Calais by Becky Wilkins

Calais

Knitting
October 2015
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
23 stitches and 39 rows = 4 inches
in textured stitch pattern
US 2 - 2.75 mm
US 4 - 3.5 mm
400 - 550 yards (366 - 503 m)
Hat Circumference: 19.25 (21, 22.75)” / Mitt Circumference: 6.75 (9)”
English
This pattern is available for $6.50 USD buy it now

September’s hat and mitt set draws on the texture and color of flint corn. The heritage breed ears of corn so often used for decoration are also perfect for making cornmeal. Which leads into the paired recipe for harvest pesto cornbead.

Calais is a varietal of corn which is mainly grown for meal. You’re much more likely to find it at a farmstand than a grocery store!

Pattern Notes
Hat and mitts both start with a striped linen stitch pattern to reflected the mottled colors of an heirloom ear of corn. The textured stitch pattern grows organically from this and is surrounded by rustic garter stitch both at the top of the hat and in the thumb gusset.

Sizes
Hat Circumference: 19.25 (21, 22.75)”
Meant to be worn with 0-1” positive ease
Depth: 6.75 (7.25, 7.5)”

Mitts Circumference: 6.75 (9)”
Meant to be worn with 0-1” negative ease
Length: 8 (10)”

Materials
Brooklyn Tweed Loft
MC Long Johns; 1 skein
CC Hayloft; 1 skein
1 set US #2/2.75mm double-point needles
1 set US #4/3.5mm double-point needles
2 stitch markers
Stitch holder or waste yarn
Yarn needle

Gauges
Linen stitch gauge 24 sts and 56 rows per 4” square on smaller needles.
Corn Ear stitch gauge 23 sts and 39 rows per 4” square on larger needles.
Corn Ear stitch gauge 25 sts and 44 rows per 4” square on smaller needles.

Required Skills
Basic knitting skills
Knitting in the round
Increases/decreases
Preferred method to cast on in middle of work
Slipped stitches
Picking up stitches