Happy #Stonewall50! 2019 is a very special year in U.S. LGBTQ history as it marks the 50th anniversary of the June 1969 Stonewall Riots. LGBTQ people fought back during a routine police raid of the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City, which became a key turning point in the LGBTQ civil rights movement.

To commemorate this historic event, I created a headband pattern with letters knitted in stranded (fair isle) knitting. The letters read “STONEWALL 50 石垣五十 (Ishi Gaki Go Juu).” The latter are Japanese kanji characters, comprising of 4 letters meaning Stone, Wall, Five, and Ten (Stonewall 50), respectively..

Skill Level: Intermediate
Skills Needed: Stranded (fair isle) knitting in the round.
Finished Size: Adult Medium Size (22-inch circumference). Also see Gauge adjustments.

Suggested Materials:
• Mirasol Yarn Pima Kuri Cotton Worsted 208 yards / 190m (3.52oz / 100 g)
1 hank in #42 Cobalt (Color A) and 1 hank in #8 Blazing Orange (Color B),
75 yards / 70 m (1.3 oz / 35 g) each color.
* I chose cotton because the pride month in NY is generally too warm for wool. You may substitute with wool if you live in a cooler climate.
• 1 set of US #5 (3.75 mm) circular needles (22” or longer), or size to obtain gauge
• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Standard Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows per 4” (10cm) in stockinette stitch worked in the round.

Gauge adjustments:
To make it slightly larger (23-inch Large), change the needle size to make it 19 sts per 4”.
To make it slightly smaller (21-inch Small), change the needle size to make it 21 sts per 4”.
For Child sizes, consider using Fine (Sport) or Super Fine (Fingering, Sock) yarn.

Pattern Notes:

1. Stranded knitting is prone to making the fabric pucker if you knit too tightly. Mind your tension and allow enough slack in the float. Also, weave in floats with the active stitch at every 2 to 3 stitch.
2. Since the cotton yarn is generally not elastic, obtaining precise gauge is crucial for this project. Otherwise, you will end up with a headband that is too tight or too loose.