BLOCKED #13

THE MURDER/MYSTERY ISSUE • INTRODUCING THE MORTICIA SHAWL
13
THE PUZZLEBOX BLANKET • THE WEAPON OF CHOICE COWL • GREEN HATS

Unless otherwise indicated the information, articles, artwork, patterns and photography
published in BLOCKED Magazine are subject to copyright ©2024 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.
TEAM BLOCKED
Editor in Chief
Neil James
For all enquiries:
blockedmagazine@gmx.com
Layouts, Graphics, and Ads
BS Designs
Copy Editor, Tech Editor,
Head of Games/Puzzles Content
Cézanne Pellett
Head of Review Content
Katie Gerwien
Joint Heads of Geographical
and Historical Content
Yelena of Scythia
Amy D
Cover Photography
Tabitha of Murderknits
Content Writers
D. Marie Prokop
Micah-in-Stitches
Katie Gerwein
Neil James
Cézanne Pellett
Amy D
Mommy Dreary
Editorial Assistants
Karen Juliano
Laura Neubauer
Pattern Designers
Tabitha of Murderknits
Liz Clothier
Deplorable Knitter
Neil James
Anne Pinkava
KNITTING ABBREVIATIONS
1-1 RC (Right Cable): Sl 1 st to cn, hold to back,
k1, k1 from cn.
3-3 RC (Right Cable): Sl 3 st to cn, hold to back,
k3, k3 from cn.
CC: Contrast Color
CN: Cable Needle
German Twisted Cast-On:
1. Leave a tail of yarn that is approximately 3-4 times as long
as your project will be wide, then make a slip knot.
2. Wrap yarn around your thumb and index finger in the
"slingshot" position.
3. Bring RH needle under both strands of yarn around
thumb then down into thumb opening.
4. Bring RH needle back up and grab strand from index
finger, then bring needle tip down through thumb opening.
5. Release yarn from around your thumb and tighten loop
on needle.
Repeat steps 3-5 until you have the desired number
of stitches cast on.
K: Knit
K2tog: Knit 2 sts together
K2tog tbl: Knit 2 sts together through back loop.
LH: Left Hand
K1 f/b/f: (Knit front/back/front) Knit into the front of the
next stitch, then into the back of the same stitch, and once
more through the front.
LT (left twist – without cable needle):
1. Slip first st knitwise, slip next st knitwise.
2. Return sts to LH needle.
3. Knit into the back of second st.
4. Knit into the back of both sts together.
5. Drop both sts from needle.
MC: Main Color
P: Purl
P2tog: Purl 2 sts together
RH: Right Hand
Sl: Slip stitch, always slip sts purlwise unless
otherwise indicated.
St(s): Stitch(es)
Tbl: Through back loop.

Dear Readers,
Welcome to the first issue of 2024!
To celebrate 2 years of Blocked I decided to give Team Blocked promotions. I’m now
Editor-in-Chief; because why not?
Blocked now has a pair of in-house tech editors. Cézanne has been studying for the
Tech Editor qualification for the last 12 months and should be fully accredited within the
next 6 months.
Annie is about to begin the course with a view to gaining accreditation in approximately
18 months. Once accredited, both will be free to offer tech editing services to designers
everywhere.
Having a tech editor on board has made a significant difference to the quality and
standardisation of patterns. Prior to Cezzie taking on the task it was always a bit inconsistent;
with some designers having their own tech editor and others not.
In addition to being a tech editor, Cezzie is also taking on the role of copy editor. This
means that before general release, whilst Patrons have the preview, Cezzie will take one
last look over the text to check for any stubborn errors. An error or 2 invariably slips
through the net, we’re a team of volunteers after all, with jobs, and lives, and with an Editor-in-Chief
with a memory like a sieve!
You’ll notice this issue has fewer ads than usual. I took the decision to remove all the
ads as some of the vendors/podcasters/vloggers are no longer operating, no longer affiliated
with Blocked, or have old details listed. If you would like your ad reinstated, please
contact me at: blockedmagazine@gmail.com
This issue’s theme is “Murder/Mystery.” Most (but not all) of the patterns and articles
have a link to the murder/mystery genre in one form or another. As always there was some
criticism of the choice of theme. I read some vague complaint about celebrating murderers
and causing harm, blah blah. I’m quite certain no real-life murderers have even
been mentioned!
You will find all the future 2024 themes and deadline dates here. As always, these
themes are for inspiration only and can be interpreted in any way you choose. They’re not
conditional for publication. If you have any ideas for themes throughout 2025 feel free to
send them to the email address above.
Enjoy and get Blocked!
Yours faithfully,
Neil
Editor-in-Chief
3

Sweater Design Book Review, part 2
by Katie Gerwien, aka khgknits
The Knitter’s Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters
and 6000+ Pullover Possibilities,
Interchangeable Options for Custom Knitted Sweaters
4
This a continuation of my review
of books written to help
knitters design sweaters to use
the yarn of the knitter’s choosing,
at the gauge the knitter likes,
and with modifications the knitter
wants to include.
I selected Ann Budd’s The
Knitter’s Handy Book of Top-
Down Sweaters (Budd, 2012) for
my list of books on this topic to
review because top-down
sweaters are quite popular with
knitters. Budd explains in the Introduction
to The Knitter’s
Handy Book of Top-Down
Sweaters that knitters had been
asking her to modify the patterns
in her famous The Knitter’s
Handy Book of Sweater Patterns
(Budd, 2007) to seamless and
top-down knitting patterns. Thus,
she wrote the book I am reviewing. Many knitters prefer
top-down sweaters because they can try the sweater on as
they knit it to check fit, particularly at the critical shoulder
measurements, and adjust the body and sleeve length
(very helpful if they are playing yarn chicken) as needed.
Some knitters simply abhor sewing garment pieces together
and so prefer seamless sweater patterns.
As a hand spinner, I have five bins of handspun yarn in
my stash. I have yet to spin a sweater’s quantity of yarn
from the same fiber, but I can either combine several
handspun yarns into a sweater or combine handspun yarn
with commercial yarn to complete a sweater. It is a little
more challenging for me to do this as my calculations for
yardage with handspun are good estimates at best. Thus,
I find the top-down sweater concept appealing for knitting
with handspun yarn. I am knitting a sweater now from
a combination of handspun and commercial yarn using
the basic raglan sweater found in Budd’s The Knitter’s
Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters. I will address my experience
after I complete the book review.
The book provides instructions
for knitting four sweater types:
seamless yoke, raglan, set-in
sleeve, and saddle shoulder, all
from the top down. Basic information
included in the first chapter,
“Take It from the Top,”
includes:
● An explanation of the
sweater styles in the book
● Quick tips on how to use to
book
● Tips for faux seams
● Tips for circular knitting
● Selecting the perfect fit
● Gauge, including tips for
consistent gauge
● Making changes for colorwork,
stitch patterns,
and length
Budd provides a basic sweater
design for each of the four sweater types in children’s
chest sizes 26” to 34” (66 to 86.5 cm) women’s bust sizes
36” to 44” (91.5 to 112 cm) and men’s chest sizes 46” to
54” (117 to 137 cm). Each sweater type contains information
on basic yarn requirements, provides a schematic
for the sweater, and follows Budd’s typical pattern style of
simple instructions interspersed between large charts, giving
you stitch counts based on the size sweater you are
knitting and your gauge. For each of the four sweater
types, she includes several patterns of that style with specific
design features, such as colorwork or stitch patterns.
The designs are attractive and remain current.
The final chapter, “Personal Touches,” provides advice
on two methods of waist shaping, edging options, and
button and buttonhole bands. There is also an abbreviations
page and a techniques section with written descriptions
and drawings. Increasing and decreasing options,
mattress stitch, pick up and knit along edge, short rows
and zippers, and a list of books for further reading on
each topic are also discussed.
Continued on next page...

Reviews... Continued...
The book is physically easy to use. It has a hardbound
cover with a spiral-bound interior, allowing the pages to
lie flat and making it easy to follow the pattern directions.
I think this book is better suited for knitters who have
made at least one sweater already. It is a bit daunting for a
knitter who has never knit a sweater to start one using this
process. While I like Budd’s books as reference books for
basic shaping and sizing, I find that following the patterns
requires a lot of concentration. Between finding the right
stitch count for the size you are knitting at your specific
gauge, and reading the instructions between each chart, I
often miss some of the instructions or select the wrong
number on the chart. Therefore, I find myself using the
book to select the
stitch counts and typing
the instructions on
a separate piece of
paper to make sure I
don’t miss any steps. I
recheck the stitch
counts before I start
knitting to make sure I
have not selected the
wrong numbers along
the way.
That being said, for
the sweater I am knitting
now, a top-down
raglan, my ideal size
was halfway between
two size options on
Budd’s chart, and my
gauge was halfway between
two gauge options
on her chart.
What to do? I set up
equations in a spreadsheet
program to determine the stitch counts between
the two sizes and gauges. This took a bit of time. I also
added short row shaping in the back neck to allow for a
lower neckline in the front of the sweater. I printed the
final document, which is far easier to carry along with the
project than the book was. I found being able to try on
the sweater as I have been knitting to be quite helpful so I
can make sure the neckline and shoulders fit properly.
This method also made it easier to decide on the most attractive
place to switch between the handspun and commercial
yarns.
The second book I am reviewing in this article uses the
same concept of providing stitch counts based on size
and gauge, with written instructions before and after each
chart. The book is 6000+ Pullover Possibilities, Interchangeable
Options for Custom Knitted Sweaters (Leapman,
2019).
The similarity to Budd’s Top-Down Sweaters ends with
the chart and instruction layout. All sweaters in this book
are knit in pieces from the bottom up. Melissa Leapman
points out that knitting sweaters in pieces allows for maximum
flexibility in design customization, and the seams
provide structure to knitted garments.
Leapman’s book contains nine chapters, including an Introduction
and How to Use the Book section. The How to
Use This Book section provides direction on:
• Yarn selection
• Gauge swatching
• Visual examples of the
same sweater silhouette knit
in three different yarn weights
and gauges for their overall
impact
• Selecting from straight,
shaped, a-line, tapered, or
empire waist sweater silhouettes
• Selecting from square indented,
raglan, set-in, or saddle
shoulder armhole
construction
• Selecting from round,
scoop, v-neck, square,
placket, or slit neckline and
compatible neckline treatments
• Selecting edge treatment
for bottoms of front, back,
and cuffs
• Adding extra details
• Yarn amount advice
• How to select from 8 sizes ranging from 30” to 58” (76
cm to 147.5 cm) bust
• How to use the tables and schematic drawings
• How to complete the fill-in-the-blank checklist to capture
all your selections for your project
The chapter “Backs” provides a good schematic for
each back style (silhouette with matching armhole construction),
with knitting instructions and stitch counts.
The “Fronts” chapter provides a good schematic for
each front style as well as a chart for the front neckline
depths for each neckline shape and treatment. There is
also advice on how to modify the neckline opening by
using the back instructions until you reach the point where
you need to work the neckline treatment.
Continued on next page...
5

