blocked issue 9

PRIDE IN OUR CRAFTING HISTORY • WHAT’S NEW PUSSY HAT? • THE PROCRASTINATORY KNITTER
ISSUE 9
THE GREAT BRITISH EMPIRE, LADY CURZON, AND THE PEACOCK DRESS

Unless otherwise indicated the information,
articles, artwork, patterns and photography
published in BLOCKED Magazine are subject
to copyright ©2023 BLOCKED Magazine.
All rights reserved.
BLOCKED Magazine permits the online
distribution of the magazine in its entirety.
Distribution of any of the contents of this
magazine for purposes of sale or resale
is strictly prohibited.
Editor
Neil of Uknitted Kingdom
For all enquiries:
blockedmagazine@gmx.com
Cover Photography
@nthonymusic and @realkerismith
Illustrations
Abby
Contributors:
Cézanne Pellett
Uknitted Kingdom
Land O’Lakes Girl
Kathleen Gerwien @Khgknits
Patterns:
Callum Purvis
Uknitted Kingdom
MillieKM Knits
The Pink Gramingo
Anna Knitter
Proofers:
Cézanne Pellett
Laura Neubauer
Denise Pettus
Design and layouts:
BS Studio

Dear Readers,
No doubt you will have heard by now about my craft-limiting injury.
Whilst attempting to dry my hands with a towel, I foolishly misjudged the distance between the
towel and the open bathroom door upon which it hung. I felt a strange sensation as my knuckles met
the wood of the door. When I looked down the ring finger of my right hand was hanging down and I
couldn’t move it. Apparently, this is a very common injury, and after this form of impact, the tendon
between the distal phalange and middle phalange can become detached. The treatment for this is 6
to 8 weeks of wearing a finger splint and keeping the joint immobile. The hope is the tendon will
reattach itself during that time. It has been a mostly painless experience, presumably as tendons have
no direct blood supply or nerve endings. My only complaint is the awkwardness of the splint, a slight
dull ache, and the time it is going to take to heal.
Knitting, crocheting, and even typing have, although not impossible, been much more difficult
than usual. For example, I am currently dictating this into the software on Microsoft Word. Some of
the interpretations Word has made have been hilarious! Word must not have heard a “charming
accent” like mine before!
I’ve learned a few things about myself during my injury.
1. Where there’s a will to knit or crochet, there’s a way to knit or crochet.
2. I’m not nearly as squeamish as I thought I was.
3. I find one-handed bathroom trips tricky!
Although the process of creativity has been hindered, it hasn’t been stopped.
I would like to be able to blame this issue’s tardiness solely upon the joint of my finger;
however as we all know Blocked tends to keep us all waiting, even during the orderly times.
What’s new in this issue?
The Laziest Knitter is taking a well-earned break and will hopefully be back soon. S/he is
obviously trying to live up to his/her pseudonym.
In this issue, we have 9 patterns, including 5 hats, 2 cowls, a crochet shawl, and a hot water
bottle cover. I did consider delaying the release of the hot water bottle cover until nearer the winter.
That is, until I remembered that winter is already upon our readers in the southern hemisphere.
So, this pattern is specifically for them.
I recently purchased a colorway called Blackety Black from a popular dyer. I’ve been searching
for a sign off for these intros and I think “Blockety Blocked” might be the one.
So, enjoy issue nine!
Blockety Blocked!
Yours faithfully,
Neil
BLOCKETY
3

Pride in
By Cézanne Pellett
OUR CRAFTING HISTORY
“I am embarrassed to admit to all the different crafts
I’ve tried!” I have heard more than one crafter make this
“confession” as she tries to figure out what to do with all
her unused paper crafting supplies, that tatting project
which never got very far, or the macrame wall hanging
that looks like a six-year-old child’s school project.
Recently, when an online friend said this, it hit me
how wrong a thing this is to say, especially for us
women. The crafts that we take part in as hobbies now
were once how our female ancestors cared for their
families and tried to make their homes beautiful. Today,
I can easily go to the store and buy a pair of socks, but
my 3rd-great grandmother who crossed the country in a
handcart in the 1850s didn’t have that option. If a
member of her family needed socks, she had to get
some needles and yarn and get them clicking. When my
11th-great-grandmother, who came to America on the
Mayflower, needed a blanket to keep her child warm,
she couldn’t place an order on Amazon and have it
brought to her door. She had to go through her bag of
saved rags and scraps of cloth and start stitching. Even
my grandmother who raised her children during the
Depression didn’t have the option to run down to Walmart
and get a dress for her daughter but had to find
some fabric to repurpose into that dress, and cotton
flour sacks had plenty of fabric to make into a dress for
a nine-year-old girl.
I grew up in the LDS church, where genealogy and
ancestry are very important, so I’ve heard the stories of
my ancestors my entire life, but it has only been in the
last decade or so that I became really interested in their
lives. This may be because I lost both of my
parents in that time, or because that is
when I reached middle age, and realized
there is probably more of my
life behind me than ahead of me.
Whatever the reason, I have
found myself reading more and
more of the many family histories
that are available to me
and have found some very interesting
things.
I always knew that I had ancestors who came to
America on the Mayflower, and others who came
through Ellis Island, but I don’t really have any who
came more recently than that. I found out that Pocahontas
was my 12th-great grandmother through her daughter
with her first, native husband, before she went back
to Europe. In addition to this Native American ancestry, I
have ancestors from the British Isles, Scandinavia, and
all over Europe, but the most recent of my ancestors to
come to the United States came here 150 years ago. So,
when I call myself a full-blooded American, it is because
I think that is the most accurate description of my ancestry.
The land the house I now live in sits on is the land
that my ancestor first settled in the late 1800s, not long
after the first white settlers came to this area. The ancestor
I heard about the most in my life was my 2nd-greatgrandfather,
and while I knew his wife’s name was
Abigail, I didn’t really know too much about her. Recently,
I became interested in joining the organization
The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. One of the requirements
is to write up a short biography of one of your
Utah pioneer ancestors. I began poking around for information
and discovered that Abigail’s oldest daughter
had written an incredible history of her mother. It covered
everything from how Abigail’s grandfather washed
up on the Canadian shores in the late 18th century and
never said how he got there, to how Abigail was the last
of the first pioneers to come to this area to die and lived
the longest, until the age of 89. Abigail is pictured in
this article with her daughter, granddaughter, and
great-grandson, in a photo which was taken about
1911.
Abigail’s husband died nearly
three decades before she did,
and rather than moving in with
one of her adult children, as
was the common practice for
widows in those days, she
stayed in her own home and
supported herself. She was a
Continued on next page...
4

Crafting History Continued...
gifted seamstress, could make simple shoes from fabric
attached to old leather soles, and was a baker whose
baked goods were renowned throughout the area. The
thing she made the most, however, was knitted lace. She
would create the most beautiful, intricate lace trims,
doilies, and tablecloths which she then sold to the local
store in exchange for the necessities of daily living. Abigail’s
daughter even records that her mother once received
$5 for a two-foot section of lace trim in the late
1900s, which would be the equivalent of over $150
today.
I’ve always admired my ancestors, from the ones I
knew, such as my grandmothers who lived through the
Depression, all the way back to the ones who got on a
boat and headed for a world as unknown to them as if I
were to find myself on Mars, but I think I admire Abigail
the most. That may be because I now know so much
about her, but I think it is because I identify with her the
most. She spent the majority of her life living in the same
place I do, but at that time, it would be almost unrecognizable
as the city I now live in. In the pictures I’ve seen
of her, she always seemed to have this sly little smirk, like
she was laughing at some joke only she was aware of and
it is the same smirk that I have seen on the faces of my
siblings, children, and even my own face from time to
time. But I think the thing that has made her the most real
to me is knowing that she supported herself for nearly 30
years by doing something that I myself love doing. She
did this at a time when options for women to support
themselves were limited, especially in the very remote
place she lived, and did so while keeping that smile on
her face.
Fiber arts especially were a large part of everyday life
for women and men who lived not so many years removed
from us in the 21st century. Fiber was actually the
main reason the area I now live in was originally settled in
the 1860s. I plan to learn and pass on as much about the
precious skills we have the privilege of carrying on,
whether we are descended from pioneers or not. I hope
that we can all learn to honor the traditions which have
been passed down to us from so many generations of
our ancestors. Even if paper piercing, tatting, or macrame
doesn’t work out for you, don’t berate yourself for not excelling
at the attempt, but honor the attempt and move
on to something new.
Continued on next page...
The pictures of lace included with this article were not
made by Abigail. The white and blue lace table cover
was made by my great-grandmother in the 1960s and
the solid white lace was created by Florence Matilda
Bowler Truman in about 1900 and is on display at The
Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum. I would love to
be able to find a picture of Abigail’s lacework. I know I
probably could never recreate it myself, but just being
able to see the kind of work she did would be amazing. I
am so glad that her daughter took the time to speak to
her mother about her life and record that information so
that a century later, I could learn about a woman I never
had the chance to meet, but still saw in my grandmother
and father’s lives and faces and can also see in my own
face and those of my siblings and children.
5

