I originally using this pattern as a fundraiser for Kamala Harris. After I released it, 10 people let me know they had donated. A few told me how much ($190 total) but most did not. I’m estimating it was more than $400 when all was said and done. And that was just among the folks who told me - there may have been others who didn’t. To everyone - A HUGE THANK YOU!!!!

Note: This pattern has not (yet!) been tech-edited, and it has only been partially tested. I’m eventually planning to have it professionally edited. I’m a tech writer by trade and have been all over this pattern many times so it should be pretty good, but no one is perfect at editing their own work. So, if you find an error, I’d LOVE it if you’d let me know ASAP so I can fix it sooner rather than later.

This pattern was inspired by J. Howard Miller’s 1942 “We Can Do It!” poster featuring Rosie the Riveter wearing the famous red headscarf with white polka-dots.

During WW2, millions of men were sent overseas, leaving labor shortages stateside, and American women rose to the occasion and began doing traditionally-male jobs. Even women who didn’t work outside the home entered the workforce (some for the first time), making massive contributions to the American economy and the war effort, and helping the Allies win the war.

Today, Rosie is a feminist icon representing modern women striving not just to get by, but also their efforts to create a world in which we are equal partners to the men in our lives, that we can do anything we set our minds to … even holding the highest office in our land.

This headscarf is suitable for an advanced beginner or intermediate knitter, is knitted flat from the bottom up, and is intended to be custom-fit to the wearer as you knit it (so I recommend you use a 24”/70cm circular needles rather than long straights). If you don’t wish to measure as you go, the pattern also provides other simple methods to get a proper fit. The white polka-dots are represented with beads (I like the white pearlescent ones as a nod to the pearls women have been wearing for generations, but any color is fine), and the border and ties are knitted in seed stitch to echo the original off-set polka-dot design.

The pattern includes:

• Two different very simple lace patterns to choose from (a plain one that looks more like the poster and a diamond lace pattern that hints at a bandanna).
• a three-tie version that allows you to tie it at the top of the head as Rosie does and at the nape, and a simpler two-tie version that ties only at the nape.
• Both written and charted instructions.
• Blank chart for your own designs.
• Links to technique tutorials.

Gauge/Yarn: The pattern is designed to be knit in the gauge of your choice, in the yarn weight of your choice, from fingering up to heavy worsted. For most people one 100-gram skein/ball will be sufficient (my worsted samples have all been around 180 yards/165m). My cotton-linen fingering version used about 60 grams. If you need to contain a lot of hair, or the person has a bigger head, then you might want to get additional yarn.

Beads: You’ll need 60-120 beads (depending on gauge and FO size). If using DK up through heavy worsted, I recommend plastic pony beads (6x9mm with 4mm hole), which can be ordered online (Amazon and other retailers carry them) or purchased from any craft store such as Joanne’s or Michaels. If using fingering up through sport, you should use a very large seed beed (I like the glass #2 Rocaille, which has a 1.5-1.7mm hole). You will also need the beading tool of your choice. If using a crochet hook, you will need an F (3.25mm) for pony beads, and if using #2 seed beads, you’ll need a 0.6 mm or 0.75 mm hook.

Tutorials and More Info:
You can find more information, plus links to techniques and tutorials on my blog, here: https://www.tellmeayarn.com/2024/08/the-riveter.html