Reviews... Continued...
In the “Sleeves” chapter, Leapman provides a good
schematic of sleeves and directions for selecting the
sleeve construction based on which armhole construction
was used for the back piece. There are icons given to
match the armhole with the back. There are also schematics
for each armhole shape, worked from wrist to
shoulder, offering long and short sleeve options.
The “Necklines” chapter provides the finishing directions
for the neckline chosen, with icons given to match
the front to the neckline. There is also a list of stitch-torow
pick-up ratios for each neckline.
The “Edge Treatments” chapter provides 19 options for
ribbing or edges for the front, back, and cuff. The
“Pockets” chapter provides 6 pocket options.
The chapter “Pullover Possibilities” displays photos of 6
completed sweaters with descriptions of what options
were used to complete the sweaters.
The Fill-in-the-Blanks Checklist provides a template for
capturing all of your design decisions, from size, silhouettes,
measurements, materials, gauge, etc., and the
page numbers you need for shaping, edgings, etc. I
would prefer to have the checklist at the beginning of the
book instead of at the end of the book to aid in capturing
decisions as you go through the book.
The chapter “Inspiration and Information” provides an
abbreviations list, a review of basic knitting techniques,
and several finishing techniques including blocking,
seaming with mattress stitch, backstitch and whipstitch,
sewing in a zipper, weaving in ends, picking up stitches,
and the order of sewing modular pieces together.
The book has a hardcover and is spiral bound allowing
the pages to lie flat, making it easy to follow the pattern
directions.
The book provides 6,000 sweater options. I don’t know
that I can or want to make that many decisions! As a reference
book, this book is very useful for silhouettes, sizing,
and stitch counts. Again, I do not see this as a book for
the first-time sweater knitter. There are too many options
and decisions to make with this approach. I recommend
this book for the knitter familiar with sweater knitting and
ready to make the design decisions. If I do use this book, I
will print a copy of the Fill-in-the-Blanks Checklist before I
start making decisions to track my decisions as I work
through each chapter.
In terms of camp “Knit in Pieces” or camp “Knit From
the Top Down in the Round,” I am in camp “Knit in
Pieces,” as I find I can check for fit and length as
I knit the pieces. Knitting smaller pieces is much
easier to handle as each piece has far less
weight on the needles. I am at the stage with my
Ann Budd raglan sweater where the weight of
the body is significant, and it takes forever to
complete a row. Because of the weight on the
needles, I can only knit 1 or 2 rows a day because
I end up with achy wrists after knitting. I
find blocking individual pieces versus an entire
sweater preferable. Not only is it easier to pin
the individual pieces to exact measurements,
but the small pieces dry much faster than 2
layers of a sweater do. I admit seaming pieces is
not my favorite thing,
but, with a little bit of
patience, it gets done.
However, if you prefer
knitting from the top
down, in the round, go
for it. It is your knitting!
Again, I wish you
Happy Knitting!
6
The books in this article can be found on Amazon at the following links:
https://www.amazon.com/Knitters-Handy-Book-Top-Down-Sweaters/dp/1596684836.
https://www.amazon.com/6000-Pullover-Possibilities-Interchangeable-Sweaters/dp/1936096943

LET THEM
LIVE HAT
by Deplorable Knitter
YARN
40 g Worsted weight yarn
Needles:
US Size 8 (5mm) circular needles
US Size 8 (5mm) double-pointed-needles
NOTIONS
Darning needle
Stitch marker
Scissors
GAUGE
20 sts x 28 rows = 4” x 4”
SIZES
Newborn: 9 1 ⁄2” circumference (unstretched) X 5” high
0-3 months: 10 1 ⁄2” circumference (unstretched) x 5 1 ⁄2” high
3-6 months: 11” circumference (unstretched) x 6” high
6-12 months: 12” circumference (unstretched) x 6 1 ⁄2” high
12-24 months: 13” circumference (unstretched) x 7” high
PATTERN
Cast on 50 (55, 60, 65, 70) using the twisted German cast on, or your favorite cast on.
Place marker, join for knitting in the round, being careful not to twist your work.
Work k4, p1 rib unit piece measures 3 ⁄4” ( 3 ⁄4”, 3 ⁄4”, 1”, 1”).
Begin working the faux cable rib as follows:
Round 1: *LT, k2, p1* repeat around.
Round 2: *K1, LT, k1, p1* repeat around.
Round 3: *K2, LT, p1* repeat around.
Rounds 4 and 5: *K4, p1* repeat around.
Work in the faux cable rib until approx. 1" shorter than desired length,
being sure to end with Round 3.
Begin decreases as follows:
Round 1: *K2, k2tog tbl, p1* repeat around.
Round 2: *K2tog tbl, k1, p1* repeat around.
Round 3: *K2tog tbl, p1* repeat around.
Round 4: *K2tog tbl* repeat around.
Cut yarn and pull through remaining stitches. Weave in ends and enjoy!
7

DISHIDENT #16
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, design,
word, or 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
CO 45
Row 1 [RS]: K45
Row 2: K45
Row 3: K45
Row 4: K45
Row 5: K45
Row 6: K45
Row 7: K45
Row 8: K4, p6, k5, p26, k4
Row 9: K45
Row 10: K4, p4, k8, p25, k4
Row 11: K45
Row 12: K4, p4, k9, p24, k4
Row 13: K45
Row 14: K4, p5, k9, p23, k4
Row 15: K45
Row 16: K4, p6, k16, p15, k4
Row 17: K45
Row 18: K4, p7, k8, p4, k1, p1, k2, p14, k4
Row 19: K45
Dishident Continued on next page...
8

Dishident Continued...
Row 20: K4, p8, k8, (p2, k2) 2X, p13, k4
Row 21: K45
Row 22: K4, p9, k25, p3, k4
Row 23: K45
Row 24: K4, p5, k29, p3, k4
Row 25: K45
Row 26: K4, p6, k29, p2, k4
Row 27: K45
Row 28: K4, p5, k30, p2, k4
Row 29: K45
Row 30: K4, p8, k26, p3, k4
Row 31: K45
Row 32: K4, p8, k1, p23, k1, p4, k4
Row 33: K45
Row 34: K4, p37, k4
Row 35: K45
Row 36: K4, p17, k1, p4, k7, p8, k4
Row 37: K45
Row 38: K4, p7, k3, p7, k1, p5, k4, (k1, p4) 2X, k4
Row 39: K45
Row 40: K4, p4, (p1, k1, p4) 3X, p2, k3, p5, k1, p4, k4
Row 41: K45
Row 42: K4, p4, (p1, k1, p4) 3X, (p3, k1, p3) 2X, p1, k4
Row 43: K45
Row 44: K4, p4, (p1, k1, p4) 3X, (p3, k1, p3) 2X, p1, k4
Row 45: K45
Row 46: K4, p6, (k1, p3) 2X, (p1, k1) 3X, p5, k1, p6, k1, p4, k4
Row 47: K45
Row 48: K4, p8, k1, p6, k4, (k1, p5) 2X, p2, k1, p3, k4
Row 49: K45
Row 50: K4, p1, (p1, k1) 2X, p2, k3, p7, k1, p6, k3, p7, k1, p2, k4
Row 51: K45
Row 52: K4, (p1, k1, p2) 2X, k1, p8, k1, p5, k5, p6, k1, p2, k4
Row 53: K45
Row 54: K4, p7, k2, p7, k2, (k1, p6) 2X, (p2, k1) 2X, k3
Row 55: K45
Row 56: K4, p37, k4
Row 57: K45
Row 58: K45
Row 59: K45
Row 60: K45
Row 61: K45
Row 62: K45
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 or baggy knit stitches.
NOTES
Occasionally, a dishident or secret square might not be
suitable for children and “polite company”. This will be made
clear when this is the case.
If you would like to receive notifications of our next issue!
Check out our Patreon!
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9

READ THE FULL
STORY HERE!
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/68630139/whodoneknit
10