Crafting History Continued...
Whether you are descended from those
who created beautiful lace, spun fiber into
thread, raised and sheared sheep, worked
on a factory floor milling fiber in massive
quantities, or have no idea if your ancestors
did these things, embrace your crafting
for what it is: a memory from the past
that still holds a special and important
place in our lives, even in the 21st century.
6

CHALLENGE 2023
Every year a certain allegedly educational cable
network airs a weeklong schedule of shark related programming.
The intention is to educate viewers about
the much-maligned elasmobranchii. Politically Incorrect
Knitters are taking this week of nonsensical celebration
to throw a summer extravaganza of a knitting
challenge, where EVERYONE WINS! Details below:
Cast on: Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Bind off or frog:
By midnight eastern time, Tuesday, July 18, 2023
The project is entirely your choice. However, be
realistic about what you can create in one week. Hats,
socks, a simple shawl, and gloves are all good options.
If you choose something you know you can make
easily within a week, up the challenge: Try it with fair
isle, double knitting, cabled, or another technique
you’ve yet to try.
Please declare what you intend to make on
Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
However, by agreeing to take part, if you do not
complete your declared item by Tuesday, July 18, you
MUST rip out the guts of your entire project (yes, we
need picture/video evidence). Cheating by not frogging
your unfinished wip is the only thing that will disqualify
you, so choose your project carefully!
The best part is, EVERYONE'S A WINNER!!! All participants
will receive an “I beat Shark Week” sticker OR
an “I was bitten by shark week” sticker, along with
stickers from other affiliated podcasts. There will also
be one grand prize winner chosen of those who completed
the challenge.
IN ORDER TO ENTER, please send your Name, Address,
what you will be knitting, and any social media
profiles you will be posting about this event on (#piksharkchallenge
) to:
politicallyincorrectknitters@gmail.com with the word
“Shark” in the subject line. Your address will only be
used for receiving prizes. You will also be invited to our
Shark Week Telegram chat and receive an invite to a
private group zoom call sometime during the week.
You will receive one entry for finishing
and extra entries for:
- Making a shark related item.
- Using shark-related yarn.
- Using a shark related knitting bag/stitch marker.
- A photo of your WIP with a shark TV show on the
screen behind.
Winners will be chosen at random from the list of
participants who finished in time.
Please stay tuned for special bags from Delightful
Works, and special Shark Week Programming and
livestreams from your favorite podcasts.
Most of all, we would like to thank YOU, the viewer,
without whom our channels, businesses, and events
like this would not be possible.
Thank you to all the
affiliates and sponsors!
7

HURRICANE
SLOUCH
Designed by Callum Purvis
YARN & MATERIALS
(approximately 120 yards of either):
• Adult - Aran/Worsted (recommended for looser fit or larger size)
- Blue-Green hat: Berroco Vintage in color #5194 Breezeway
(52% Acrylic/40% Wool/8% Nylon 3.5 oz/100 g 218 yds/199 m)
Used 125 yds
- Dark grey hat: Lion Brand Heartland in color
#148 Great Smoky Mountains
(100% Acrylic 5 oz/142 gr 251 yd/230 m) Used 118 yd.
• Teen – DK (recommended for petite or teen sizes)
- Light grey hat: Bernat Softee Baby in color Grey Marl
(100% Acrylic 5 oz/140 g 362 y/331 m)
Worked to same length measurement before crown as
large size, you can decrease the height by an inch or two
if you want it to be smaller or not as slouchy - Used 127 yd
NEEDLES
40 cm/16” circular needles, or whatever method you prefer.
• Adult - 4mm (US size 6) needles
- 5mm (US size 8) needles
• Teen - 3.75 mm (US size 5) needles
- 4.5 mm (US size 7) needles
SIZES
• Adult (Worsted): Head circumference approximately 56-61cm/22-24”, Height 29cm/11.5”
• Teen (DK): Head circumference approximately 51-56cm/20-22”, Height 25 cm/10”
GAUGE
• Worsted on 5mm (US size 8) needles in stockinette - 16 sts x 24 rounds = 10 cm/4”x4”
• DK on size 4.5mm (US size 7) needles in stockinette - 19 sts x 26 rounds = 10 cm/4”x4”
TERMS
* *(set of asterisks) - repeat instructions between two *
K2tog - knit two stitches together.
K3tog - knit three stitches together.
8
DIRECTIONS
BRIM
Using smaller needles, cast on 96 stitches, join in the round, place stitch marker to mark beginning of round.
Round 1: *K2, P2*
Work ribbing for 15 rounds.
Continued on next page...

Hurricane Slouch Continued...
DIRECTIONS
BODY
Switch to larger needles.
Round 1: *YO, K2tog*
Repeat until the piece measures 20 cm/7.8” in total
length, feel free to add more if you like extra slouch.
(Note: All stitches will end up knitted worked into a
K2tog stitch. Every K2tog stitch should have a yarn over
stitch directly in front of it.)
CROWN
Round 1: *(YO, K2tog) 5X, K2tog* (88 sts rem)
Round 2: *(YO, K2tog) 5X, K1*
Round 3: *(YO, K2tog) 4X, YO, K3tog* (80 sts rem)
Round 4: *YO, K2tog*
Round 5: *(YO, K2tog) 4X, K2tog* (72 sts rem)
Round 6: *(YO, K2tog) 4X, K1*
Round 7: *(YO, K2tog) 3X, YO, K3tog* (64 sts rem)
Round 8: *YO, K2tog*
Round 9: *(YO, K2tog) 3X, K2tog* (56 sts rem)
Round 10: *(YO, K2tog) 3X, K1*
Round 11: *(YO, K2tog) 2X, YO, K3tog* (48 sts rem)
Round 12: *YO, K2tog*
by Yelena of Scythia
Round 13: *(YO, K2tog) 2X, K2tog* (40 sts rem)
Round 14: *(YO, K2tog) 2X, K1*
Round 15: *YO, K2tog, YO, K3tog* (32 sts rem)
Round 16: *YO, K2tog*
Round 17: *YO, K2tog, K2tog* (24 sts rem)
Round 18: *YO, K2tog, K1*
Round 19: *YO, K3tog* (16 sts rem)
Round 20: *YO, K2tog*
Round 21: *K2tog* (8 sts rem)
Cut yarn and thread through all remaining stitches,
remove from needles and pull closed. Sew in all ends.
9

