MERMAID IN THE MOJAVE
This pattern was created to celebrate the poetry volume Gathering Broken Light by Heather Lang-Cassera. Read the description for details about how to get a FREE pattern from Crypto Knits.
ABOUT MERMAID IN THE MOJAVE
Mermaid in the Mojave is a twisted rib hat designed to celebrate the launch of poet Heather Lang-Cassera’s newly released book of poetry, titled Gathering Broken Light. To celebrate this gorgeous collection, Crypto Knits has released a pattern designed for Heather, and we hope you will like it too! A twisted rib beanie, this hat has a textural detail around the brim that gives it a scale-like feel. The colors of blues, greens, and purples not only reflect the colors in the cover for Gathering Broken Light, but also happen to go with the mermaid feel.
ABOUT HEATHER LANG-CASSERA
Heather calls Las Vegas, Nevada home, and her work and life are tied to Las Vegas. Heather has served as the Clark County Poet Laureate from 2019-2021, has poetry etched into stone into the sidewalk in downtown Las Vegas, and was chosen as the Best Local Writer or Poet in Las Vegas 2017.
ABOUT GATHERING BROKEN LIGHT
Gathering Broken Light is a beautiful and haunting collection written after the Las Vegas mass shooting that changed so many Nevadan lives forever. Heartbreak and the fragility of everything make this work a devastating memorial.
Anchored in the severity and the beauty of the Mojave Desert landscape, fractured narratives, surrealist repetition, and imagistic lyricism work to contemplate grief, including both overwhelming sorrow and deep love. A voice yearns, "I wish I could sing the sky to you." Gathering Broken Light can be ordered in paperback or ebook format at Unsolicited Press, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Target.
NOTE: If you purchase Heather’s book, Gathering Broken Light, at any time in any format from any retailer, email a screenshot of your receipt to hello@cryptoknits.com, and we will send you a coupon code for a FREE pattern, which you can use for the pattern of your choice (including this one) from our collection with no expiration date!
SIZES
This pattern can be knit in four sizes: XS (15”), S (18.25”), M (20”), and L (21.75”) sizes, but it is easily customizable by adding or removing 10 st repeats.
GAUGE
24 sts an 28 rounds per 4” (10cm); row gauge is not important as you will knit until you hit specific lengths, but you will want to make sure that you get the stitch gauge correct for proper fit. Gauge should be done in twisted rib, unblocked.
YARN
Any DK weight or light worsted yarn at the approximate weight of 2.5 yards per gram will work for this pattern at the specified gauge. You will need between 125 and 175 yards depending on the size you plan to knit. Heather’s hat is a size M and was knit in Miss Babs Yowza in the color way Blue Savannah.
NEEDLES / NOTIONS
- 16” circular needle in US 7 (4.5mm)
- DPNs in US (4.5mm) (optional)
- Beginning of round stitch marker
- Tapestry Needle
TECHNIQUES
- Knitting in the round
- Twisted knitting
- Decreases and yarnovers