Lots of people slow their knitting in summer. Not me. Warm weather is the time to try out great alternatives to wool and see what they’re like. Ever since I picked up a hank of hemp, I’ve been looking forward to trying this fiber. Hemp is funky, a little bit twiney and stiff when knitting, but the finished fabric is wonderful. Similar in texture to linen, the drape is dreamy and makes a cool fabric on a hot day.

Yup, hemp is the same plant as marijuana—but fiber farmers only use certified low-THC (the psychoactive component) varieties of the plant. For thousands of years hemp was used to make products like paper, rope, canvas, and textiles. Hemp is so old, it’s new again.

Maryjane is knit seamlessly from the top down in distinct striping sequences. After a long grey winter, who wouldn’t like to see some color?

PATTERN INFO
Sizes
XS(S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X)

Finished Measurements
Chest: 31.25(35, 37.25, 41.25, 45, 48.75, 53.25, 57.25, 61, 64.75) inches/ 79.5(89, 94.5, 104.5, 114.5, 124, 135.5, 145, 155, 164.5) cm

Length: 19.25(20.25, 20.75, 22, 22.75, 23.75, 25.25, 26.5, 27.75, 28.75) inches/ 49(51.5, 52.5, 56, 58, 60.5, 64, 67.5, 70.5, 73) cm

Materials
Yarn
Hemp for Knitting, allhemp6 100% hemp; 165 yd/150 m per 3.5 oz/100 g skein; color:
(MC) Sapphire 018 2(2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) skeins
(CC1) Pumpkin 022 2(2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) skeins
(CC2) Classic 012 2(2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) skeins

Recommended needle size
always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter’s gauge is unique
US #4/3.5 mm circular needle, 16 inches/40 cm long
US #4/3.5 mm circular needle, 32 to 60 inches/80 to 150 cm long
US #3/3.25 mm circular needle, 16 inches/40 cm long
US #3/3.25 mm circular needle, 32 to 60 inches/80 to 150 cm long

Notions
5 stitch markers, with 1 unique marker
waste yarn or ribbon
yarn needle

Gauge
21 sts/29 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch