagged" "fire" "flame" "tentacle" "octopus" "seaweed" "kelp" "triangle" "zig-zag" "torn" "jester" "tendril" "snake" "ric rac" "sun". I looked for HOURS to find something with the right trim or shape that I could make into a garland to attach later.  But I'd look at the results, then look at my reference and swear up and down. Not even close...not even ADJACENT. 

So I settled on the idea that I would have to crochet the trim because I could find the RIGHT shape with that at least! (I could also probably make my own pattern at this point.) But I did end up making some pattern purchases because the result looked promising and I thought I could use it but my skill at reading knitting patterns is not strong enough yet. I couldn't figure out how I'd replicate the shape in knitting to add to a knitted shawl. And all of a sudden...I started focusing in on the shawl and thinking...I don't think that the free pattern I sort of settled on is the right shape. 

Basic Shapes

The edge of the cloak bothered me in many more ways other than its shape...it affects the shape of the whole cloak. At first I thought, "it has got to be a round cloak because of how it drapes and what it looks like when he crouches. It rays out like a sun. Which means a somewhat circular pattern. But wait...I start to doubt because there are scenes in the manga where the cloak is hung on a kimono rack...and it looks rectangular. 

So my silly self decides to GOOGLE search rectangular or square shawls and capes. I have to find people wearing them. Hmm...they don't look quite like the reference picture I have. Man, the flame edge is causing some kind of illusion or something. WAIT! Maybe I'm dumber because of my migraine but I HAVE a 3D reference. 

It helped with the sock pattern too. 

The edge looks rounded. So, I went to my notebook and doodled how it looked draped over the shoulders while standing and sitting...but again...likely because of exhaustion...this boy has very square shoulders so I kept thinking there's SOMETHING square about this cloak I swear!!! 

So I do a google search for "shawl shapes" just so I could get some terminology and some better ideas on how to approach the project. Did that for several hours. For a hot minute I thought the Faroese shape would be correct...spoiler alert...it's not. But it's a cool shawl shape!

Then I had an idea...I have a rectangular blanket and a square shawl! I'll just try these things on myself and see! After that, I was able to definitively rule out rectangle and square. They didn't sit right no matter which way I put them on. So I settled it was at least a circle segment. Because for sure it was NOT a triangle, spiral, or crescent. 

Turns out it's a half-circle. There. I did the hard obvious work for you. Oddly enough it was someone's picture on Ravelry that solved an issue I was having with the rectangle aspect. 

Alhana's Revontuli Project

I was like: "Hold up...that kind of looks like the reference in the manga with the cloak on the kimono rack. And hey...it looks right draped on the hanger. A little short but it's falling in the right spots. Well...I'll be damned. 

How much time did I waste?? Not enough.

Okay, now I'm CONVINCED that half-circle is the way to go for the knitting/crochet pattern so found a few of those. But still not satisfied with my solution for the trim and oh...we didn't even start on the color changes. 

Color Changing Yarn

I have only scratched the surface of what an absolute PAIN in the REAR this aspect will be especially for a half-circle shawl. I've seen Fair Isle patterns on triangle shawls, I have seen 'em on socks, hats, and skirts. Not so much on the circle shawls. I've seen plenty of lace stitching and stripes. 

Tried to figure out how I'm supposed to do this with the wedge style half-circle pattern I want to use which uses short row knitting which is yet ANOTHER new method of knitting to learn (it's pretty dope. I'm excited.) But again my knowledge is too limited! 

Addendum

I took a short break while writing this section to see if I could find any examples or patterns of half-circle shawls with fair isle or intarsia patterns. I did find some but they were not free. And then...by some MIRACLE I saw this pattern: 

Talviaurinko by Eeva Turkka

And by the powers that be, we have a flame-like color change shape within the half-circle. It uses short-row knitted wedges. Still will have some color change issues but this is closer to what I'd want to do if I knit this. I could combine it with some of the techniques from other patterns or crochet the flame trim to add on later. But hey...might be doable!

In the end...it doesn't even matter...😂

Because I need to focus on finishing ONE knitted project before leaping into this. I've also got a kimono to sew together and dye and paint. Wisteria fox NEEDS priority right now even though I've been having a horrible fun time trying to figure things out. 

I could just knit a half-circle in white, get my orange fabric spray paint for the gradient (or dip dye in orange), then knit some rows in red yarn, use duplicate stitching to make the flames and I'm still stuck on the edging. I'll probably crochet it since I can't find a "wiggly triangle" shaped knitting pattern or I'll knit a pennant or something triangular and crochet it to the edge. 

Or heck, we could just do an "inspired by" type project and not try to recreate this in knit or crochet because I think I'm going to lose my mind. And in that case, I'd just go with the Revontuli pattern and knit in white orange, and red.  

Anyway...this is the madness of trying to learn and figure out something beyond your scope of expertise. I think I'll stick to knitting tubes for now. I can handle that. 

UPDATE 2/6/22: 

So I've learned some things not only about myself but about the project. 

I found a crochet pattern for the whole shawl that does the flame points and is easy enough for me to figure out the color changes so at least I have that. 

And I also finally figured some things out about short row knitting to make fun shapes including some that look like flames. I found patterns for the cape/shawl for the Flame Hashira that could work (In addition to the ones already mentioned in the post). Some may still need some tweaking but here you go. The fruit of my labor: 

• Embossed Phoenix Hooded Cape (Crochet $$) (Will likely use this one.)
• Scarf with Flames (Knitting) - this could be used as trim or adjusted to a half-circle shape.  I just like the short-row flames. (Dream bird KAL is a paid alternative that has slightly better directions IMO).
• Free and Easy Pie Wedge Shawl (knitting) - I made a color change chart for this so I might end up using it. 
• Campfire (Crochet) - For making a trim
• Phoenix Wings (Knitting) 
• Jest Scarf (Knitting) - Example of the short row extension. Could be used as trim. 

All of the patterns would need some adjusting to suit the color changes and many would be adjacent matches but that's what I've done. 

I've also got some sweater patterns, belt patterns, and jackets to knit for Tanjiro and Nezuko. And I found someone who remade the hemp flower pattern. (costs money though...I have updated my knitting chart for the Hemp Flower. But I still need to test it.) 

I am finally ready to put this to rest and regain lost hours of sleep. 

Update 3/3/22: 

Part of the benefit of stumbling is eventually you learn how to walk or even run. When I actually started trying to crochet and knit the shawl using pre-made patterns, I figured out the solutions to my issues and was able to cobble together: My Own Pattern! I have been tweaking it as I go along but I actually have pictures on how it looks and I'm so pleased. Although...I HAVE decided to restart it yet again because I want to fix the color change issues.