Leicester Hat and Mitts to Knit

Inna Voltchkova created this hat and mitt set using yarn produced by Wool Out of Wales, a company specializing in wool from Leicester Longwool sheep. According to the company, the unique climate of Wales allows a long grass-growing season, which in turn contributes to a lustrous and long-staple fleece.

Leicester Longwool yarn pairs well with knitted textures created using cable, bobbles, and rogozka patterns. Pronounced “ro-go-zh-ka,” this Russian word refers to a thick fabric with a textured, checkered surface.

Materials

• Wool Out of Wales (Lana dal Gailes) Black Leicester Longwool, 100% wool yarn, fingering weight, 546 yard (500 m)/3.53 oz (100 gram) skein, 1 skein Natural Grigio (See “Historic Leicester Longwools” above for additional yarn resource.)
• Needles, Addi Lace size 2 (3 mm) circ 16 inches (40 cm), and set of Addi FlexiFlips 4 or 5 double pointed size 2 (3 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
• Cable needle
• Stitch markers, 4 different colors or styles
• Smooth, contrasting waste yarn
• Tapestry needle

Finished size: Hat: 18 inches (45.7 cm) head circumference (will stretch to fit up to 20 inches [50.1 cm]) and 9¼ inches (23.5 cm) tall Mitts: 7 inches (17.8 cm) hand circumference and 7½ inches (19.1 cm) long Gauge: 20 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches (10.2 cm) in garter stitch using a double strand of yarn; 32 sts and 44 rounds = 4 inches (10.2 cm) in Rogozka patt using a single strand of yarn