In the 1870s, the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, became known for the production of fine furniture, which was made with the assistance of machines to lower the price and make high-quality pieces affordable for middle-class people. Growing up in Grand Rapids, I didn’t know the history of the city’s furniture making, but I knew that several of my relatives on my dad’s side worked for Steelcase, in the factory and driving trucks.

Materials

Yarn: Mrs. Crosby Steamer Trunk, 100% Superwash Merino Wool; 164yds/100g: Squid Ink (MC), 5 (6, 7, 8, 9) skeins; Hot Pimento (CC), 2 (2, 3, 3, 4) skeins.

Needles: Size 8 (5.0 mm): 24” circular (cir) and double-pointed (dpn) or size needed to obtain gauge; Size 7 (4.5 mm): 24” cir and dpn or one size smaller than size needed to obtain gauge. Adjust needle sizes if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions: 8 markers (m), one in a second color to indicate beginning of rnd; tapestry needle.

Please note all charts for this pattern can be found at MidwesternKnits.com