By Amy From Two Stisters and Some Yarn
WHO DONE KNIT?
PART ONE
**SUNDAY**
It was a dark and stormy night. Crickets and owls
created a symphony of the ni—
“Oh for crying out loud.” I muttered to myself, hitting
the delete key on my MacBook. Of all the cliche, ridiculous
ways to start a mystery novel. I had the audacity to
call myself a writer?
I leaned back in the cushiony desk chair while my eyes
wandered around Mimi’s office. What a packrat! Boxes of
paperwork, photos, books, all piled everywhere. Photos
of long dead family and friends cluttered the walls, faithfully
dusted by Maria, Mimi’s weekly cleaning lady. Mimi’s
cell phone still stared at me with the numbers of missed
calls and voicemails that I’d neglected to answer since arriving
two weeks ago. Everyone who needed to know
she was gone, knew. Her funeral was short, sweet and to
the point as she’d asked. No need to hurry when catching
up on voicemails for the dead.
I had a job to do: get Mimi’s affairs settled and head
back to New York. Or I could head off to LA? To Boston? I
could go wherever I wanted once the details were settled,
and Mimi’s wishes granted. I, her only granddaughter,
would get her fortune, to do with as I pleased. All
Mimi had asked of me was to close out the “fiddly
matters” and fulfill her one wish.
I stood and stretched, then glanced down the hall to
where that “one wish” resided. “Might as well tackle it
now since I’m clearly not going to be the next Stephen
King. I wonder if he talks to himself while he’s working?” I
wondered aloud to myself. How much was my college
debt again?
I pushed open the door at the end of the hall, and
gazed upon Mimi’s “one wish,” her voice still fresh in my
ears: “Audrey, take what you want. Sell what you don’t.
Give it to my friends, to charity knitters, to local yarn
shops, even sell it on eBay! But for the love of God, do
NOT just toss my yarn in the trash! If you throw it away, or
give it to Goodwill, my heart would break and I’ll haunt
you forever!”
Shelves and shelves of yarn surrounded me. While the
rest of the house may have been a mess of Saints
posters, Mardi Gras masks, dead relatives’ portraits, and
vintage kitchen tools, the yarn room was sacred. Ordered
in the most OCD fashion, the yarn formed a squishy gradient
of colors. Patterns were arranged in tidy plastic
sheet protectors, sorted by type in binders accordingly.
Needles sat in their original wrappers, organized by size
in a hanging divider on an inside closet door. Her spinning
wheel sat near her favorite chair, with a well worn
end table and her crocheted mug coaster, which usually
held her favorite mug that read “I like big balls and I cannot
lie.” I had no idea if she truly got the joke.
I sighed, wiped away the tear that had surreptitiously
formed in my eye, and sat in her chair. How that woman
loved her yarn, fiber, projects, and friends. The current
works in progress, “WIPs” as Mimi had called them, hung
on a coat rack in the corner in various brightly colored
fabric bags. What was I supposed to do with those? She
didn’t tell me that part! I remembered seeing something
on Facebook about a group that finished projects for
people after they passed. I added that to my mental todo
list, categorized under “hopefully I can find it later.”
Despite Mimi’s best efforts, I never learned to knit or
crochet. That was for old ladies! But, man did she try. I
was her only grandchild, a granddaughter, no less! Yet, I
hated it. Mimi was beyond patient, I just lacked even the
most basic hand-eye coordination. Okay, okay, maybe I
never gave it more than five minutes of effort and I gave
up, tossing the ball of yarn and needles aside to chase
after the boys down the street or beg Mimi to take me for
a ride on the streetcar.
Now, the time has passed. Mimi was not going to
teach me, and I had to deal with HUNDREDS of balls of
yarn, and various other … things? I knew they had proper
names, but I hadn’t bothered to learn them. “Why did
she leave me anything? I certainly don’t deserve it!” I
wailed.
Continued on next page...
11

By Amy From Two Stisters and Some Yarn
12
Ahh yes, she had no choice. I was it. Her lone relative.
Papa was long gone and her only child, my father, died
five years ago in a freak boating accident. My mother …
Well, she was just a memory conjured up by stories from
Mimi and Dad. She died shortly after my birth from complications,
they told me in hushed tones, quickly changing
the subject whenever I asked.
So here I sat, in the old Uptown home, with its porch littered
by the flyers of realtors begging me daily to list it
with them, surrounded by yarn without even the slightest
idea of its value, and it was my responsibility to handle it
all. Clear it all out, take what I wanted, sell the rest, and
prepare this house for another family to collect their own
memories.
But what in the world was I supposed to do with this
yarn? I could just toss it and say “Mimi will never know.”
But you know what they say about karma? I couldn’t defy
an old woman’s dying wish unless I wanted to come back
as a cockroach in another life!
But sorting out the yarn was tomorrow's problem, as
the music floated down the street and a cocktail was calling
my name.
**MONDAY**
An answer came quicker than I’d anticipated to the
yarn problem. Once I’d slept off the cocktails from the
previous night, I finally checked her phone’s voicemail
messages.
“ROSIE! Hello lovely! I am SO excited to come to the
Stitch and Sip! I cannot wait! I’ll bring my devilled eggs!”
“WOMAN, of course I will be there! Did you try that
new Ethan East shawl pattern? WHY does that man make
so many holes in patterns? I’ll bring the dip!”
“Rosie, sweetie, thank you so much for the invite! I will
be there with bells on and that damn lace shawl I need
help with!”
“Rose. Please tell me you did not invite Evelyn to Stitch
and Sip? You did, didn’t you? I guess I’ll come anyway.
Get some good pinot this time.”
“Rosie, say it ain’t so. You can’t be gone. Sonofa—”
“Rosie, I mean, I don’t know who will hear this. You’re
gone. This can’t be …”
“Rose! What the hell? You can’t die, you witch! You still
have to show me how to do that freaking brioche!”
Mimi had an eclectic group of friends, that was for sure.
By now, the voices behind those messages had learned
of her sudden death and had paid their respects. I began
to hit delete on the messages when the phone rang suddenly
in my hand, making me jump.
The caller ID read EVELYN ROTH. My sigh was probably
audible from the street.
“Hello?” I answered cautiously.
“Audrey?” Evelyn said. “Is that you?”
Controlled sigh. “Yes ma’am. I’m going through Mimi’s
things.”
“Oh Audrey, honey, I know I said it at the funeral, but
your grandmother was the most wonderful person. I just
can’t …” sighing and choked sobs ensued. “Anyway. I
know you have a lot on your plate with the house and all,
but I was wondering, did you know Rosie had a ‘Stitch
and Sip’ planned at her place this Saturday? It was going
to be quite an affair! She’d gotten a caterer in, you know
darling, he used to work for the Bensons back in the day,
and he was creating a menu just for Rosie, and she had
made all these plans and—”
“Mrs. Evelyn!? Sorry to interrupt but, yes ma’am I know
she had that planned, and I have to call the caterer and
cancel, but haven’t gotten to it yet—”
Evelyn interrupted “Oh Audrey, no, dear you can’t just
cancel on Jacque! He is a genius! Rosie had it all planned
and paid for! I know it sounds silly for us to get all gussied
up just to sit around and knit, but your grandmother had
a theme for each one of these events! This month was a
murder mystery! You know, darling, like the old Clue
board game? Like the Agatha Christie books? We were
supposed to swap yarns, have dinner and plan our next
make-a-long!”
“Your what-a-long?” The headache was no longer due
to vodka, but to Mimi’s most trying friend.
“Make-a-long, sweetie!” Evelyn chuckled. “We all agree
on what to knit, a theme, a project, you know, and we knit
the same thing and just chat while we work on it! Rosie
loved to pick projects we’d donate to charity. I mean, one
cold Mardi Gras I saw a stripper wearing a shawl that I'd
SWEAR I’d made!”
Continued on next page...

By Amy From Two Stisters and Some Yarn
For the love of cheese. I was not going to ask where
Evelyn was seeing random strippers wearing hand
knits. “Ahhh okay, Mrs. Evelyn, that’s lovely but I don’t
think there will be a Stitch and Sip, you know, since
Mimi is … gone.”
“Audrey, oh honey, I have the BEST idea! I know you
must go home soon and have so much to do, but why
don’t you let us all come as planned? Jacque is already
scheduled and paid for; we will get all dressed up in
our costumes, and have one last hoorah for Rosie! What
do you say? You won’t have to do a thing! I will be over
early to set up, and Maria still comes weekly, right? Just
make sure she comes Friday, and we will come early
Saturday afternoon to set up so that we can have one
last Stitch and Sip to honor your grandmother! What do
you say?” Evelyn barely breathed as she spit it all out.
I rubbed my temples. “Okay, okay, Mrs. Evelyn. Fine.
Do what you wish. But remember I’m only in town long
enough to finish Mimi’s affairs and turn over the house
to the realtor. This party is all on you.”
Evelyn practically squealed with excitement. “Audrey,
my dear, you won’t regret a thing!” and hung up.
I leaned back in Mimi’s desk chair. Somehow, I
doubted that.
To Be Continued....
READ THE FULL
STORY HERE!
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/68630139/whodoneknit
13

PUZZLE BOX
KNIT QUILT
by Anne Pinkava
YARN
Per individual square you will need approximately 25 yards of Color A, and 20 yards each for Colors B and C.
GAUGE
Because this is a blanket, you can use whatever needle size or yarn you prefer, but I used a US size 3 (3.25mm)
needle and DK weight yarn and got a gauge of 6 sts by 12 rows for 1” square in garter stitch before blocking. After
blocking it was 5 st and 9 rows per 1” square and each of my blocks was 15”.
PATTERN
SQUARE 1:
With A, CO 3.
Set Up Row: K1, yo, k1, sl1.
Row 1: K1, yo, k to 2 before end, k1 tbl, sl1.
Repeat until 25 stitches on needles. Cut A, leaving a tail.
Middle Section:
Set Up Row: With B, k1, yo, k to 2 before end, k1 tbl, sl1.
Repeat row again. (27 sts)
(RS): With C, k1, yo, k1. Picking up B, k 23 sts (2 before end), k1 tbl, sl1. (28 sts)
(WS): With B, k1, yo, k24 to the Intarsia join, put yarn in front to pick up C, k1, k1 tbl, sl1. (29 sts)
1st Repeat for middle:
(RS): With C, k1, yo, k to 1 past join. Pick up B, k23, k1 tbl, sl1 (There will always be 25 st of color B in this section.)
(WS): With B, k1, yo, k24 (to join) put yarn in front to pick up C, k to 2 before end, k1 tbl, sl1.
Repeat until there are 51 st after a WS row: 25 color B, 26 color C.
14

