Pattern of the Month

Instructions

Note: Muff and all white borders are worked using yarn doubled.

Muff

Pocket lining:
Using two strands of white yarn, cast on 31 stitches and work 5 inches straight in stocking stitch.
Cast off.

Main Part:
Using two strands of red wool, cast on 49 stitches and work in pattern as follows:

1st row (right side facing): k1, * k1tbl, p1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k1tbl, k1.
2nd row: * k1, p1tbl; repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
3rd and 4th rows: As 1st and 2nd.
5th row: k1, * p1, k1tbl; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, p1, k1.
6th row: k1, * k1, p1tbl; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.
7th and 8th rows: As 5th and 6th.

These 8 rows form the pattern.
Continue straight in pattern until work measures 3 inches.
Make pocket opening as follows:

Next row: Pattern 9, cast off 31, pattern to end.
Next row: Pattern 9, cast on 31, pattern to end.

Continue straight in pattern until work measures 14 inches from start.
Cast off.

Borders:
Using two strands of white wool, cast on 11 stitches and
work as follows:
1st row: k2, (p1, k1) 4 times k1.
2nd row: (k1, p1) 5 times, k1.
Repeat these 2 rows until work measures 13 inches.
Cast off in rib.
Make another piece the same.

Making up

Press work lightly on wrong side under a damp cloth.
Cut a piece of lining material to correspond with main part.

Join short sides of muff; insert pocket, joining top to 31 cast-off stitches, then catch down pocket neatly all round.
Sew zip into opening.
Join end of borders and sew in position (stretching slightly) at each end on top of main part.

Turn muff inside out. Wrap 2 layers of wadding round muff and join ends. Join short sides of lining material. Slip lining over wadding and hem neatly to main work just inside ends of muff.
Turn right side out; brush up white borders to look like fur using a wire brush.
[Editor's note: Given the choice of yarns available today, you might consider using a textured or furry yarn for the white borders - either a DK equivalent that you use double or a thicker yarn that knits to the right tension.

I seem to remember from my youth that muffs generally had a string attached to hang them round your neck so that you could have both hands free if necessary. I'm not sure if this was just because I was a child and was the equivalent to having your gloves on a string (threaded through your coat sleeves!), but it certainly would make it more practical if you planned to use it for more than skating expeditions.]

Cap

Using single strand of red wool, cast on 108 stitches and work 4½ inches in k1/p1 rib. Change to twisted rib and shape crown as follows:

1st row: * p1, k1 through back of loop; repeat from * to end.
2nd row: * p1tbl, k1; repeat from * to end.
3rd row: (rib 16 as before, k2togtbl) 6 times.
4th row: Work in twisted rib as above.
5th row: (rib 15 as before, k2togtbl) 6 times.
6th row: Work in twisted rib as above.
7th row: (rib 14 as before, k2togtbl) 6 times.

Continue in twisted rib decreasing 6 stitches in the same way on every
alternate row until 36 stitches remain.

Next row: purl.
Next row: k2tog all across. [18 sts]
Next row: Purl.
Next row: k2tog all across. [9 sts]
Next row: Purl.

Break wool, draw through remaining stitches and fasten off.

Border:
Using two strands of white wool, make a border worked exactly as given for muff 17½ inches in length when slightly stretched.

Making up

Press lightly on wrong side under a damp cloth.
Join seam.
Fold under 2¼ inches of ribbing all round brim to wrong side and slip-hem in place.
Sew border all round hat on top of hem and brush up with a wire
brush as for muff.
Using white wool make a pom-pom and sew to top of hat.

Materials

Double knitting yarn: 8 oz in Scarlet and 4 oz in white.

One pair of No 7 (4½mm) needles.

6-inch zip fastener.

White fabric to line muff, and 2 pieces of wadding for padding.

Tension

Cap: 24 sts to 4 inches (10cm) over twisted rib pattern using single strand of yarn.
Muff: 20 sts to 4 inches (10cm) over basket rib pattern using two strands of yarn.

Size matters

Cap to fit "an average head".
Muff measures 9½ inches in width.

Abbreviations

k2tog or p2tog: work 2 sts together to decrease.

k1tbl/p1tbl: knit/purl 1 stitch through back loop.

k2togtbl/p2togtbl: knit/purl 2 stitches together through back loops.

stocking stitch: one row knit and one row purl, ("stockinette").

Disclaimer
(well...almost)

In transposing any pattern it is always a risk that errors will be introduced, in spite of dedicated proof reading.
If you have any problems with this pattern, please and I will try and assist.