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Writer's pictureLauren Gonzalez

The 6 Day Supernova Shawl - A Pattern Review

Updated: 3 days ago


Recently in the fiber arts community, there has been discourse over 6 day star blanket patterns by a particular artist. On one side we have those saying that the pattern is fun and works up quickly for last minute projects. On the other side we have those saying the pattern is difficult to follow and unoriginal, contrary to the author's claims.


*cue People's Court theme song and narrator*

“The Plaintiff (KBC) began this project and documented her opinions of the process, start to finish. She also created and distributed tutorials for the pattern.”

“The Defendant (BMK) is the author of said 6-day star project and responds to the Plaintiff's opinions and actions by asserting ‘foul play’.”





We’ve just scratched the surface of the drama. A deep dive shows that KBC made the alternatives as a way for her, and others like her with learning disabilities or reading difficulties, to share in crafting. She made no plans to monetize this. However, BMK took this as an offense to her work and stated that KBC had engaged in copyright infringement. KBC offered to give her notes to BMK for better accessibility, but the offer was declined.


It has been said that BMK, a craft veteran, was less than cordial to those who opposed her views. KBC voluntarily removed all tutorials from her pages, and the matter now seems settled between the two artists. Now fiber artists around the world have taken sides to continue the discussion.


The last topic that gained this much traction in our community was when Taylor Swift wore that dress post-concert of her Eras tour. In just a few short months, we went from united to conflicted. Whichever your stance on this issue, there is no need to bully either artist or be overly critical of another’s experience. Feel free to tell me your opinions, as I will share mine.


After seeing so many differing views of this pattern, I had to check it out for myself. A blanket that can be finished in six days with medium-weight yarn seems far-fetched to me. When considering my circumstances, I realized that it's just not practical for me. Working 40 hours a week, two young kids, our aging parents, having to keep house, and more; at best, I could be halfway done in six days.


I was then halted by the fact that I didn't want to make another blanket. Based upon the videos I had seen of progress and completed projects, this blanket would be huge, and I didn’t have anywhere to store it. I found on BMK’s blog that she has created many variations, so I decided one of these would be easier for me to accomplish. Admittedly, it was a biased decision. I felt that if I struggled like others, I would have no desire to finish an entire blanket. In total, it took me 11 days to finish, which is still quicker than the time it took for me to do a variation of Taylor’s crochet dress. Now let’s walk through my timeline of the 6-day project.



Pattern Selection

How did I land on shawls? I don’t have many shawls, but I could always drape it over my work chair. It is always chilly at the place I work, which is why I made a blanket for the office just earlier this year. It’s made of jumbo yarn so it's very comfy, but not easy to wear on your shoulders and walk across the building to a conference meeting, so a shawl is more practical.


Why did I choose supernova over the other versions? This is purely because the word scratches the nostalgia itch of my brain. The DCOM - Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century, includes the earliest earworm of my memory. Cetus-lupeedus! The totally macro band Microbe, with lead singer Protozoa gave a concert in space, and the first song is titled “Supernova Girl”. As I return from memory lane, basically, I chose the pattern like I choose yarn to buy: it's pretty and I like it.



Pregame

I read through all the patterns just to see the different stitches used, and then I focused on the supernova pattern. There are some directions that do not seem worded as I would usually find in crochet patterns. Sometimes though, it is easier to understand the direction while you're stitching, because you can see how your hook will move in the work. I found that rows would start with a chain 2 or chain 3, and it may count as a stitch or it may not. Throughout the pattern, I kept thinking there was not much clarity. Still, I was determined to finish this project.


Rifling through my stash, I chose Mandala Tweed Stripes in the colorway Cat’s Eye. It is a category 4 / worsted weight yarn with long runs of color that transition between multiple shades of the skein. This yarn has been discontinued by Lion Brand, yet there are several alternatives here.


I believe I received this yarn, three skeins total, in a mystery grab bag. The colors are fine, but it’s not my first choice. I wanted this project to be a yarn-eater. In the end, I used one full skein, approximately 1/3 of a left over skein, and approximately 1/2 of a second whole skein.


The pattern calls for a 6mm hook when using worsted weight yarn. My tension is usually tight, so I assumed this would be perfect, but I hated the look of the first few setup rounds; they were very loose. So I frogged everything and used a 5.5mm as the yarn label says. My hook is from the Streamline collection by Furls.