Decrease:
Set Up (RS): With C k27 (to one past join), with B k22 (to 3 before end),
k2tog (Note: on this row only, you may want to slip the first st, twist the
second, and replace both on left needle before working), sl 1.
(WS): With B, k to join. With C, k until 3 before end, k2tog, sl 1.
Decrease Repeat:
(RS): With C, k to 1 past join. With B, k to 3 before end, k2tog, sl 1.
(WS): With B, k to join. With C, k to 3 before end, k2tog, sl 1.
Repeat until there are 29 st on needles, ending on WS.
(RS): With C, k to 1 past join. With B, k2tog, sl 1.
(WS): With color B, k2 (pass join). With C, k to 3 before end, k2tog, sl 1.
Cut B.
(RS): With C, k24, k2tog (over join), sl 1.
(WS): With C, k to 3 before end, k2tog, sl 1. (25 sts). Cut C.
Final Triangle Decrease:
With Color A, k to 3 before end, k2tog, sl 1.
Repeat until 4 sts remain, k1, k2tog, sl 1.
Cut yarn and pull through remaining 3 sts.
SQUARE 2:
If you want to seam your Squares as you go, start square 2 by picking up 25
slipped sts along the right front edge (from the corner where you begin the
decrease down to the first cast on triangle) with your working point pointed
downwards. Cast on your 3 sts on the needle next to the picked up sts, and
work the square as above, but k2tog your last RS stitch with the picked-up
stitch, then turn and k1 normally on the WS. You will have to k3tog with 2 of
the picked up sts once in the first color A segment. Make sure that your
square edges match in pattern as you go, and don’t be afraid to knit more
sts together or invent a st so that they match up. Your last edge st will be
knit in just as it is time for the decrease.
REPEAT WITH SQUARE 3.
SQUARE 4:
Pick up 25 sts along the right front and 25 sts along the other side with your
needles meeting in the center by the cast-on. You may either CO 3, leaving
a tail, or pick up 3, and then work the pattern.
(RS) K2tog with the last stitch and the picked-up stitch at the end of row 1.
Knit the WS in pattern and purl the last stitch together with the picked-up
stitch. Purl that stitch on the RS, and then continue in pattern.
Once you have completed as many squares as you want to complete your
quilt (my squares were 11½” before blocking) weave in your ends and sew
them together. You may want to use a mattress stitch or a crocheted join.
15

INCITEMENT TO KILL
By Uknitted Kingdom
In January I received the following screenshot from Instagram:
The image is of yarn
in the process of
being dyed. The
poster, “Oldrustedchair”
was giving her
followers a “sneak
peek” of a colorway
titled “Rebel Girl.”
By sharing this dye
process, she wanted
to remind everyone
that “abortions are
good, abortions are
healthcare, abortions
should be accessible
to anyone who
wants/needs one.”
She claims that a portion
of her profits
from sales of this colorway
will be donated
to “Abortion Care.”
In closing, she expresses
her excitement
at what she
sees whilst volunteering
as a “clinic escort”
and hints, rather
ominously, “a lot can
happen in 2 minutes.”
Some readers will
take exception to a
man discussing abortion.
“How dare you
[a man] have an opinion
on abortion!”,
“You [men] have no
idea what an unwanted
pregnancy feels like!” “You [men] shouldn’t put a
baby in there if you don’t want it aborted!” “Why aren’t
you adopting unwanted babies then?” “What about
rape?” “What about incest?” “What about congenital defects?”
“What about…?” “What about…?” “What
about…?”
16
The obvious misandry notwithstanding, all humans are
entitled to hold and share opinions on any subject.
Why write about this in a knitting/crochet magazine?
Several yarn dyers, designers, and known crafters, “Oldrustedchair,”
“Gary_Knits_Gary_Rides,” and Hunter Hammerson
to name a few, are promoting abortion as if it is a
fun activity to engage in on a rainy Tuesday afternoon.
There is a glee, an excitement,
an arousal almost, in their eyes
and demeanor when they advocate
for the execution of the unborn.
It is not just opinion, but
dogma feeding something sinister
within them. Uninvited, contentious
assertions require
uninvited responses. This is
mine.
There are a myriad of reasons a
pregnant woman may seek an
abortion; age, financial status,
relationship status, some health
conditions, some psychological
conditions, and some purely selfish
and reckless reasons. The
most often heard excuse for killing
a baby is: “My body, my
choice.”
The fetus is only the mother’s
body in terms of DNA, 50 percent
of which comes from the
father. If the fetus is the mother’s body, it is only partly
hers, and equally that of the father’s. However, from conception,
the fetus possesses his or her own body in various
stages of human development. In cold and
unemotional terms, the mother is simply an incubator to
feed and breathe for the baby until his or her body can
perform these functions independently. Every human possesses
the right to bodily autonomy until that body has a
life or death impact on another human body. For example,
I have full autonomy of my body. If I chose to use my
body to end a woman’s pregnancy, or end the life of any
other human, I would rightly be guilty of murder. For
some skewed rationale, in many countries, a mother can
legally have her unborn baby torn limb from limb simply
by reason of it being unwanted. If an abortionist did the
same to a lovingly anticipated unborn baby, s/he would
be guilty of murder. It all boils down to one simple ques-
Continued on next page...

Incitement Continued...
By Uknitted Kingdom
tion. Yes or No? Is this human life wanted by his/her
mother? If it isn’t morally acceptable to tear a baby to
pieces once born, and visible, why is it morally acceptable
whilst the baby is unborn and unable to be seen?
There is an argument for abortion if the unborn child is
going to kill the mother as a physical consequence of the
pregnancy. However, the same cannot be said of psychological
or suicidal consequences of a pregnancy.
Rape and incest are always used as an argument to
keep abortions readily available. However, these types of
pregnancies are so rare as to be statistically inconsequential.
As traumatic and psychologically damaging
as these pregnancies might be, they should not be included
when arguing about the general rights and
wrongs of abortion. These cases should be carefully considered
on an individual basis, with full medical, psychological,
and legal support. These pregnancies result from
criminal acts and therefore lie outside the parameters of
typical abortion discourse. However, it must always be remembered
that an unborn baby is never guilty of rape or
incest. Why should an innocent be executed for his or
her father’s crime? Will a second trauma negate the first?
The vast majority of abortions occur simply as “backdated”
contraception.
The following data from the Guttmacher Institute is an
indication of the reasons women have offered for aborting
their unborn babies. Please note that each woman interviewed
was allowed to give multiple answers, so the
totals do not add up to 100%.
Only 26.5 percent could be considered genuine cases
for discussing the option of abortion (rape, incest, health
of fetus, and health of mother). This isn’t to say abortions
should be performed in these cases, just that the situations
are complex enough to invite medical, psychological
and legal discussion.
If we only look at the elective reasons, the vast majority
of all of the USA’s abortions in the years indicated had no
justifiable motive, and were simply performed as a form
of post conception "contraceptive."
It shouldn’t be a mystery to any adult that heterosexual
intercourse can result in pregnancy. Many forms of contraception
are available. Yes, some are more effective
than others. Some are more available than others. Yes,
more help needs to be provided to pre-emptively prevent
pregnancies for those who don’t want them. Research
into foolproof contraception is needed. The
argument that “X contraception is only N percent effective
therefore what’s the point of using it” does not compute.
Any percentage of unwanted pregnancy
prevention is better than none at all!
Regardless of the unfairness of the situation, the
mother always bears the ultimate responsibility of carrying
the baby, feeding the baby, and raising the baby to
adulthood. Fathers vary enormously in terms of which
will support, protect, and raise his child(ren). Nothing will
ever change this. We can argue, cajole, incentivize,
threaten, but there will always be some men who won’t
stand by the mother and/or his child. This is an unpleasant
and inconvenient truth which all females need to be
aware of. If you are the only one who is going to be left
with the consequences of a pregnancy, then you alone
need to take responsibility for becoming pregnant. This
isn’t being cruel or dismissive but is cold, hard, truth.
Prior to the 21st century it could be argued that some
women were naïve and fell pregnant through coercion,
ignorance, or poor availability of contraception. This is
no longer the case. Sexual information is readily available.
However, what is also now widespread is a sense of
entitlement, selfishness, and a throwaway attitude towards
everything, including sex and children.
In modern society, abstinence, marriage, and even monogamy
are old fashioned concepts. Consenting adults
are free to do whatever legal sexual activities they
choose in private. However, consenting adults, male and
female, need to take responsibility for the bodily autonomy
they take for granted. If either of you don’t want a
* https://www.guttmacher.org/journals/psrh/2005/reasons-us-women-have-abortions-quantitative-and-qualitative-perspectives
Continued on next page...
17

Incitement Continued...
By Uknitted Kingdom
pregnancy make damn sure you do not cause one. If you
do become pregnant, summary execution of your baby is
not a logical or justifiable conclusion for your lack of responsibility.
Contrary to how it may appear, I do have some sympathy
for those who have been reckless or naïve and found
themselves with an unwanted pregnancy. Your life is inevitably
going to be different than the life you may have
planned. You might no longer be traveling the world, or
studying to be a brain surgeon, but that isn’t because of
your baby, it’s because of the choices you made when
choosing a sexual partner, and gambling your future personal
plans on a game of sexual roulette.
For those who have had abortions, nothing will change
that event and any debate about it is only looking at the
broken gate after the horse has bolted.
Returning to the fiber world. Those like “Oldrustedchair,”
“Gary_Knits_Gary_Rides,” and Hunter Hammerson
(just a few of many) are, in effect, inciting mothers to kill.
If you wish to reply to this article (for publication) please
send your comments to: blockedmagazine@gmail.com
18

