A tam and wristers set inspired by Renaissance embroideries. This pattern was designed specifically to work with variegated yarns (see Note below), but solids and tonals are appropriate, too. Two versions are given: Version I is based on a stocking stitch fabric, while Version II is an exercise in Colorwork Brocade.

Size: Women’s Medium. Finished measurements after blocking: tam, approximately 10 1/2 inches (25 cm) in diameter across the top with an unstretched circumference of 16 (40 cm) inches at the rib; wristers, approximately 7 inches (18 cm) around and 5 1/2 inches (14 cm) long.

Needles: US #1 (2.25 mm) and US #3 (3.25 mm) needles or size to obtain gauge: one 16” circular needle in each size, plus one set of double-pointed needles in each size.

Gauge: 9 sts/inch on #1 (2.25 mm) needles measured over Chart 1 color pattern (unblocked); 7 sts/inch (2.5 cm) on #3 (3.25 mm) needles measured over Chart 2 color pattern (unblocked).

Yarn: Meadowlake Arts Eclat, 75% Superwash Merino Wool, 20% Nylon, 5% Gold Stellina, 3.5 oz (100g), 438 yds (400 m)
Main Color (MC) - one 3.5 oz (100g) skein Queen Mary Tudor
Contrast Color (CC) - one 3.5 oz (100g) skein Little Cloud

Note: To use a variegated colorway other than the one specified above, choose yarns of distinctly different values (lightness/darkness) and with no overlaps in color between MC and CC. Both long and relatively short repeats will work, though a very short repeat may be more successful in Colorwork Brocade than in stocking stitch. Self-patterning yarns, alas, are not recommended. Work a swatch of Chart 2 or Chart 2A to be certain that your yarns will play nicely together!