DISHIDENT #11
by UKnitted Kingdom
PATTERN DESCRIPTION
Each issue of Blocked will contain a ‘secret’ pattern.
The design will only be revealed as you knit. The
instructions might uncover an image; a design, or
a word/message.
When using cotton these secret squares make
excellent dishcloths. If you make 4 or 5 of each square
in wool or acrylic they can be seamed together at the
end of the year to make a small Afghan or lap blanket.
GAUGE & MATERIALS
Each dishident uses approximately 41 to 43g of
worsted weight 100% cotton. Follow the yarn
manufacturer’s recommended needle size.
DIRECTIONS
← Row 1 [RS]: k45
→ Row 2 [WS]: k45
← Row 3 [RS]: k45
→ Row 4 [WS]: k45
← Row 5 [RS]: k45
→ Row 6 [WS]: k45
← Row 7 [RS]: k45
→ Row 8 [WS]: k4, p1, k1, p2, (k5, p7) 2X, k5, p2, k1, p1, k4
← Row 9 [RS]: k45
→ Row 10 [WS]: k4, p1, k11, p1, k10, p3, k9, p2, k4
← Row 11 [RS]: k45
→ Row 12 [WS]: k8, (p5, k7) 2X, p5, k8
← Row 13 [RS]: k45
→ Row 14 [WS]: k4, p17, k1, p6, k1, p4, k2, p6, k4
← Row 15 [RS]: k27, p3, k15
→ Row 16 [WS]: k6, p2, (k5, p7) 2X, k5, p2, k6
← Row 17 [RS]: k45
→ Row 18 [WS]: k4, p1, k11, p1, k10, p3, k9, p2, k4
← Row 19 [RS]: k45
→ Row 20 [WS]: k8, (p5, k7) 2X, p5, k8
← Row 21 [RS]: k45
10

Dishident Continued...
→ Row 22 [WS]: k4, p6, k1, p4, k2, p5, k3, p3, k2, p4, k3,
p3, k5
← Row 23 [RS]: k45
→ Row 24 [WS]: k6, p2, k5, p7, k5, p3, k1, p3, k5, p1, k1,
p2, k4
← Row 25 [RS]: k45
→ Row 26 [WS]: k4, p1, k11, p1, k10, p3, k9, p2, k4
← Row 27 [RS]: k45
→ Row 28 [WS]: k8, p5, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p5, (k2, p1)
2X,(k1, p2) 2X, k8
← Row 29 [RS]: k45
→ Row 30 [WS]: k4, p2, k2, p1, k5, p1, k18, (p2, k1) 2X,
p2, k4
← Row 31 [RS]: k45
→ Row 32 [WS]: k4, p1, k2, p1, k3, p1, k1, p3, k17, p1, k2,
p2, k7
← Row 33 [RS]: k45
→ Row 34 [WS]: k4, p13, k15, p9, k4
← Row 35 [RS]: k45
→ Row 36 [WS]: k4, p14, k13, p10, k4
← Row 37 [RS]: k45
→ Row 38 [WS]: k4, p14, k12, p11, k4
← Row 39 [RS]: k45
→ Row 40 [WS]: k4, p14, k11, p12, k4
← Row 41 [RS]: k45
→ Row 42 [WS]: k4, p14, k10, p13, k4
← Row 43 [RS]: k45
→ Row 44 [WS]: k4, p14, k9, p14, k4
← Row 45 [RS]: k45
→ Row 46 [WS]: k4, p14, k7, p16, k4
← Row 47 [RS]: k45
→ Row 48 [WS]: k4, p14, k5, p18, k4
← Row 49 [RS]: k45
→ Row 50 [WS]: k4, p14, k3, p20, k4
← Row 51 [RS]: k45
→ Row 52 [WS]: k4, p37, k4
← Row 53 [RS]: k45
→ Row 54 [WS]: k4, p37, k4
← Row 55 [RS]: k45
→ Row 56 [WS]: k4, p37, k4
← Row 57 [RS]: k45
→ Row 58 [WS]: k45
← Row 59 [RS]: k45
→ Row 60 [WS]: k45
← Row 61 [RS]: k45
→ Row 62 [WS]: k45
Bind off.
ABBREVIATIONS
CO Cast on
k Knit
p Purl
TIPS
If preferred, slip the first OR the last stitch of every row to
create a neater edge. When purling a stitch immediately
after knitting a stitch; pull the excess yarn out of the purl
stitch before knitting or purling on. This helps to reduce
loose/baggy knit stitches.
NOTES
Occasionally a dishident or secret square might not be
suitable for children and ‘polite company’. Where this is
the case it will be made clear.
If you would like to receive notifications of our next issue!
Check out our Patreon!
www.patreon.com/join/BlockedMagazine
11

WHAT’S
NEW
Pussy Hat?
By Uknitted Kingdom
Almost a decade ago, In 2014, Andi of Andresueknits
designed her free “Cutest and Simplest Hat Pattern
Ever”.
https://andresueknits.wordpress.com/2014/10/08/kitkat-hat-pattern/
The KitKat Hat was created after Andi’s youngest
daughter asked for a cat-eared beanie to match her
cat.
Knit in the round, with worsted weight yarn, Andi’s
hat is designed to be a quick knit for experienced
knitters, and an accessible yet stretching pattern for
newbies.
Fast forward two years to late 2016.
Jayna Zweiman, Krista Suh, and designer Kat Coyle
collaborated to create a pink hat for people
to wear at the January 2017 “Women’s March” in
Washington DC.
The hat, designed by Kat Coyle, was a simple
rectangle sewn up the sides with the corners creating
“cat ears.” On the official Pussyhat website
https://www.pussyhatproject.com/our-story the
following statement can be found:
‘“The name Pussyhat was chosen in part as a
protest against vulgar comments Donald Trump
made about the freedom he felt to grab women’s
genitals, to de-stigmatize the word “pussy” and
transform it into one of empowerment, and to highlight
the design of the hat’s ‘pussycat ears.’
The trio had created a movement based upon a
misinterpretation of the infamous private conversation
Donald Trump had with Billy Bush of Access
Hollywood. “‘
I could argue for the rights of men to talk about
women’s bodies. I could compare it to how women
talk about men’s bodies. Instead, I will just say that in
my experience of working in majority male environments,
and in majority female environments, both
sexes compliment and insult the opposite sex based
upon their physical attractiveness, bodies, and desirability.
What men say about women privately, and what
women say about men privately, cannot be policed,
nor should it be. Yes, some individuals may not participate,
but if you are honest with yourself, you probably
have, at some point, made a lewd comment about
someone without them knowing. Imagine if those private
conversations had been recorded and then aired
to the world. Then, imagine you had recorded yourself
naked in some very incriminating illegal situations and
then left the photos on a laptop you forgot was being
fixed.
Those at the Women’s March were simply angry
that their candidate didn’t win the 2016 presidential
election. From that day to this, Donald Trump’s opponents
have deliberately misinterpreted, exaggerated,
lied, and slandered him in an attempt to remove him
as President and prohibit him from standing for reelection.
If the outrage was truly about misogyny,
marches and protests would have been held against
the Bidens and at least one member of the Clinton
family!
To get back to the pattern. During the lead up to
the march, Andi noticed that her KitKat Hat pattern became
very popular. The pattern was downloaded more
than 14,000 times in one month.
I asked Andi if she felt her pattern had been
hijacked by the movement. She replied,
‘“I wouldn't say
that I felt like my pattern
was hijacked. It
simply was strange to
see it being used for a
political movement
that I wasn't a part of. I
didn't mind at the
time but afterwards, it
was clear that my pattern
would forever be
associated with that
movement. Other
knitters have remarked
to me how
sad they were that my
child's hat pattern
12

