2014 Geek-A-Long: Firefly

Funny story guys: The week 37 square was not supposed to be Firefly. I got the order mixed up when I posted the spoiler pic on Ravelry this week. Firefly was meant for next week and Jac is totes annoyed with me, because I have denied the Ravelers one last week of guessing Firefly when it wasn’t. I’m annoyed with me, because frankly, that was a highlight for me. I realize academically it should have gotten old, but the running joke of the GAL group guessing Firefly for every square cracks me up week after week. On the flip side, my oversight is bringing out Firefly one week early, so sorry-not-sorry on this one.

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I almost don’t even know where to start with this one. Much like Buffy and BSG, it is one of those shows that had an enormous impact on nerd culture and my personal development. I was a senior in High School during Firefly’s short lived stint on Fox. I might forgive Fox for canceling it one day, but then again, I probably won’t. Of course, there is something to be said for the show getting martyred the way it was.

Adversity brought us together. As one, the nerd community has been rising up against the cancellation of the show ever since it happened. Just mentioning the show brings a tear to our eyes and a lump to our throats. That single short season had a resounding effect on us. Charities have sprung from it. Countless Jayne hats have been knitted. Plus, it spawned one of the best written graphic novels I’ve ever read, The Shepherd’s Tale.

I know that I’ll never really stop missing it, but I have stopped mourning it. I think even the show’s actors miss it, if this is any indication…

I really struggled with what to put on this square. My feelings for Firefly are vast, and so were my ideas. I loved Wash most of all and had several ideas that honored the fallen Hoban Washburn. Ultimately though, we wanted to go with something that encompassed not just the cast, but also the ship. So this week’s official square is the Serenity logo. I wouldn’t feel right with not giving Wash some special attention however, and this week we have an alternate square that remembers Wash the way I think he would want us to.

Yes… yes. This is a fertile land, and we will thrive. We will rule over all this land, and we will call it… This Land.

Download the PDF for This Land and get your official square below.

Firefly

© Megan-Anne of Lattes & Llamas, 2014

Needles: Size US6

Yarn: Cascade 220 in 2 sharply contrasting colors.

Gauge: 10 sts over 13 rows = 2″ x 2″ square. Final square is 45 sts by 57 rows.  Please note that in the written pattern I instruct you to knit the rows above and below the active color chart.  These rows are shown on the chart as solid color rows above and below the design.

Download PDF of the color chart Firefly. Cast on 45 sts for each side of knitting (with two strands held together CO 45, for a total of 90 sts on needle).

Work 2 rows of double-sided knitting (knit the facing sts and purl the back sts across). Note that the first row is a right side row.  You may choose to work the opposite color for the first stitch of each row (I do this), which will keep the edges closed. Alternately, you may choose to knit them without doing this and seam the sides when putting the blanket together. There is no “right” way to do this. It is really just what you are more comfortable with.

Follow color chart over next 43 rows in double-sided knitting.

Work 2 rows of double-sided knitting. BO.

Don’t forget to tweet or instagram them at me @Doctor_Llama or Jac @jac_attacking with the hashtag geekalong, so we can all oooh and ah together. We even have a fancy new GAL Participation Button you can put on your blog or your Geek-A-Long posts. You can grab the html out of the side bar or find it here.

If you’re having trouble with double-sided knitting, we have a how-to video here and you can find moral support in the Geek-A-Long group on Ravelry here. We’re even raffling off some sweet prizes for our members at the end of the year! You can learn more about it in the group or on the GAL Benefactors page.

~ Megan-Anne
“I’d like to be king of all Londinium and wear a shiny hat.”

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