Day 1

My first struggle was with setup row 3; I believe it could be rewritten to clearly identify which beginning chains are equal to stitches and which are not. For my own use, I rewrote this direction to make it easier for me to follow as I break and return to this project. By the time I finish setup row 4, the points and valleys of the shawl begin to take shape. I ended this day by completing setup row 9.



Day 2

I'm starting row 2; this is where the weird numbering starts. Even the pattern notes say "try not to be thrown off". Rows 2 thru 6 will be repeated twice. There is a stitch count listed as per the first cycle and second cycle, but it is awkward and clunky. I ended this day somewhere in the middle of row 7.



Day 3

I continue row 7, then move on to the second cycle of rows 2 thru 6. Each time I pause, I take note of what row I'm on so I don't miss or repeat anything. The peaks and valleys are thoroughly defined at this point and I am proud of my progress. I ended this day completing the second cycle of row 5.



Day 4

I started on the second cycle of row 6, then moved to row 7a. Mini peaks are taking shape which make up the nine total points of this shawl. I ended this day completing row 3a.



Day 5

I started with the direction of a repeat for row 4. There is a lot of back and forth in this pattern, as I'm on the web version, this equates to a lot of scrolling up and down. I ended this day completing row 6a.



Day 6

Well, it's day 6 and I am about halfway through, as I suspected. Starting from row 7b, I stitch on towards completion. I almost left my project at work! I was distressed by that and had a lot of adulting to do when I got home. I ended this day in the middle of row 7b.



Day 7

I finished the remainder of row 7b and moved on to row 2b. I spend most of my stitching on my break times and lunch hour. Earbuds in and an alarm on my phone so I can zone out but not exceed my allotted time. I ended this day in the middle of row 3b.



Day 8

I finish the remainder of row 3b. A new direction to “repeat rows 4, 5a, 6a, and 7b in that order”. I mark each row as I start and finish. In the middle of row 6a, I finish the first skein and join the left over 1/3 skein. It is tangled as I kind of just balled it up after finishing a different project and threw it in my storage bin. I join its other end to a brand new skein and keep on stitching. I ended this day completing row 7b.



Day 9

I start on row 2c, and after completing row 3c, there is a new direction to run one or more cycles of rows 4, 5a, 6a, 7b, 2c, and 3c in that order to your preferred length. You are instructed to end on either row 4 or row 7b once you reach your preferred length. I worked up to row 5a, did a length/wear check, and decided that this was good enough. If I continued even one full cycle of these rows, the shawl would be too large for my liking. I ended this day by frogging row 5a.



Day 10

Now I am ready to start the border rows! Base comes first, working single crochets all around. The second round of the border, and all following rounds are worked in half double crochet. The border is written to work continuously without turning. I deviated and turned at each row because I found that method easier to identify the correct placement for my stitches. I learned a new stitch, the camel stitch! I had never used this stitch prior to this project; it works up nicely. I end this day on the second row of the border rounds.



Day 11

I continue on the border rounds and reach total completion! Cut the tail, weave the ends, and start watching Sailor Moon Crystal. All throughout I have been watching a mix of The Office, original 90s Sailor Moon, and Dateline. Share your favorite shows for crocheting.



Final thoughts ...

I consider myself an intermediate crocheter as I’ve been working this craft since 2016. I am a novice to pattern writing, but I try to model my writing style to other authors that are easy to follow along. I could not find any videos for the setup rows where I struggled the most, and eventually just gave up looking. I attribute this to the fact that I’m not doing the infamous blanket and that the shawls are just not as popular.


I firmly believe that this pattern would be difficult for someone who is an absolute beginner of the craft. The rows could have been written with standard numericals and if preferred, a title separation for each section. It’s my opinion that BMK wrote and published this pattern as per her notes while experimenting. The pattern reads like an outline of her internal monologue; I’ve never read anything quite like it.


Once again, I’ll reiterate that no fiber artist should receive hate based upon their experience differing from yours, or what you think it should be. To try the 6-day supernova shawl yourself, the pattern is linked here. If you have tried any of BMK’s 6-day projects and want to share your experience, please do so in the comments!



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