More often than not, my creative process is a matter of diverse components coming together in some cool way that was not really my intention at the outset.   My Brioche Poncho project is a terrific example.

Component 1:  “Oh, brioche knitting is so fun and so gorgeous! Gotta make something!”

Component 2:  Manos Del Uruguay’s “Alegria” yarn in a fabulous tutti-fruitti colorway with pops of neon — discovered on a particularly gray, gray, gray day in January

Component 3:  Stephen West’s “Brioncho” pattern (awesome!)

Component 4:  Nancy Marchant’s brilliant Knitting Fresh Brioche  — ‘cause I wanted to pretty up my poncho!

And I have been happily brioche-ing away for some weeks now.

BUT I was completely unaware that the true inspiration for this piece was actually creeping about on the ocean floor — a creature whose existence was unknown to me until yesterday when I heard a podcast (about eyes and color) that featured this particular creature.  A feisty crustacean with a bullet-like punch and incredible vision:  The Peacock Mantis Shrimp!

Need I say more?!