By Micah-in-Stitches
Potential Child
I will never forget the day I told my boyfriend we were
expecting. I was happy because I knew I was finally going
to be a mother but I knew that he would not share my joy
in the life we had created together. We had had the conversation
about being parents and it had almost ended
our relationship months before. It was a dream for me and
a nightmare for him. He was close to 40 and I was in my
mid 30’s. We had talked about it and we both knew how
the other felt. We were both old enough to know the potential
results of having unprotected sex and accepted the
consequences.
My boyfriend had decided that it was worth the risk to
him because he had never gotten anyone else pregnant so
in his head, he was probably not able to and he knew I was
in my mid 30’s so if I hadn’t gotten pregnant I was probably
not able to either. I was honest with him about the facts of
my situation:
1. I had very few sexual partners before him (only 2
others).
2. I had never had unprotected sex with anyone before.
3. I had aways wanted to have children.
We had also talked about abortion. I told him that I was
pro-choice. I am pro-choice. But it was a choice I would
never make. I have supported friends both male and female
over the years in relationships who found themselves
making the difficult decision to end a pregnancy and in all
of those instances it also ended the relationships that resulted
in the pregnancy. I have also supported friends who
have chosen not to end an unplanned pregnancy. Sometimes
the relationships survived and sometimes they didn’t
but however things resolved was for the best.
To my boyfriend things in life were black and white:
1. If you supported the right to choose you must be willing
to decide that having an abortion was an option.
2. We would stay together even if I ended the pregnancy
because we loved each other.
3. Me not having an abortion wasn’t fair to him because
it took away his right to choose.
Nothing about abortion is black and white. I was an adult
in my 30’s with a good job. I knew that if he decided that
he was going to leave and not be a father to our child I
would be okay—I had accepted this and knew it was a
possibility. This is the choice I made when I had unprotected
sex. My boyfriend had played the odds that because
of my age and his that unprotected sex wasn’t likely
to result in a pregnancy, and if it did, I would have an abortion
because I believed in a woman’s right to choose. He
wanted to know why he didn’t get a say in the pregnancy.
He didn’t like my answer: “You did choose. You chose to
have unprotected sex knowing that I have always wanted
to be a mother. Your choice now is are you going to be a
father or are you going to walk away and leave me to raise
our baby on my own?” If I had an abortion, our relationship
was over so he needed to make the decision if he was
in or out because I wasn’t having one. I was having a baby.
To me:
1. Abortion is not the same thing as birth control.
2. Abortion is the hardest decision that a woman ever
has to make and it is an extremely difficult decision.
3. IF a woman uses abortion as birth control or makes the
decision to end her pregnancy easily than it is probably
the best decision for the potential child.
4. I would support anyone who told me that they were
making that decision no matter what their reason was. I will
not judge a person for making such a difficult decision.
I will always make a blanket or a garment for a baby who
is coming into this world. I will always support a person
who loses a baby through choice or through fate. I will
never judge someone making a choice I could not make
myself. I may wish from time to time that I didn’t marry my
husband but I have never wished that I didn’t give birth to
my children. I will never think that my decision is the right
decision for someone else.
19

MURDERKNITS
Liz Clothier Designs
COWL
Murder, Mystery and Mayhem are happening
in the New Orleans knitting community.
Join in and use the clues to figure out WhoDoneKnit.
GAUGE
24 sts by 28 rows = 4” x 4”/10 cm x10cm. In Stockinette
SIZE
8.5”/22 cm from top to bottom and 10”/25.5 cm wide lying flat
YARN
Mystery Mouse Yarns DK (246 yd/225 m 3.5 oz/100 g)
WhoDoneKnit ~70 grams
NEEDLES
US 4 (3.5mm) 16-inch circular or dpns.
(Or size needed to get gauge)
MATERIALS
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers
Scissors
PATTERN
Cast on 128 stitches and join in the round,
placing marker for beginning of the round.
K1, p1 around for 1.25”.
Set up rows:
K32 stitches, place marker, repeat around.
There will be 4 sections.
On next round you will start the cable sections.
K4, work round 1 of chart, k4, slip marker, repeat around.
Continue knitting around and complete chart rounds 1-28 once
then repeat rounds 1-14 one more time.
Knit one round.
K1, p1 around for 1.25”.
Bind off loosely, weave in ends, and block.
20

Murderous knits from the archive
SOLDIER ACCUSED OF WIFE MURDER SHOT
KNITTING PULLOVER – ALLEGED STATEMENT
The trial was continued at the Old
Bailey today of Nathaniel Joseph Barnett,
25, a soldier who has pleaded
not guilty to the murder of his wife,
Adelaide Doreen Barnett, at Stanger-
Road, South Norwood, London.
It is alleged by the prosecution that
Barnett, coming home on leave, shot
her with a service rifle.
Today Police-Constable Temple said
that Barnett came to him in the street
and said, I want to use a telephone
and call an ambulance, I have shot
my wife.”
Later they went to Stanger-Road,
where he saw the body of Mrs. Barnett
on bed. Barnett remarked: I was
cleaning my rifle, and it accidentally
went off.
Police-Sergeant Hibberd said that
Barnett took him into a back room
and said: I don’t know. I am sorry
now.” Barnett took two pieces of
paper from his pocket and gave them
to him, saying, I have known you for
a long time, sergeant. Please take
these and keep them.”
One of the notes, addressed to
“Dear Arthur,” was in Mrs. Barnett’s
handwriting. The other was signed
by a man.
Sitting on bed.
Inspector Wright said that Barnett
made a statement in which he described
how he was handed two
letters and then decided to see his
wife with a view to getting evidence
for a divorce. Referring to the shooting
the alleged statement went on,
“She was sitting on the bed knitting a
pullover for a man named George, a
married man with two children. I felt
riled to think she should knit this for
a civilian and a married man. I would
not have minded had it been for a
soldier. I suddenly picked up my rifle
from across my knees. The barrel was
pointing towards her head and I suddenly
pulled the trigger. I really
wanted to scare her.”
Mr. Eric Neve, K.C. (for the defence):
His wife was no good to him?
– Inspector Wright; None at all. [Sic]
The inspector said that in the room
at Stanger-Road was found a number
of letters from men, and also a list of
men’s names. While Barnett and his
wife were together there was no
doubt she did him incalculable harm.
Since joining the Army he had become
a 100 per cent man.
This concluded the evidence for the
prosecution, and Barnett went into
the witness-box.
Barnett said that he had overstayed
his leave by five days on the day of
the shooting. He and his wife were
sitting on the bed. She was knitting a
pullover and she held it up saying,
“This will fit him.” He knew to
whom his wife was referring. At the
time he was cleaning his rifle.
Mr. Neve: Did you intend to use the
rifle against your wife – No.
“TO SCARE HER”
Questioned by Mr. G. B. McClure
(prosecuting) as to why he put the
round in the rifle Barnett said, I really
wanted to scare her.”
Mr. McClure: And the way you
wanted to scare her was to fire it in
her presence, if not at her? – No. I
really did not want to fire it.
Barnett said that he did not show
the round to his wife. He forgot that
it was in the rifle when he was cleaning
it.
Barnett was handed a rifle and
asked to demonstrate how he was
cleaning it. He pulled a handkerchief
several times through the trigger
guard.
He was asked to fire the rifle and,
pointing it towards the ceiling, he
pulled the trigger.
Barnett said, he did not ‘deliberately
pull the trigger with the intention
of firing the gun’.
Liverpool Evening Express
- Tuesday 23 September 1941
KNITTING NEEDLE IN
HEART MAN UNCHANGED
Anthony Regan, sentenced to life imprisonment at the Old
Bailey in September for stabbing his wife to death, was today
still in the sick bay at Wandsworth Prison, London, where he
was taken yesterday after being found with a knitting needle
sticking in his heart. No change in his condition was reported
today.
Edinburgh Evening News
- Saturday 03 November 1962
21

Murderous knits from the archive
NEW JUDGE KNITS HIS SOCKS
Mr. Roland Giffard Oliver, K.C., and
Mr. Reginald Powell Croom-Johnson,
K.C. M.P., have been appointed Justices
of the High Court of Justice,
King's Bench Division. Viscount Finlay,
Sir Arthur F. C. C. Luxmoor. and
Sir Rayner Goddard are to be new
Lords Mr. Roland Justices of Appeal.
All are paid £5,000 a year.
Sir Arthur Luxmoore has been a
Judge of the Chancery Division, High
Court, since 1929. He was born in
1876. He is an old Rugby football Blue
and international who played for England
in the 'nineties. He has the reputation
of knitting his own socks.
Mr. Oliver. who is fifty-four, prosecuted
in the Thompson-Bywaters
murder case, the Harris “fireraising”
trial, and the trial of Captain Miles,
Chief of the London Salvage Corps.
He appeared for the Bishop of Norwich
in the case of the Rector of Stiffkey.
He was a member of the Budget
Secrets tribunal. In July he appeared
for Mr. Aleck Bourne, the Wimpole
Street surgeon.
Mr. Croom-Johnson, who is fiftynine,
has represented the Bridgwater
Division of Somerset as a Conservative
M.P. since 1929.
Sir Rayner Goddard was made a
High Court Judge in March 1932. He
is sixty-one. Since then he has been in
a number of sensational murder trials.
Viscount Finlay is sixty-three. He
sentenced the Dartmoor mutineers
and has sat at many murder trials.
The appointment of Mr. Croom-
Johnson will cause a by-election at
Bridgwater. At the General Election in
1935 he had a majority of 19,567.
Daily Mirror
- Tuesday 11 October 1938
SHE KEPT ON KNITTING
– NEW JERSEY WOMAN
FOILS ARMED BANDITS
Camden. New Jersey (Reuter). By
calmly going on knitting when three
masked and armed bandits shouted
“Hands up!” a woman here has saved
£14 cash and a £7O diamond ring.
She is Mrs Mary Glowscki, the wife
of a local baker. She was sitting in the
bakery when the attack was made,
with the cash and the ring on her lap.
Her husband was checking the week's
receipts.
“I’ll shoot,” announced one of the
robbers.
“Then you'll be charged with murder
as well as robbery” she calmly replied.
Another of the men then suggested
that a hasty retreat was preferable to
arguing with a woman who went on
knitting in the face of a hold-up – so
they all fled. After they had gone Mrs.
Glowscki fainted.
Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail
- Friday 25 January 1935
22