could no longer be enjoyed without the association.
Even my own daughter didn't want to wear
the hat anymore. She understood that it was now a
political symbol.
It's remarkable to me that the same people
who used my free pattern to express their political
opinions would not allow me the same freedom of
expression and mobbed me online for my support
of a marginalized gay male knitting designer
[Sockmatician] who had been harassed to the
point of a mental breakdown.
It wasn't upsetting that my pattern was used in
this manner, it was upsetting that the same group
that co-opted my free pattern came after me and
many others while wearing it. What they took and
what they used was the antithesis of what they
claim to stand for.”‘
After discussing with Andi how the hat could be
reclaimed, I adapted Andi’s original pattern to make
adult sized hats using various knitting techniques,
such as duplicate stitch, twisted stitches, and
stranded colorwork.
The designs were inspired by my three cats,
which were labelled “ugly” by the knitwear designer
Gavriella Treminio. Treminio’s attempt to hurt me
through my cats became a hilarious source of inspiration
for me. The “Ugly Cats” moniker evolved into
“Oogly Cats” after being interviewed by Keri Smith,
(@realkerismith @_deprogrammed), of the Deprogrammed
YouTube channel, where she noted my
Northern English pronunciation of the insult.
So, the “Oogly Cat Hats” were born. Each hat is
named after the cat that inspired it, namely, North-
Star, Oli, and Inka. @DeplorableKnitter, @taxtara,
@lilli, and @murderknits tested the prototype patterns
and then knit the final patterns using yarn dyed
especially for the project by Tina of Awenydd Yarn
and Fiber. https://awenyddyarn.com/ Once completed,
the hats were then sent to Keri in Texas,
where she and her husband Anthony took photos
modelling the hats.
I’m fully aware that some of Blocked’s readers will
never accept these hats. It’s completely understandable
when one knows about the hatred and nastiness
that surrounded it in 2017 and beyond. However, for
those with mischievous leanings, in the lead up to the
2024 Presidential election, whenever you see someone
wearing a hat with the KitKat hat silhouette, you
can confidently exclaim, “You knitted an Oogly Cat
Hat!” even if it is pink, crowned with a sewn clitoris,
and framed by quilted labia, atop a blue and purplehaired
they/them menstruator.
13

OOGLY CAT HAT
(NORTHSTAR)
By Uknitted Kingdom adapted from
the KitKat Hat by AndreSueKnits
DESCRIPTION
A worsted weight hat, knit in 2 colours, in the round, and seamed across
the top using the 3-needle bind off technique.
Finished Measurements in inches:
9.75 inches wide by 8.5 inches tall.
YARN
Any worsted weight wool that can knit up into gauge.
50g of MC (light) and 50g of CC (dark).
Awenydd Yarn and Fiber Worsted in the colorway-kit “Northstar”.
GAUGE
5 stitches x 8 rows per inch in stockinette on 5 mm circular needle or DPNs.
NEEDLES
4.5 mm circular or DPNs for the ribbing.
5 mm circular or DPNs for the main body
extra 5 mm needle to bind off.
Tapestry needle
DIRECTIONS
Using CC and smaller circular needle CO 96 stitches. Place marker for
beginning of the round (BOR). Join for working in the round, being
careful not to twist. Follow chart 1 or the Rib instructions for stitches 1-49.
Place marker. Work stitches 50-96 following chart 2.
RIB
Round 1: (K2 in MC, K2 in CC) around.
Round 2 and all subsequent ribbed rows: (k2 in MC, p2 in CC) until piece
measures 3 inches (18 rows) from cast on edge. Stop at the BOR marker.
KNIT BODY
Switch to larger needle and k1, M1, k46, M1, K47. (98 stitches)
Using your paler colour for the MC and your darker colour for the CC,
knit in stockinette following the chart (the chart is in-the-round so
always read each row from right to left.
BIND OFF
Turn your hat inside out. With the wrong side (purl side) on the outside,
and using CC, bind off using the 3-needle bind off technique. This puts
the row of bind off stitches on the inside of your hat.
Using a tapestry needle, weave in all your ends.
PIN DOWN EARS
Turn the hat right-side out. Stitch down each ear in the middle with a
small piece of yarn at the base of the ears shown in chart 2. Use a tapestry
needle to pull the tails to the inside of the hat. Weave in ends.
14
https://andresueknits.wordpress.com/2014/10/08/kitkat-hat-pattern/

Work each
chart from
the bottom
up from
right to left
for each row
indicated.
Chart 1
for
stitches
1-49
OOGLY CAT HAT (NORTHSTAR)
Chart 2 for
stitches
50-96
15

OOGLY
CAT HAT
(OLI)
By
Uknitted Kingdom
adapted from the
KitKat Hat by AndreSueKnits
DESCRIPTION
A worsted weight hat, knit in the round, and seamed
across the top using the 3-needle bind off technique.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
9.75 inches wide by 8.5 inches tall.
YARN
100g of any worsted weight wool that can knit up into gauge.
100g Awenydd Yarn and Fibre in the colorway ‘Oli’.
GAUGE
5 stitches x 8 rows per inch in stockinette
on 5 mm circular needle or DPNs.
OTHER MATERIALS
4.5 mm circular needle or DPNs for the ribbing.
5 mm circular needle or DPNs for the main body of the hat
and an extra 5 mm needle to bind off.
A tapestry needle.
DIRECTIONS
With smaller needles CO 96 and join in the round.
Follow the chart Stitches 1-48 working from right to left. PM.
Follow chart 2 stitches 50-96. Continue working in the round
reading each chart from bottom to top, right to left.
Turn inside out and bind off using the 3 needle method.
16

Work each
chart from
the bottom
up from
right to left
for each row
indicated.
OOGLY CAT HAT (OLI)
Chart 1
for
stitches
1-49
Chart 2 for
stitches
50-98
17

OOGLY CAT HAT
(INKA)
By Uknitted Kingdom adapted from
the KitKat Hat by AndreSueKnits
DESCRIPTION
A worsted weight hat, knit in the round, and seamed across
the top using the 3-needle bind off technique.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
9.75 inches wide by 8.5 inches tall.
YARN
100g Aweydd Yarn and Fiber worsted weight in colorway ‘Inka’
or 100g of any worsted weight wool that can knit up into gauge.
Scrap yarn in lime green, and white.
GAUGE
5 stitches x 8 rows per inch in stockinette on 5 mm circular needle or DPNs.
OTHER MATERIALS
4.5 mm circular needle or DPNs for the ribbing.
5 mm circular needle or DPNs for the main body
Extra 5 mm needle to bind off. Tapestry needle.
DIRECTIONS
With smaller needles CO 96 and join in the round.
Change to larger needles after the ribbing section.
Follow the chart Stitches 1-48 working from right to left. PM.
Follow chart 2 stitches 50-96. Continue working in the round
reading each chart from bottom to top, right to left.
Turn inside out and bind off using the 3 needle method.
Using duplicate stitch sew the eyes https://youtu.be/-cfmjyaaAdw
Turn inside out and bind off using the 3 needle method.
PIN DOWN EARS
Turn the hat right-side out. Stitch down each ear in the middle with a small
piece of yarn at the base of the ears shown in chart 2. Use a tapestry needle
to pull the tails to the inside of the hat. Weave in ends.
18

Work each
chart from
the bottom
up from
right to left
for each row
indicated.
OOGLY CAT HAT (INKA)
Chart 1
for
stitches
1-48
Chart 2
for
stitches
50-96
19

Knitting Patterns, Hand-Dyed Yarns,
Tools, Notions & More!
www.knittymcpurly.com
Hand-dyed yarns, Opal yarns, patterns, tools, and notions.
https://www.etsy.com/de/shop/AnnaKnitterYarns
New Zealand yarn store.
Ships worldwide.
www.skeinz.com
Knitting Patterns
https://www.ravelry.com/designers/liz-clothier
Anne Pinkava
Knitting Patterns
www.lovecrafts.com/en-us/user/maker/fdba7e1e-93b6-4b6f-9f82-06ef18d0ec8c
Knitting Patterns
https://galilee-life.com/vendor/deplorable-knitter/
20

Amigurumi/Crochet Patterns
http://www.yankeerose.etsy.com/
Wise Owl Knits
Knitting Patterns and Tutorials
www.wiseowlknits.com
Karen Juliano
Blogger
& Knitter
Fabrics, Sewing Patterns,
and Tutorials
littleragamuffin.com
Knitting Patterns:
https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-us/user/maker/647c869e-a568-4b05-8fb4-b8f868600ec4
Knitting Patterns and Tutorials
https://www.ravelry.com/stores/birdie-beanie
Love Stitched
https://galilee-life.com/vendor/love-stitched/
21

