The US Revolutionary War began in Lexington, Massachusetts with the “shot heard ‘round the world” in April of 1775. Today, it’s a peaceful suburban town visited by sightseers and history buffs from around the globe. While touring the historic homes, taverns, and battle fields you can’t help noticing all the stone walls. Sometimes the stone walls are topped with wooden rails in a criss-cross formation called “stone and rider” fences. These fences needed to be “horse high, bull strong, and hog tight”. They were effective for keeping animals in, and out. The “X” pattern on my Lexington hat and mittens is based on these ingenious colonial fences.

This knitting pattern contains instructions for both the hat and mittens. They both feature a double cuff, so they are extra warm. You can use whichever color you like for the brim and cuff lining, the main or contrast color, or use a third color. Make them with just the criss-cross pattern on the cuffs and a plain top, or you can add the pretty “lice” pattern on top. (Yes, it’s really called lice because it looks like little insects.) The mittens have a peasant thumb with no gusset, which I think is the simplest thumb to make. There are instructions to make the thumb using a stitch holder, or you can use the afterthought thumb method, if you know how. The pattern is charted, and I’ve included charts with both the dark color and the light color dominant. I find it much easier to work from charts that show the same color values I’m using. I think you will, too.

❤️Materials
Worsted Weight Yarn in colors A and B
US Size 7 needles, circular or double pointed
Stitch holder or waste yarn
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle

❤️Gauge
5 stitches and 6 rows = 1 inch in Worsted Yarn on US size 7 needles in Stockinette Stitch

❤️Size
Hat- Adult Large 22 inch head circumference
Mittens- Adult Large 8 inch palm circumference
Please note- Size can be adjusted by changing size of needles and/or yarn. If you need help making calculations please contact me.

Please reach out to me if you need pattern support or any help with your project. I’d absolutely love to help you, just ask!

My patterns are protected by copyright. Please do not reproduce or distribute. Thank you!❤️
Anything you make from my patterns belongs to YOU and can be sold.