GAUGE FREE
Morticia Shawl
Any needle size
Any yarn weight
Knit to desired size
by Murder Knits
PATTERN
Cast on 3 sts
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: K1, m1 (use preferred increase, yarn over
or make 1 left/right) k to last stitch, sl1
Row 3: K to last st, sl1
Repeat rows 2-3 until desired size.
Cast off, weave in ends, and block as needed.
Sample is knit with dk weight yarn, using 200 grams
in total on size US 7 (4.5 mm) needles.
23

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24

By Mommy Dreary
Mrs. Peacock in the
kitchen with the…
I recently had the pleasure to test knit the “Weapon
of Choice” cowl by Neil James (appearing in this issue
on page 26). While the pattern is lovely as written, I
really wanted to add more color to the playing pieces.
I initially thought I would duplicate stitch the player
pieces in their respective colors, but after seeing a
couple of different mentions of using Sharpies on
wool, I did a little research on the technique.
There are a lot of tutorials and blog posts about
using Sharpies/markers to dye wool. In most of these
tutorials, the markers are used on sock blanks or involve
creating a dye from the marker felt. I did not see
much information about using Sharpies for color detail
but decided to give it a try anyway.
As anyone who has played with dye will tell you,
dye runs, so it is very difficult to maintain a precise border
when dyeing textiles. Having tie-dyed t-shirts, I
knew that it would be a big risk in attempting to dye
small sections of my finished project. However, because
my background color was dark, I figured that,
worst-case scenario, I would have to duplicate stitch
the players as I had initially planned.
While I can’t guarantee your outcomes, here is
what I did:
First, I put a barrier between the front and back of
my project to keep the color from bleeding through
the fabric.
I colored the specified section with the permanent
marker. The color does fade a bit, so be prepared to
really go over the working area with the marker. For
this project, I recommend doing one player at a time
or skipping a couple of players.
Next, I carefully spritzed the colored area with 91%
rubbing alcohol (you could also use an eye dropper).
Sharpie?
You want to take care that you are using enough alcohol
to allow the color to sink into the wool, but you do
not want to saturate the whole piece because the
color will follow the alcohol.
I used cotton swabs to dab the area around the
dyed sections and to absorb any excess liquid/color.
Do not smash down the dyed area because you will
push the dye outward.
If I needed to add color after the alcohol solution, I
went back over the area with the marker and then
dabbed with an alcohol-moistened cotton swab.
Once you are happy with your color, let the piece
dry and then set the color with an iron on the highest
heat setting for three to four minutes. Heat setting is
the KEY to color fastness. Because your wool hasn’t
been soaked in a solution before dyeing, it will not be
colorfast without heat setting. You will lose some color
when washing, so I recommend having a color catcher
in the wash tub.
*IMPORTANT: I colored 100% Superwash wool. I
am not sure how well this technique works on other
fibers/blends.
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/
25

WEAPON OF
CHOICE OR
CLUE(DO)
COWL
by Uknitted Kingdom
DK (marker-colored player) Version at right:
YARN:
Dark Brown (MC) – Willow Yarns Daily DK Yarn
(3.5 oz/100g 284 yd/260m, 100% Superwash wool)
1 skein Dark Chocolate
Gold – Yarn Bee Must Be Merino ({Discontinued}
3.5 oz/100 g, 227 yards/208 m 50% Merino Wool/25%
Acrylic/25% Nylon) 1 skein Gold
White - Yorkie Yarns Simply B DK
(3.5 oz/100 g, 245 yds/224m 75% Superwash Merino/25%
Nylon) 1 skein Hint
Red, Green, Blue, Purple, and Yellow various DK from stash.
NEEDLES:
US Size 6 (4.0mm) 32” circular needles
US Size 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needles
GAUGE:
25 sts x 27 rnds = 4” x 4”
FINISHED SIZE:
30” around by 18” tall
Fingering (Blue Player) Version
YARN:
Unknown fingering-weight yarns from stash using the following approximate amounts:
Black (MC) – 175 g
Blue – 20 g
Red – 10 g
Yellow – 20 g
Green – 20 g
White – 20 g
Purple – 15 g
NEEDLES:
US Size 2 (2.75 mm) 24” circular needle
US Size 3 (3.25 mm) 24” circular needle
Gauge:
30 sts x 30 rnds = 4” x 4”
Finished Size:
29” around by 15.5” tall
26

DIRECTIONS:
Using MC and smaller needles, CO 216 stitches.
Follow Chart 1 (Bottom Rib), repeat 54 times around.
Switch to larger needles and follow Chart 2 (Break),
repeat 72 times around.
Follow Chart 3 (Dice), repeat 4 times around.
Follow Chart 2 (Break), repeat 72 times around.
Follow Chart 4 (Player), repeat 24 times around. (For easy
muti-colored player pieces, see page 25 for tutorial.
Chart 2 (Break)
Follow Chart 2 (Break), repeat 72 times around.
Follow Chart 5 (Weapons), repeat 4 times around.
Follow Chart 2 (Break), repeat 72 times around.
Chart 1
(Bottom Ribbing)
Chart 6
(Top Ribbing)
Switch to smaller needles and follow Chart 6 (Top Rib),
repeat 54 times around.
Bind off loosely.
Chart 4 (Player)
Chart 3 (Dice)
Chart 5 (Weapons)
27

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1
FULL CHART

Murder Mystery
CROSSWORD
DOWN:
1. A greenhouse, usually attached to a dwelling,
for growing and displaying plants.
2. The original name for the game Clue.
4. Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa ________,
Lady Mallowan
5. A room in which meals are eaten, especially
the room in which the major or more formal
meals are eaten.
7. The large entrance room of a house or
building.
9. A room for sitting, waiting, relaxing, etc.
10. Hidden routes used for stealthy travel,
escape, or movement of people and
goods, sometimes taking you to another
place more quickly than the obvious route.
13. A group of yarns, plies, fibers, or strands
that are twisted or braided together into
a larger and stronger form.
14. A room under the ground floor of a
building, usually used for storing things.
17. A metal tool with a shaped end, used to
turn nuts and bolts in the UK.
18. A short, swordlike weapon with a pointed
blade and a handle, used for stabbing.
20. Anything that serves to guide or direct
in the solution of a mystery.
21. To arrive at a conclusion by conjecture,
chance, or intuition.
23. A room or place equipped for cooking.
24. A hollow cylinder used for the conveyance
of water, gas, steam, petroleum, etc. within
a home or business, made of a soft, silvery
white or greyish metal, which is poisonous
to humans in large quantities.
27. A device having a socket or a spike for
holding a candle.
28. The housekeeper (maid).
ACROSS:
3. The femme fatale.
6. A room in a house, club, etc., where
billiards is played.
8. The military officer who retired after a
distinguished career.
11. A handgun with a revolving chambered
cylinder for holding several cartridges,
which may be discharged in succession
without reloading.
12. A room or rooms set apart to contain
books and other material for reading,
viewing, listening, study, or reference.
15. The absent-minded academic.
16. A room, especially in a house, used for
quiet work such as reading or writing.
19. Number 17 down, but in the USA.
22. The unlawful killing of a human being
without malice aforethought.
25. A large room with a polished floor for
dancing.
26. When the killer is a woman.
28. The widowed socialite.
29. The local clergyman.
30