By Land O’ Lakes Girl
The Procrastinatory Knitter
In our last installment, I was too busy to choose a
knitting pattern because of my ongoing obsession
with English period pieces. Now that I’ve managed to
choose a project, I don’t really have time to make it.
There’s always some excuse—I mean perfectly logical
reason—why I can’t get it off the ground.
I’m knitting Daddy and Me hats for my son and his
daughter even though it’s almost June and the
weather has been close to 90 degrees. He wanted simple,
vanilla hats, but I felt the baby needed texture. I
messed up in putting her hat away one night. The
stitches fell off the DPNs and dropped down about 8
rows (the cat may have helped but there is no proof). I
forgot to give myself a lifeline, and wound up having
to frog the entire thing even though I was decreasing
the top and just about to close it up. She’s now getting
a vanilla hat too, perhaps a few purl rows, maybe a few
YO rows, just so I can get these dang hats finished.
Someday. There’s no rush now that it’s time for sandals
and shorts. Plus, I’m hoping my son will forget about
them entirely. That way I can surprise him with them in
the fall because a surprise is better than waiting
around, isn’t it? “Wow, thank you,” is much nicer than,
“It’s about time.” So, it’s probably best to put them off
for a while—the longer, the better.
One of my new-ish rules of
knitting is that anything I make
these days has to contain something
I’ve never done before, be it a new cast on, a
new stitch, or something else. I did not adhere to that
this time, and the guilt has been suffocating. Who can
knit when there’s guilt? My inner self says things like,
“You’ll never become a better knitter by making vanilla
hats, you should just sell your stash and hang it up.”
I’ve debated just knitting whatever texture pattern I
feel like making, and my son’s opinions on the matter
can rot. Then if it’s not what he likes, he won’t wear it,
and there goes a perfectly gorgeous skein of handdyed
yarn. So, vanilla it is. My inner self needs to take a
seat. She should know my son as well as I do, but she
acts like he’s a total stranger.
Because I like to learn new knitting techniques, I
checked out a book from the library, “The Very Easy
Guide To Cable Knitting” by Lynne Watterson. I haven’t
used it yet because I’ve been sort of busy with the vanilla
hats, but the due date has come and gone once,
and it has been renewed. The time may come when I
need to give it back to the library then turn around and
check it out again. The tips and tricks inside the book
seem easy to follow and if I play my cards right, I might
be able to make a sampler throw out of what I eventually
learn. Maybe I’ll just photocopy a few pages and
staple them together. That way if I don’t get around to
knitting anything until September, I’ll still have the information.
It’s getting to be too hot to seam together a
sampler throw.
The Fitness app on my Apple Watch doesn’t like it
when I take time to knit and is always telling me when
it’s time to stand and move. Knitting is a sitting endeavor
unless I dig deep enough into my self-confidence
and bring a small knitting project to the gym
and work it on a stationary bike, or something. Is
anyone brave enough to knit at the gym?
Another reason I’ve been putting off knitting is because
of all the dinging the watch does, “It’s time to
Continued on next page...
22

Procrastinatory Knitter - Continued from page 18
stand and move.” How does it know if I’m sitting? Waving
my arm around does not fool the Apple Watch. It
knows. It’s scary how it knows. I may need to rethink
owning it if it starts saying things like, “Come on, just a
quick workout. Here is your cab fare,” like the Shake
Weight in the Creme Fraise episode of South Park.
Lately, I have even been putting off writing this article.
My inner self has reminded me multiple times,
“The deadline isn’t until XYZ; you still have lots of time;
don’t worry. Go knit your vanilla hats, dear.”
Today, I was going to get up early and hammer out
a rough draft, but then I got busy updating a friend
about my Mother’s Day, which was kind of a disaster
and probably fodder for another article that’s not related
to knitting.
But first, I had to let our sun parakeets out of the
cage. They scream in my ear, poop on my pajamas,
pop the keys off my keyboard and fly away with them,
and chew things they shouldn’t, so it’s a wonder I can
complete anything at all at my desk. The birds are two
reasons I have not been on top of getting this article
written for Blocked. I’m supposed to be working on
other things as well, but the birds are always causing
issues. Plus they are super cute, and a girl can’t help
but want to talk to them and try to teach them new
things, even if they are really loud and obnoxious.
See, when you are a master of procrastination, everything
can be a reason. Why put off until tomorrow
what you can put off today? I’ve only met one other
person who gave me a high five over that motto, and
I’m not sure that’s a good thing. It means too few
people really understand it. Too few people practice it.
Where are my fellow procrastinators?
23

STATUESQUE
BY MILLIEKM KNITS
MEASUREMENTS & GAUGE:
Approximately 9 in/23 cm in length,
14.5 in/37 cm circumference to fit a head circumference
of 20-23 in/51-58 cm
20 sts and 32 rows over 4 in/10 cm in the body of the hat
pattern using US 8/5mm needles, blocked
YARN
Worsted weight yarn, approximately 142 yds/130 meters (50g)
Suggested Yarn:
Woolfolk Far (100% Ovis 21 Ultimate Merino) in color #31
NEEDLES
Brim: US 6/4mm 32 in. circulars
Body: US 8/5mm 32 in. circulars
US 8/5mm preferred needles for knitting small circumference
NOTIONS
Stitch Marker / Cable Needle / Tapestry Needle
/ Scissors / Blocking Materials
GLOSSARY
CO – Cast On
Sts - Stitches
K – Knit
P – Purl
K2tog – Knit 2 together
P2tog – Purl 2 together
SSK – Slip, slip, knit (slip the first stitch as if to purl and the second stitch
as if to knit. Return to the left needle and knit together through the back loop)
CB6 – Cable 6 Back (slip 3 stitches onto cable needle and hold in back, knit 3
stitches, then knit the 3 stitches off the cable needle)
CB4 – Cable 4 Back (slip 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold in back, knit 2
stitches, then knit the 2 stitches off the cable needle)
Asterisk (*) – Repeat what is between the two *
PATTERN NOTES
The completed hat will fit snuggly on the head. The pattern repeat is worked
7 times per round. You can easily adjust the circumference by adding or
subtracting 12 stitches. Additional length can be added in the brim.
24

PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS
BRIM:
CO 84 sts using US 6/4mm needles.
Place stitch marker and join in the round
*K2, P2 (2x2 rib) for 2 inches
SETUP ROUND
Switch to US 8/5mm needles *K6, P6**
BODY
1. *CB6, P6 *
Rounds 2 – 7 *K6, P6 *
8. *CB6, P6 *
Rounds 9 – 21 *K6, P6 *
22. *CB6, P6 *
Rounds 23 – 28 *K6, P6*
29. *CB6, P6*
Rounds 30 – 39 *K6, P6*
DECREASES
Use US 8/5mm preferred needles for knitting small circumference.
1. *K6, P2tog, P2, P2tog* (14 sts decreased, 70 remaining)
2. *K6, P4*
3. *SSK, K2, K2tog, P4* (14 sts decreased, 56 remaining)
4. *CB4, P4*
5. *K4, P2tog, P2* (7 sts decreased, 49 remaining)
6. *K4, P3*
7. *K4, P1, P2tog* (7 sts decreased, 42 remaining)
8. *K4, P2*
9. *SSK, K2tog, P2* (14 sts decreased, 28 remaining)
10. *K2, P2tog* (7 sts decreased, 21 remaining)
11. *K2tog, P1* (7 sts decreased, 14 remaining)
12. *K2tog* (7 sts decreased, 7 remaining)
FINISHING:
Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, and close the top of
the hat.
Weave in ends, block, and top with a pom-pom if desired.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: @millekmknits
Tag your progress and your finished hat!
#milliekmknits #statuesque
Contact me: kristyn@slowdownlivesimply.com
25

