Knit Cloche Hat Pattern

Knit Cloche Hat

         One of the best things about Winter is all the fabulous accessories you can wear along with winter boats. Boots, scarves, hats, umbrellas, etc., just make an outfit look so much more fashionable.  I especially love hats and neckwarmers (not silk scarves but soft knitwear).  Experimentation has lead me to start developing my own patterns for knitters.  Knitting is also a favorite pastime in the cold months of the Pacific Northwest, so why not put two passions together, eh?  


                       



              The cloche hat was knit in 100% wool, purled throughout, except for one knit row between the cream border and the variegated, on a size US 7 circular needle, starting with a 16" circular for the ribbing.  the yarn is "Tapestry" by Purl Essence in the color: forest.  The colors definitely remind me of a forest.  This yarn is 30%% wool/70% acrylic, which gives it a soft and pliable texture. Gauge: 15 stitches x 19 rows = 4" on a size 10 needle. The ribbing was made with two strands of Sheepish cream yarn (70%acrylic/30% wool).  I tend to make my headgear (or any other item that actually touches my bare skin) is a wool blend, due to sensitivity.  

The pattern worked out better than I had anticipated in that the ribbed edge actually turned naturally, so that there is a rolled edge before the white band. I was quite pleased with the final outcome.  The easy-knit pattern will be available soon on Ravelry.  I can't wait to share this first pattern.  You can find it at:

                   http://www.ravelry.com/people/EileenBx  

Two Color Cast-on Knitting

              Stocking caps are very useful this time of the year, when it rains or snows, and especially when the wind is whipping at your face, slapping your hair into your eyes. Ouch!  For years, I have been knitting stocking caps for the various men and women in my life (daughters, mother, sisters, husband, brothers, brother-in-laws, etc) from a very basic pattern (love those every now and again).  

  

The beauty of a k2, p2 stocking cap pattern is that any size head will fit into a cap, depending on the number of stitches you cast on. From an infant to a large man's head shape, everyone is covered, figuratively.  During this time of dismal weather, when the rain and wind are whipping at your face, or snow flurries are turning your hair follicles to icycles, a simple hat made from warm fibers is very well received and used. And, stocking caps make wonderful gifts for Christmas. Make one in red for yourself, and one in green for your man. In fact, color changes throughout the pattern can be very striking, as in a red and green striped cap.

     Generally, my standard stocking caps begin with the long-tail cast-on method, which my grandmother taught me to do, over 50 years ago.  this method will produce a right side facing finished edge, with the next row facing being a wrong side.  The number of stitches to cast on 


On row 2 (WS) the pattern begins with a p2, knit 2 pattern to the  It's still my favorite style of casting on stitches, as the right 

       is facing you and the initial pattern of k2, p2 for 2-4 inches (based on
      whether or not you prefer a turned up brim) is very traditional, especially 

      in mens stocking knit caps.