31

y D. Marie Prokop
Reclaim
Nellie Blue turned to her handsome beau in the
driver’s seat, and said “Ted Tickerson, where are you
taking us? At least give us a hint.”
The remainder of the Miss Marple Knitting Club reiterated
her plea from the backseat. Nellie’s two best
friends had agreed to accompany them on this mystery
quest. Beth and Charlie (short for Charlotte) were
good sports – when they weren’t fighting with each
other, that is.
Ted winked in the rearview mirror. “You’ll have to
wait and see.”
They moaned, then grabbed their knitting bags.
Beth asked, “How long will it take to get there? I’m on
the mindless knitting portion of this sock now, but if I
get to the heel, I’m going to need help. Oh, I forgot to
bring snacks. And – ”
“Hey, Ted! Where’s your phone?” Nellie interrupted.
“How do you know where to go?”
He smirked. “Don’t worry, I won’t get lost. It’s an
easy drive. You have approximately an hour to kill,
Beth.”
“Oh, you won’t get to the heel in an hour,” Charlie
snickered. “You’re the slowest knitter ever, Beth.” She
pulled out a fluorescent green and black skull and
crossbones colorwork project from a bag with the
words “Feeling Stabby” emblazoned on the side. Charlie
had taught them all how to knit. Nellie had caught
on fast, but Beth was a slower learner.
“Aren’t you all sweetness and sunshine today?,”
Beth scowled. Charlie stuck out her pierced tongue
and knitted, the quick metal needles flashing in the
noontime sun. Beth and Charlie were light and dark,
north and south. Beth’s family had fostered Charlie for
two years now. She had been a ward of the state since
she was two-years-old. Her grievances were valid,
though misplaced. Nellie sighed, remembering how
angsty Charlie had been before Beth’s mother had
taught her to knit. She was much nicer now.
Nellie gave Beth some encouragement. “You’re
doing great. You’re already knitting socks. That’s a serious
challenge. Turning a heel is so satisfying – like figuring
out who the criminal is before the big reveal.”
“Well, I haven’t finished one yet,” she responded.
Charlie was right. Beth didn’t reach the heel before
Ted exited the freeway. The next road was unfamiliar.
He slowed as they passed a sign welcoming them to
The Village of St. Anthony, population 240. Large, twostory
houses with wrap-around porches and balconies
lined the main street. Ahead, a sign beside a large
mailbox in front of a Tudor-style home read “Estate
Sale 1-3 pm Saturday.” Ted parked on the street half a
block away.
“What’s an estate sale?,” Beth asked.
“It’s a garage sale for rich jerks,” Charlie answered.
They exited the car. Across the street, an old, cherryred
convertible caught Nellie’s eye. A woman sat behind
the wheel and wiped tears from her eyes while
her shoulders shook. It hurt to watch her, so Nellie
looked away. By the time curiosity tempted her to
glance back, the woman had disappeared.
The knitting club wandered the lawn through a
maze of furniture, card tables, and boxes overflowing
with everything from ugly curtains to antique spoons.
“Why did you bring us here, Ted? Hoping to add to
your record collection? You know you were born in the
wrong century, right?” Charlie rock ’n’ rolled her dark,
kohl black-lined eyes.
Ted collected classic vinyl records of various genres.
Presently he was obsessed with the Ramones, a
punk-rock band from the 1970s, so her jab was legitimate.
“Maybe I just want to have something to do. Who
knows what hidden gems we could find here? I still
need to reclaim a sweater, like Beth suggested at last
month’s meeting. Remember? To recycle the wool?”
Nellie stopped in her tracks. “Wait a second – that
name on the mailbox sounds familiar. Bennie Brown.
Where have I heard that name before?”
Beth adjusted her slouchy pink hat. “Bennie
Brown… didn’t he have a podcast or something?”
Nellie’s eyes lit up. “That’s right! He’s a knitting designer.
What was his podcast called?”
Continued on next page...
32

Reclaim Continued...
“The Corner Market Cousins.” Charlie tugged at
her gray, cabled fingerless mitts. “It was super corny,
but Bennie Brown was brilliant. This is one of his designs.
His cousin wasn’t even a knitter. Whatever happened
to them? Probably offended someone
powerful, huh?”
Beth shrugged. “They just disappeared.”
Ted’s mouth curled up on the sides. “Bennie
didn’t just disappear. He died last week.”
Nellie twirled a blonde lock. “He wasn’t that old –
our parents’ age, I bet. How did he die?”
Ted showed her his phone. Nellie read the post
out loud. “Benjamin Rochester Brown’s death remains
a mystery. The authorities report he died of an
overdose of prescription drugs, and an investigation
is ongoing. His cousin and podcast partner, Ralph
Watson, created a charity for suicide awareness in
Bennie’s name. Click here to donate.”
“I know how much you love a mystery, Nellie, but
this place feels a bit morbid, even for me,” Charlie
said as she riffled through a box. “O. M. G., guys, look
what I found!”
They gathered around her as she displayed beautiful
sweater after beautiful sweater. They could only
assume each one was a Bennie Brown original pattern
sample. “These are all marked $25. What the – ”
Beth pointed at the house’s driveway. “Uh, isn’t
that your dad’s car, Nellie?”
It was. Ted didn’t seem surprised by his presence.
Nellie narrowed her eyes at him. “Why is my dad
here?”
A deep voice behind them replied, “I’m a probate
attorney for the deceased. Ted must have mentioned
that, as he is our firm’s new summer intern.”
Ted reached into his backpack and retrieved a
manila envelope. He handed it to Mr. Blue. “This arrived
in the mail yesterday. Mr. Fox said you’ve been
waiting for it, so I volunteered to deliver it to you personally.”
Mr. Blue took the envelope and thanked Ted. He
seemed to forget Nellie was there. “I hope it’s okay
that we’re here, Dad.”
Without looking up, he replied, “You’re as welcome
as anyone to buy or bid on the remaining
property of the deceased. Nellie, your love for true
crime and mysterious deaths and all that must be
hard to suppress, but you must. I can only imagine
the questions forming in your little gray cells. But I
can’t answer them.”
“Client confidentiality agreement?” Beth asked.
Mr. Blue hesitated as he perused their disappointed
faces. “Something like that.” He looked
back to the envelope in his hand.
Charlie scoffed. “What are you afraid of? Deceased
people can’t fire their lawyers, can they?”
“Uh… well… that’s… I work for the deceased family’s
interests. Some of them are quite alive.”
Nellie grabbed Charlie’s arm and pulled her back
to the box of sweaters. “Don’t worry, Dad, we’ll leave
you alone. As far as you’re concerned, we’re just here
shopping.”
Mr. Blue frowned. “Good. You can bring your selections
to the garage.” He shuffled to the front door
and greeted a short, plump woman with curly brown
hair and a saccharine smile. “That’s Mrs. Watson,” Ted
said. “Cousin Ralph’s wife. She’s in charge of the charity.
Part of the proceeds from the estate sale go to it.”
“Hey, Ted. Since you aren’t an attorney, nothing is
keeping you from answering my questions,” Nellie
said.
Ted grinned. He loved how much Nellie enjoyed
sleuthing. Her pretty eyes sparkled even more when
there was a mystery afoot. “I’m not at liberty to divulge
confidential information, but I can’t stop you
from coming to your own conclusions. Your dad already
gave you a hint. What was it?”
Nellie thought it over. “He said that he knows I
love true crime and mysterious deaths. Oh – Bennie’s
death wasn’t a suicide, was it?”
“Consider the facts. The sheriff hasn’t closed the
case, even though the press claims his death was an
accidental overdose and his cousin assumes it was a
suicide. Does the sheriff have a reason to mislead the
media?”
“He suspects foul play and wants to fool the perpetrator?”
Nellie asked.
“That’s possible. Make the murderer believe they
got away with it, so they relax and slip up. Another interesting
fact: they have not found the will. The extended
family is in limbo. Some say the Watsons
started the suicide awareness fund as a backup
hedge fund. People on the socials claim he had a falling
out with his cousin – his only blood relative. This
estate must be worth a fortune.”
Charlie swept her finger over a gold embossed
cover of Jane Eyre. “People have killed for less. How
Continued on next page...
33

Reclaim Continued...
can a lowly knitwear designer afford to live in a snooty
place like this?”
Before Ted could reply, Nellie interrupted. “Let me
guess.” She scanned the estate sale, noting the mismatched
styles of furniture and decor. Even the two
cars in the garage were as different as Beth and Charlie.
“He inherited money from,” she picked up a set of
monogrammed towels edged with lace, “his widowed
mother.”
“That seems plausible,” Ted said, grinning. Nellie
beamed at him.
Beth dragged out a box hidden under an overloaded
card table. She leaned in and exclaimed, “This
is perfect!” She lifted a massive curtain of gray stockinette
and pushed it into Ted’s reluctant arms.
“Perfect?”
“To reclaim the wool, silly. It follows all the rules: It’s
a pullover. It’s one color. Unfortunately, it has a big kangaroo
pocket, but I bet Charlie can finagle it off without
ruining it.”
Charlie winked. “Sure, no problem-o.”
Ted held the sweater up. It was so big that two of
him could fit inside.
“This must have been a sample of the largest size.”
Nellie flipped over the back to search for a tag. A handwritten
label safety pinned there read 4XL.
They purchased the sweater for $25, marveling at
the fantastic deal. That much wool from a knit store
might cost hundreds, depending on the brand.
The house was open, so they decided to take a tour,
i.e., look for clues. As all the furnishings were on the
front lawn, their footsteps echoed off the yellow-papered
walls and high ceilings.
“I just got shivers,” Beth said.
Charlie gulped. “Me too. What a lonely place. All
this space for one person? What a waste.”
“I watched his podcast once,” Nellie said. “He was a
straight-laced, serious guy. His cousin, Ralph, was a
jokester. Mom said they reminded her of Laurel and
Hardy.” Charlie raised an eyebrow. Nellie added, “It’s
an old television show.”
Charlie waved her hand at Nellie and Ted. “You
were both born in the wrong century.”
Beth whispered, “I wonder if the rumors are true.”
“What rumors?” a strange voice asked behind them.
They turned to see a stocky man with a dark mustache
and round, dimpled cheeks. Beth stifled a grin as her
imagination conjured up an image of a mouse with a
mustache and spectacles. “Hello, I’m Ralph Watson, the
jokester cousin. And who are you, fine young folks?”
“I’m Ted Tickerson. I work for the Blue, Sayers, and
Fox Family Law Firm, and this is Mr. Blue’s daughter,
Nellie.” They shook hands with Mr. Watson.
“And who are these two lovely ladies?” Ralph
tipped his head toward Beth and Charlie.
Charlie crossed her arms and scowled, but Beth returned
his smile. “We’re Nellie’s bestest friends. I’m
Beth Hastings and this is my sister – ”
“Foster sister. My name is Charlie.”
“Charlie? Short for Charlotte?”
“Yes, good guess. Charlotte Jane, if you must
know.”
His jovial face darkened. “My cousin was a fan of
the Brontes, too.”
“The who?”
“Never mind.”
Loud voices wafted in from the open window, distracting
them. Their curiosity peaked. Nellie was the
first one to reach the window.
Two women faced each other. One was Mrs. Watson,
but the shadow of a sprawling oak obscured the
other woman’s face. She wore a long white sundress
with a light shawl draped over her thin shoulders. They
both appeared agitated. Hands in fists, hair loose, faces
red.
“Leave this property. You are not welcome here!”
Mrs. Watson said.
The mystery woman spoke through heaving sobs.
“You have no right to tell me where I can or cannot go.”
“I saw that woman earlier,” Nellie said. “She was sitting
in an old convertible when we arrived, crying.”
Ralph’s round face turned beet red. “The audacity!”
He scurried through the house and out the front door.
The rest of the gang followed the drama. The
woman in white wiped her eyes with a tissue while Mrs.
Watson continued to berate her.
“You left him all those years ago and broke his
heart. He never recovered and now – and now – ”
“I made a mistake. I’ve made so many mistakes. But
I’ve changed. Praise God, I’m sober and stable now. I
wish it hadn’t taken me so long to get my life right. I
never imagined Bennie would die before I could tell
him the truth – ”
Continued on next page...
34