Kathleen Gerwien, aka khgknits
Book Review:
SELECTING SWEATER PATTERNS FOR
WOMEN'S BODY SHAPES AND SIZES
Are you ever overwhelmed by the pattern options
available when selecting your next knitting project, including
a sweater pattern? There are so many resources
available today to find patterns. Add to that,
there are so many patterns available through these
resources. As of 5/16/2023, Ravelry has 731,281 patterns
online, of which 156,218 are sweaters. How do
you select the best pattern for you?
Of course, begin by setting the criteria for the
pattern you want, yet selecting your criteria for the
pattern you want can be challenging as well. What if
your body shape and size does not match that of the
models in the source you are using for finding patterns?
In addition, how do you deal with any negative
thoughts you may have regarding your body shape
and size when you are selecting a sweater pattern?
I could write a book about my body shape, the
wide (no pun intended) range of sizes I have been in
my life, and my thoughts about those shapes and
sizes. I bet most women and many men can do the
same. As knitters, we want to knit beautiful sweaters
we can wear that flatter us and help us feel good
about ourselves when we wear them. There are several
books available on the subject of pattern selection
to flatter a specific body shape. The following is
not an exhaustive review of all the books on the market
regarding selecting sweater sizes and fit but a review
of two books: “Knit to Flatter”
and “Big Girl Knits”. Both books are
written by well respected members of
the knitting community. I will give information
on the authors as well as
Amazon links to the books at the end
of the article.
“Knit to Flatter”, written by Amy
Herzog, provides a detailed approach
to determine your body type, a
method for measuring your body to
determine that type, explanations for each body
type, and how to select patterns and features to flatter
each one. I found the directions on taking measurements
with a friend very helpful. The book includes a
measuring template to copy and use each time you
knit a sweater to help you make decisions regarding
size selection and modifications. This book and its
methodology applies to small, medium and large
women. Once you determine your body type, the
book provides sweater patterns designed to flatter
that type. There are 21 sweater patterns in the book.
The book includes suggestions for modifying the patterns,
where to make the modifications, how difficult
they can be to execute, and how modifications affect
other parts of the sweater.
“Big Girl Knits”, written by Jillian Moreno and Amy
R. Singer, is a quick read with a witty approach to our
often negative thoughts about our body shapes and
sizes for women like me who, for a good portion of
my life, have not conformed to the Twiggy body
shape. The book gives great ideas on what types of
sweater designs and construction techniques to use
and to avoid for those of us who are larger. The book
provides instruction on how to measure accurately,
again with the help of a friend, and determine which
parts of your body you want to flatter and which parts
not to accentuate. This book also includes a measuring
template that can be copied to
use each time you knit a sweater.
The book includes 25 sweater designs
and advises which designs
flatter those of us with larger
chests, larger waists and/or larger
hips. I particularly enjoyed and was
inspired by the authors’ comments
regarding color selection for your
hand knit sweaters. I can make this
statement as I am the women who
Continued on next page...
26

Book Review Continued...
has worn black and deep Navy blue pants and
dresses since I started gaining weight in my midforties
going on the assumption that deep, dark
colors make me look thinner.
The biggest comparisons I draw from the two
books is “Knit to Flatter” addresses small, medium
and large women written in a more traditional tone,
and " “Big Girl Knits” focuses on women with larger
bodies specifically and is written in a witty tone."
Both offer good directions on measuring, supply
body measurement templates, and provide good explanations
of what type of pattern features and construction
methods to select for sweater patterns that
flatter each size and shape. In addition, both books
offer a number of stylish patterns and advise which
patterns flatter which body shapes.
If you use either book, I recommend following
the measuring exercises in the books. I had been a
pear shape all of my adult life, regardless of my
weight. At 115 pounds, I had a medium sized bust, a
small waist and larger hips. I was the same shape at
175 pounds. After middle age hit and I had both
gained and lost weight, I did the measuring exercise
in the “Knit to Flatter” book and was astounded to realize
I was no longer a pear shape. Now I am proportional
with less differentiation between the bust,
waist and hips.
Each of the three authors is well recognized in
the knitting and fiber arts world. Amy Herzog is the
author of “Knit Wear Love”, “Knit to Fit”, “You Can Knit
That” and “The Ultimate Sweater Book” and developed
the “Custom Fit” website. The “Custom Fit”
website helps knitters generate the pattern instructions
for a specific pattern purchased from the website.
The “Custom Fit” website will generate the
instructions for the size you need, using the yarn and
the gauge you select for the specific pattern. Amy
Herzog has retired from the commercial knitting
world. I am biased toward’s “Knit to Flatter” as I own
a copy of this book and have used it successfully to
determine my current body type and have knit a
beautifully fitting and flattering sweater using this
book’s methodology and a pattern from the book.
Jillian Moreno is a fiber arts author and instructor;
KnittySpin editor for the online magazine, Knitty, author
of “Yarnitecture”, and a regular contributor to Ply
and Spin magazines and Modern Daily Knitting’s
website. I am also biased regarding Jillian Moreno. In
2019, I took her Yarnitecture and Maidens in a Row
spinning classes at the Maryland Sheep and Wool
Festival. She is a fantastic spinning instructor, bringing
teaching examples to class, encouraging experimentation
and sharing her overall enthusiasm for
spinning. Completing those two classes changed my
spinning, much for the better.
Amy R. Singer is the editor of the online magazine,
Knitty, and author of “No Sheep for You”, a pattern
book for knitting with non-wool based yarns and
“Knit Wit”, a book with 30 hip knitting projects.
“Knit to Flatter” Amy Herzog, Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2013, available in paperback, hardcopy and Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Knit-Flatter-instructions-youll-sweaters-ebook/dp/
B00J0RP7RK/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=LpYcN&content- id=amzn1.sym.bc5f3394-3b4c-4031-8ac0-
18107ac75816&pf_rd_p=bc5f3394-3b4c-403 1-8ac0-
18107ac75816&pf_rd_r=3PTP6N32XJ1CSHRKHREH&pd_rd_wg=jZ4yb&pd_rd
_r=13f9fd64-a132-488d-8294-9784eb99b56b&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_atf_m
Big Girl Knits” Jillian Moreno and Amy R. Singer, Potter Craft, November 2009, available in paperback, hardcopy
and Kindle https://www.amazon.com/Big-Girl-Knits-Projects-Shaped/dp/0307586375/ ref=asc_df_0307586375?
tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80470624769044&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&
hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584070152867867&psc=1
27

HOT WATER
BOTTLE COZY
BY ANNA KNITTER
This pattern is knit bottom up with circular needles.
The bottle fits easily through the ribbing part when t
he bottle is empty. Fill in the hot water after you put on the cozy.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
70g sportweight (a.k.a. 6ply) sock yarn
Yarn I used: Opal Sweet Dreams color 9726
Gauge: 23 stitches by 31 rows = 10 cm
3 mm circular needles (40 cm)
3mm double pointed needles
SIZE
This cozy will fit a hot-water bottle that measures
approx. 20 cm in width and 33 cm in height
ABBREVIATIONS
k knit
k2tog knit 2 together
ssk slip, slip, knit the slipped stitches together
pm place marker
sm slip marker
DIRECTIONS
Cast on 92 stitches, mark the beginning of the round and close the round. Knit for 22 cm in stockinette.
Close the bottom seem in your preferred method. That way you can put the cozy on the bottle to see if
it fits while your still knitting it.
Now we start to decrease stitches on the sides to create the neck of the bottle. While you do that mark
the sides with a stitch marker so you only have to count once.
FIRST DECREASING ROUND WITH SET UP
Round 1 Knit 20 (that’s to the last 3 stitches of the front side)
k2tog, k1, pm, k1, ssk, k40, k2tog, k1, pm, k1, ssk, k to the end of the round.
Round 2 K one round.
Round 3 K to 3 stitches before marker, k2tog, k1, sm, k1, ssk, k 3 stitches to the next marker,
k2tog, k1, sm, k1, ssk, k to the end of the round.
Round 4 K one round
Repeat round 3 and 4 once more.
Round 5 K to 3 stitches before marker, k2tog, k1, sm, k1, ssk, k 3 stitches to the next marker,
k2tog, k1, sm, k1, ssk, k to the end of the round.
Repeat round 5 five times more.
Round 6 K2, p2for approx. 14 cm.
Bind off stretchy in ribbing.
28

