Retro Crafting Fridays: Corn Cob Handle Covers

I got these from my favorite antiques store and wasn't sure what they were. They were in a lot of mitts and trivets. Then I found the description and pattern for these on another blog.  Someone spent a lot of time on these, but they are kind of charming. Either that or my brain has finally traveled back fully in time.  I've seen this in a few places online and I think it is a skillet handle cover from the 1940's, but this blogger copied some she thought were from the 70's.

http://rightsidestogether.blogspot.com/2007/02/margies-knitted-corn-skillet-handle.html

Materials: One Skein Each of two contrasting colors Worsted Weight Yarn (the fiber is up to you, but you probably want it to be machine washable -- I used Lion Brand Woolease. I'm guessing you can make 6 or 8 of these from two balls of Woolease.), Size 7 or 8 knitting needles, scrap of green worsted weight yarn, Size H crochet hook, darning needle.

Row 1: Using Main Color (MC), cast on 8 stitches (I used long tail or double stranded cast on)

Row 2: Increase 1 for every stitch (I used KF&B -- knit in front and back), 16 stitches

Row 3: Repeat Row 2, 32 stitches

Row 4: Knit 4 with MC, knit 4 with Contrast Color (CC), continue alternating colors and stranding across the back side the entire row. Don't worry if your strands are tight, this helps the piece roll up. This will be your Right Side of the work.

Row 5: (Wrong side row) Knit 4 in MC, pulling the yarn up snugly. Bring yarn to the front of the work and pick up CC, being careful to bring both yarns between the needles rather than over them. Knit 4 in CC. Continue alternating colors every 4 stitches across the row. When you switch colors and tug on the yarn, it creates the corrugated effect on the corn rows.

Continue Rows 4 and 5 until you have 20 garter stitch ridges or to desired length.

Row 24: drop CC and break yarn. Knit 2 together across the row using MC. (16 stitches remain)

Row 25: Repeat Row 24, 8 stitches remain.

Break yarn, place tail on darning needle and pass through remaining 8 stitches. Draw up tightly to make the end resemble the corn cob. Tie off and darn in ends. Repeat with cast on tail on the other end.

Finish by crocheting a chain in green yarn. Pick up loops of the knitted fabric as you work in order to attach it as you go (no sewing on after). Make 4 or 5 *leaves* and put a hanging loop on the top. Go fry some eggs and keep your hand cool and comfy.