Reclaim Continued...
Ralph interrupted. He pointed at Mr. Blue. “Rose, my
lawyer is here. Do I also need to call the Sheriff? My
wife asked you to leave.”
Mr. Blue approached the scene, his jaw clenched
tight. Nellie hoped he wouldn’t be too hard on the
poor sad woman. He could be downright stern in the
courtroom, or when Nellie asked too many questions.
“Miss, what is your name?” he asked gently.
The woman straightened like a plant in sunlight. “I’m
Rose Collins.”
“Ah, Rose Collins. I’ve been looking for you.”
“You have?”
He pulled out the manila envelope Ted had delivered.
Opening it, he handed her the sheet inside. “I
have the results of the test Bennie agreed to take for
you. You may want to sit down.”
He guided her over to a set of dining chairs. She sat
down and read the paper. Tears cascaded down her
cheeks. “What do I do now?”
“You can tell her,” he said and pointed at the gang.
Her wet eyes glimpsed Ted, Nellie, Beth, and Charlie.
They all stood there, perplexed.
“What the devil is going on?” Charlie asked.
The woman gasped. “You sound just like Benjamin.”
As the woman approached, Charlie backed up. “I
don’t know you, lady.”
“That’s true, and I’m eternally sorry for that. I’d like to
spend the rest of my life making it up to you if you’ll let
me. We can start by having dinner if you’d like.”
Charlie stared at her, mute.
The woman continued, “I’m your mother.”
Finally, Charlie spoke again. “Why are you here?”
“Benjamin Brown and I were both English majors at
college. We were young, crazy, and foolish then. We
fought over the stupidest things, and I left him. When I
found out I was pregnant, I thought I could handle it all
by myself. I tried my best, but I failed you, Charlotte. My
friends convinced me to let someone else care for you
until I got my life together.”
“Took you long enough!” Charlie retorted. “Why
didn’t my father raise me?”
“I never told anyone who the father was. I wasn’t
sure. Not until now.” She held up a lab sheet. “This
proves you’re Benjamin’s daughter.”
Mr. Blue cleared his throat. “And you’re his sole
heir.”
Ralph Watson burst out, “But there’s no will! Surely
the law won’t allow an estranged child to inherit over
those of us who have known and loved him our whole
lives.”
“I’ve only ever wanted one thing, and it wasn’t
money,” Charlie said, a tear coursing down her cheek.
She fell into Rose’s arms. Rose embraced her long-lost
daughter.
Red and blue lights flashed from the street as a police
car entered the driveway. Mr. Blue addressed the
officer, “What’s the matter, sir?”
“I called them,” Mrs. Watson said with a huff.
“You did? Well, what a coincidence.” The officer
reached for his handcuffs and approached her. “Mrs.
Watson, I’m here to arrest you for the murder of Benjamin
Brown. You have the right to remain silent.” When
he finished reading her Miranda rights, his partner
opened the door of his vehicle and Mrs. Watson reluctantly
climbed inside.
Ralph ran to the car window. “What did you do?”
Her saccharine smile distorted into an evil smirk.
“What you couldn’t.”
Nellie was aghast. She’d never seen this coming.
She hadn’t had enough time or enough clues to figure
out this mystery, she told herself. It was an impossible
task, like when mystery authors trick the reader by withholding
vital information. But Nellie’s frustration dissipated
as she watched Charlie speaking with her birth
mother.
“She’s like the sweater,” Beth said, sniffling. “She’s
been reclaimed.”
Nellie threw her arm around Beth’s shoulders.
Ted retrieved the massive sweater from the bag.
What a great reminder this yarn will be of this day, he
thought. He folded the sweater before returning it to
the bag and noticed something stiff inside the kangaroo
pocket. “How did this get here?,” he asked himself
and pulled out the item. It was an envelope. He opened
it and read the document inside, his face erupting with
glee. “Mr. Blue, did someone say Mr. Brown’s will was
missing? Guess what I found!”
35

By Uknitted Kingdom
GREEN &
CABBAGE-LOOKING
Several years ago, a friend asked me to knit a hat as a
gift for his Chinese mother-in-law. He (from Ecuador) and
his wife (from China) were traveling back to Sichuan Province
the following week.
As it happened, I was just finishing off a simple beanie
in a stunning green color. At the time, the pair were staying
with me whilst they purchased their own home. He
and I were both happy, he had a unique, hand-made
present for his mother-in-law, and I had spread some joy
with my knitting.
Not long after, he proudly took the hat to show his wife
and all hell broke loose. Normally quietly spoken and reserved,
his wife was shouting, in Mandarin. She wasn’t
angry at me, but it turns out she was deeply offended
that her husband, fluent in Mandarin and having lived in
China for a decade prior, would even think about giving
her mother a green hat!
She explained, to wear a green hat meant that your
partner was having an affair. I laughed. “What? Why
would you advertise that your partner was having an affair?”
The logic wasn’t “logic-ing.”
She went on to say that if you visit China and wear a
green hat, you will be openly mocked. Expect to be ostracized,
pointed at, and laughed at. Even Western tourists
are subjected to this bizarre treatment.
I’ve since learned more about this green hat discrimination.
It applies to any head covering; hat, hood, headscarf,
bandana, anything! Basically, if it is green do not
put it on your head. The only exception to this is military
hats.
To my knowledge, there are no other taboos in modern
China associated
with green.
Green, as a color, is
as popular in China
as any other. I wondered
if this was a
regional curiosity,
but no, it is widespread
across
China. It is also believed in Hong Kong, arguably the
most “Western” of China’s regions. Considering Hong
Kong was a British territory between 1842 and 1997 (except
from 1941 to 1945 when it was occupied by Japan)
this cultural phenomenon must have been a legacy of
the Qing Dynasty (1636 to 1912) if not earlier.
There are several widely accepted explanations for the
green hat superstition:
• In the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907AD), green clothes
were worn by the lowest-ranking officials. Criminals were
also made to wear green as a method of identification.
• In the Yuan Dynasty (1271 to 1368AD) and the Ming
Dynasty (1368 to 1644AD) prostitutes and their immediate
relatives, labeled “the family of the green lantern”
were forced to wear green headwear so “polite society”
could avoid them when seen. Where Western prostitutes
and their customers may frequent a “Red Light District,”
in China and other Eastern countries, this is known as a
“Green Light/Lantern District.”
• The Chinese word for “cuckold” (a man whose wife is
unfaithful) is the same or similar in sound to “to wear a
green hat.”
However, the following explanation is the most enduring:
“The Cheating Wife and the Cuckold Husband”
During the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 AD), there was a
dedicated scholar named Li Yuanming ( 李 缘 铭 ) who
married a beautiful woman named Cifu ( 辞 赋 ). Being
the intense literati that he was, Li Yuanming would often
meet with friends to compose, analyze, and debate poetry
late into the night. Often, he would travel away on
long business trips,
leaving his wife
alone for days on
end. Cifu began to
feel sad and neglected.
During one
of her husband’s
trips, she fell in love
with their next-door
36

By Uknitted Kingdom
neighbor, a widowed cloth merchant.
At this time, it was common for scholars to wear
special green hats to mark their profession. To signal
to her secret lover that her husband was away and it
was safe to be together, Cifu would put on the green
hat and walk along on the street outside. This went on
for quite some time until one day Li Yuanming forgot
a volume of poetry. He rushed back home only to discover
the affair. In a fit of blinding rage, Li Yuanming
threw the two out of the house, making quite the
scene for passersby. Word of Li Yuanming’s shame
spread throughout the village, especially Cifu’s usage
of her husband’s green hat. (Why wearing a green hat
symbolizes infidelity in China 2024)
The moral of this story: unless you want to cause an
international incident, never give a Chinese person a
green hat, imply they should wear a green hat, or
wear a green hat in their presence!
With St Patrick’s Day approaching on 17 March 2024,
if you are in China or your local Chinatown, rather
than appearing “green and cabbage-looking,” it
might be wiser to avoid celebrating whilst sporting a
green hat.
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/hk-magazine/article/2038125/wear-green-hat?campaign=2038125&module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article
https://zolimacitymag.com/pop-cantonese-%E6%88%B4%E7%B6%A0%E5%B8%BD-wearing-green-hat/
https://stephwaxpoetic.com/2021/03/17/why-wearing-a-green-hat-symbolizes-infidelity-in-china-%E6%88%B4%E7%BB%BF%E5%B8%BD%E5%AD%90/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green#Love_and_sexuality
https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/29242/%E6%88%B4%E7%BB%BF%E5%B8%BD%E5%AD%90-as-based-on-a-pun
Crossword Answers:
37

Simple Knits
Enjoy!

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