Bloggers
& Vloggers
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Adventures With Yarn - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbFHj9k5Uxc44g1pnlgiQjg
For all the latest drama in the fibre world – Fun, quirky, and full of energy.
Anna Knitter - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkE2h6s400fRkasl6zyX_jg
A podcast about knitting and crocheting with glimpses of a roman-catholic life.
Blocked Magazine - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAY880IYHF8gJ8b-UdEWAxQ
For all the latest drama in the fibre world – including what didn’t make it into the magazine!
Deprogrammed - https://www.youtube.com/c/KeriSmithDeprogrammed/featured
Interviews intended to better understand and make sense of her old belief system, Social Justice ideology. Including those in the crafting community.
Herd knitunity - https://herdknitunity.locals.com/
Shepherd and ‘woolfluencer’, a sheep to sweater kinda gal.
Knitty McPurly - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyIInmPUQGqoohNgUj0Zmow
A virtual saint!
Little Ragamuffin - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaogzXKmOJ9FO8fsjurrEcw/videos
Sewing tutorials of both slow paced and quick speed styles, fun random sewing oddities, Ragamuffin news, and problematic interviews & conversations.
Murder Knits - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbrSeXmJuT0_BglI_pzi1jg
If your children watch, they'll become serial killers!
Politically Incorrect Knitters - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm8CME6h72cFfQ7ZBNGCj5w
Topical, informative, and fun!
Skeinz Diaries - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCswGNOSxnHlPZsQMCC2YHxQ
Take off your ‘gummies’, put your feet up and prepare for a ‘tiki tour’ of yarny goodness!
High Fiber Diet - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQ4cCawQzD6RDfwLhlZ0hQ/featured
Thick skinned with no “F’s Given!”
Two Sisters & Some Yarn - https://www.youtube.com/c/TwoSistersAndSomeYarn
Two sisters and some yarn – is exactly what it says on the tin!
Wise Owl Knits - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg8N6NhDdKf44_HigLiP4Ug
Knitting Tutorials
ShaunaStitches - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCOfV6wkBgB6288iVQ1V9Ww/videos
Knitting, spinning, crochet, quilting, and many other crafts are shown and discussed.
AStitchInTheSky - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCxq6HphzSbjU2lb7t8c6Ww/videos
Knitting, sewing and all the things in between!
Texas Peach Knits - https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC1zKQy-8XU8stQfmIzqe92w
Knitting, crochet, sewing and all the things in between!
Short Story Long - https://karensshortstorylong.blogspot.com/search/label/Knitting
Knitting, photography, gardening, quilting, life.
29

TRELLIS
CROCHET
SHAWL
BY THE PINK GRAMINGO
DESCRIPTION
A top down reversable triangular shawl with bobble stitch
‘color pops’ (the bobbles will be on both sides of the shawl).
Materials:
100g 4-ply or fingering weight yarn for the main color and ‘pops’
(see note 1 on yarn choice)
20g 4-ply or fingering weight yarn in a contrast color for the border.
4mm hook
1 locking stitch marker
Tapestry needle
Size and gauge is variable.
ABBREVIATIONS
Bs bobble stitch (yo, insert hook, yo, pull through loop.
Repeat until the color pop ends)
Ch chain
Dc double crochet (US terms)
Sc Single crochet (US terms)
St stitch
V stV stitch (dc1, ch1, dc1 into the top of a dc or turning chain on previous row)
Yo yarn over
NOTES
1. Choose a fingering weight yarn with a small section of color that will ‘pop’ against the rest of the color.
For example, the Rainbows in the Dark colorway by Awenydd Fiber Arts.
2. Always work dcs and V sts into the tops of the dcs on the previous row, not the ch spaces.
3. Start and end each bobble stitch as the color pop starts and ends.
4. The number of dcs in the bobble will be determined by the length of the color pop in your yarn.
5. Each bobble stitch replaces 1 dc even on a leg of the V st or on the center spine.
6. The ch4 turning chain counts as 1 dc.
7. Move stitch marker up each row to maintain the center spine.
8. Ignore color pops for the first 3 rows, or use the contrast border color for the first 3 rows.
DIRECTIONS
Magic ring (or alternatively ch4 and join with a slip stitch to create a ring)
Row 1: ch4, dc1, ch1, dc1 (center st), ch1, dc1, ch1, dc1, turn
Row 2: ch4, dc1, ch1, V st, ch1, dc1 (center st), ch1, V st, ch1, V st, turn
Row 3: ch4, dc1, (ch1, dc1 to last st before center) ch1, V st, ch1, dc1 (center st), ch1, V st, ch1, (dc1, ch1 in
each dc across), V st in ch3 of the turning chain, turn
Continued on next page
30

Trellis Shawl - Continued from page 30
Repeat row 3 adding a bobble stitch at each color pop and
increasing with 3 V sts and a ch4, dc1, every row until yarn
runs out or the shawl is the size you want.
BORDER
Row 1: Join contrast color, ch1, sc into every stitch and
chain space across, turn
Row 2: ch4, skip 2 sts, dc1 into the top of the 3rd sc on the
previous row, (ch1, sk1, dc1, repeat until last st), end with a
dc, turn
Row 3: ch1, sc into every stitch and chain space across
(last sc into ch3 of the turning chain), turn
Row 4: ch1, sc into next 2 sts, (bs with 5 yos, sc in next 5 sts)
repeat until last stitch, sc.
Tie off and weave in loose ends.
31

By Uknitted Kingdom
THE GREAT BRITISH EMPIRE&
The Peacock Dress
In 1890, Mary Victoria Leiter, the 20-year-old
daughter of a wealthy businessman, left her home in
Chicago, Illinois, USA, to be introduced to London society.
There, she met the British member of parliament
for Southport, George Curzon. In 1895, they
married in Washington DC.
In 1898, Curzon accepted the position of Viceroy
of India, was given a peerage, and became Baron
Curzon of Kedleston. As his wife, Mary automatically
became Lady Curzon of Kedleston, the Vicereine of
India. This was the highest position a woman could
hold at the time, making her second only to Queen
Victoria, the Empress of India.
It is commonly believed that the Downton Abbey
character, Cora Crawley, The Countess of Grantham,
was loosely based upon Lady Curzon.
During her tenure as the Vicereine of India, Lady
Curzon achieved many great things. Alongside the
Marchioness of Dufferin, Lady Curzon led medical reforms
throughout India by supplying women doctors
and hospitals specifically for women. Without her intervention,
the greater one-horned rhinoceros of
India would have become extinct. At the time, due to
rampant poaching, only 10 to 20 existed. She declared
Kaziranga a forestry reserve, and it later became
a national park. Over the following 100 years
the rhinos multiplied in relative safety. In 1999, a wildlife
census of the area recorded 1,700 greater onehorned
rhinos.
Both Lord and Lady Curzon valued Indian history,
architecture, and culture. Where he oversaw the restoration
of the Taj Mahal, she, by wearing only Indian-made
fabrics, single-handedly influenced the
fashions of India, Britain, and the capitals of Europe.
By employing and promoting Indian artisans, Lady
Curzon shaped and helped revive skilled arts which
had all but been forgotten.
In 1902, Lord Curzon held “the greatest pageant
in history” to celebrate the coronation of King Edward
VII. Lady Curzon commissioned The House of Worth
in Paris to design an extravagant gown. The “Lady
Curzon Peacock Dress” was made of Indian fabric and
sewn by Indian artisans. The manufacture of this dress
created jobs, reputations, and a legacy for Indian
dressmakers that lasted decades. The gown, now on
display in Kedleston Hall, in Derbyshire, England, was
made of gold cloth embroidered with peacock
feathers which had blue-green beetle wings.
This dress has recently become connected to a
drama.
There’s a growing trend amongst the Left to demonize
anything connected to the Great British Empire
or colonialism in general. Conveniently, the
Soviet, Ottoman, Mongol, Russian, Qing, Spanish,
French, Belgian, Abbasid, Umayyad, Yuan, Xiongnu,
Brazilian, Japanese, Iberian, Eastern Han, Ming, Rashidun,
Turkic, and numerous others, are all but forgotten
about. Yet, the British Empire elicits
condemnation, scorn, shame, and spurious smears of
historical figures of that era.
Those of us who know that there has never been a
purely altruistic government, let alone an entire empire,
can weigh both the positives and negatives of
colonialism.
The British Empire was the largest and most successful
empire in history, which still holds friendly ties
with former parts of the Empire in the form of the
Commonwealth. Arguably, the reason for this is that
the British traded knowledge, technology, and human
rights for the natural resources of the land and
people they occupied. Britain aimed and succeeded
in leaving their colonies and territories in a far superior
state than that in which they were found.
Sadly, many in the crafting world believe, without
research or evidence, that anything connected to the
British Empire or colonialism is automatically evil, racist,
homophobic, transphobic, and many other insults
only made possible by our modern luxuries and privileges
of opinion. These gatekeepers of crafting
content like to arrest, charge, judge, and convict
32
Continued on next page...

