Rib Stitch Hat
(as seen in 1959 Learn How Book)

At one point, I had three grandmas worth of yarn. One stash was given to me on the passing of my Great-Grandma Mary. Another stash came from a friend of my Grandma Nikki. The third was a big bag of acrylic I found at the thrift store. The bag was only 10 bucks, and also inside were some needles, a flower press, and a few books. This pattern is the wackiest of them, and comes from a Coats & Clark’s book, printed in 1959. I just had to share. I’m reproducing the pattern verbatim here, so if it’s confusing, I apologize.

Coats & Clark’s Red Heart Knitting Worsted 4 Ply, Art. E. 232: 1 skein (1 oz. “Tangle-Proof” Pull-Out Skein) of No. 1 White and 2 skeins of No. 848 Skipper Blue.Knitting Needles, 1 pair No. 6.

Plastic or Aluminum Crochet Hook No. G.

GAUGE: 5 sts = 1 inch; 6 rows = 1 inch.

Starting at lower edge with Blue, cast on 116 sts. 1st row: * K 2, p 2. Repeat from * across. Repeat first row until total length is 4 1/2 inches. Bind off in ribbing (knit the k sts, purl the p sts). Block. Sew narrow edges together for back seam.

FRINGE . . . Cut 58 strands of each color, 24 inches long. Working along bound off edge, fold a strand of Blue in half, insert crochet hook in first bound-off st and draw loop end through. Draw ends through loop and pull tight to form on fringe. In same way, fold a strand of White in half and make a fringe in next bound-off st. Continue in this way around entire edge of Hat, alternating colors. Wind a strand of Blue 6 times around all fringes about 4 inches from bound-off edge (or desired depth) and tie securely in place. Trim ends even. Turn up cuff.