Peacock Dress Continued...
anyone who transgresses outside of the very narrow
boundaries of what they allow.
When Cathy Hay began a long-term sewing project
to recreate The Peacock Dress, she would have had no
idea of the manufactured outrage it would cause.
In an anti-white racist rant, YouTuber Nami Sparrow
posted the following video:
https://youtu.be/mYxRBRYxWo8
In the video Sparrow states:
‘“For over a decade, a prominent costumer
named Cathy Hay has been trying to recreate this
dress. And when she found out her favorite dress is
problematic, instead of stopping the project, she
doubled down and is continuing to make it, with a
side of white guilt. “‘
By doing this, she is ignoring the trauma of those
whos (sic) cultures were destroyed by Colonialism
and Colonists.
I wonder which aspects of Indian culture were destroyed
by colonists. The Caste System? Widow Burning?
Eunuchs bashing their genitals with a rock until
they wither and drop off? Forced marriage? I must also
wonder if Sparrow has ever visited India. Does she
really feel the Indian culture has been destroyed?
Sparrow acknowledges that Indians in India love
the dress and Cathy’s project, however, she makes an
enlightening statement: “The approval
of Indians in India is not enough in the
face of the disapproval of Indians in the
West.” By completely disregarding the
opinions of indigenous Indians in India,
she is centering herself, an American,
as being harmed by something she
has little knowledge of, and which has
no bearing on her whatsoever.
Sadly, Cathy Hay succumbed to
the bullying and abandoned her
project, despite having spent a considerable
amount of time and
money on recreating the dress.
As usual, the Craftsnarkers on Reddit were instrumental in this by fanning the flames of Hay’s “cancelpyre.”
Rather than rehashing the vile comments of the Snarkers, I’ve included several links to the original threads:
https://www.reddit.com/r/craftsnark/comments/11k923p/will_the_peacock_dress_drama_ever_truly_die/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoricalCostuming/comments/qpjecm/the_peacock_dress_is_cancelled_i_dont_get_it/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
https://www.reddit.com/r/craftsnark/comments/ps75zz/peacock_dress_the_most_problematic_wip_in_costube/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoricalCostuming/comments/qkfzp0/bernadette_banner_peacock_dress_update/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
In this issue, I have included two original cowl designs inspired by the peacock feather motif of Lady Curzon’s dress.
These designs are a celebration of all the positive things the British Empire gave to the world.
https://costumesociety.org.uk/blog/post/all-that-is-gold-recreating-the-peacock-dress
Nami Sparrow and the Snarkers choose to see racism everywhere while they bathe in faux self-pity and fake oppression.
I, however, choose to see something beautiful, which had a positive effect on India and Britain and both at the
time and to this day, took everyone’s breath away.
For more information on The Peacock Dress:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/peak-district-derbyshire/kedleston-hall/our-work-caring-for-lady-mary-curzons-peacock-dress
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peacock_dress_of_Lady_Curzon
33

THE PEACOCK
DRESS COWL
BY UKNITTED KINGDOM
DESCRIPTION
A light worsted/DK cowl, knit in the round,
with optional beaded details.
Finished dimensions (laid flat)
approximately 16” x 16” / 41 cm x 41 cm
MATERIALS
450 m / 492 yds (approx. 150g) of light worsted or DK
yarn
4mm 32” circular needle
Optional
3.75 mm cable needle
70 x size 6/0 beads (this includes 10 more than
needed to account for misshapen or lost beads)
1.25 mm Crochet hook to attach the beads (any size
that fits inside the beads with yarn will work)
DIRECTIONS
CO 228 stitches. Join in the round.
Always follow the charts from right to left.
Start at the bottom right corner of chart 1 (round 1).
Continue round 1 across both charts, and then repeat
both charts once more (228 total stitches on round 1).
Continue each round (chart 1, chart 2) x 2 throughout.
TECHNIQUE TUTORIALS
Applying beads to your knitting:
https://youtu.be/9wO6j_hW6bs?t=477
If you choose not to apply beads:
KNIT the corresponding bead stitches on the heart motif
and PURL the corresponding stitches on the cross motif.
Increase 1 stitch to 3: https://youtu.be/kQCO00rr0rg
Decrease 5 stitches to 1: https://youtu.be/XkP5v9DmAec
34

CHART 1

CHART 2

LADY CURZON
COWL
BY UKNITTED KINGDOM
DESCRIPTION
A light worsted/DK cowl, knit in the round,
with optional bobble details.
Finished dimensions (laid flat)
approximately 14” x 14” / 36 cm x 36 cm
MATERIALS
366m / 400 yds (approx. 171g) of light worsted/DK weight yarn.
Offcuts and remnants of light worsted/DK weight yarn in a
contrasting color/s for the bobbles
4mm 32” circular needle for the ribbing
4.5mm 32” circular needle for the main body of the cowl
Optional
4mm cable needle
DIRECTIONS
CO 147 stitches. Join in the round.
Always follow the charts from right to left.
Start at the bottom right corner of chart 1 (round 1).
Continue round 1 across all 3 charts.
Continue each round (chart 1, chart 2, chart 3) throughout.
To make the bobbles:
Follow Norman’s instructions Knitting the bobble stitch with two
colors - Step by step tutorial (nimble-needles.com)
If you prefer not to knit bobbles just purl the stitch instead.
To increase 1 to 3:
knit, yo, knit into the same stitch.
To decrease 5 to 1:
Slip the middle stitch of the 5 onto the right needle. Slip the next 2
stitches on the right needle over the slipped stitch. Slip the stitch back
to the left needle, pass 2 stitches from the left needle over the slipped
stitch. purl the slipped stitch.
Continued on next page...
37

LADY CURZON COWL CHART 1
Chart 1
for
stitches
1-50
38

LADY CURZON COWL CHART 2
Chart 2
for
stitches
51-101
39

Chart 3 for stitches 101-156
LADY CURZON COWL CHART 3

© 2022 Conley Olson, @NantucketStudios
Issue Deadlines
#10 - August 15, 2023
#11 - October 15, 2023
#12 - December 15, 2023
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Check out the theme’s of the upcoming issues! let them inspire your submissions!
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Issue 12 (Dec/Jan) will be: Under the Ivy (Original song by Kate Bush).
These themes can be interpreted literally, figuratively, or in any way the songs and/or lyrics make you feel.
For example, a designer could take ‘Numbers’ literally and have intarsia numbers on a shawl,
or think more laterally to see what the word ‘numbers’ evokes from them.
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Acknowledgments
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