Cotton Cloche by Barbara Tomlinson

Cotton Cloche

Knitting
August 2016
Worsted (9 wpi) ?
4 stitches and 6.5 rows = 1 inch
in stockinette
US 8 - 5.0 mm
102 - 130 yards (93 - 119 m)
Small and Medium
English
This pattern is available as a free Ravelry download

This cotton hat features a 2 1/2” front brim in size small, 3” in medium. It tapers down to a 2” brim on the sides and back. The stretchiness of the crown allows it to fit even large heads, you just need to add rows in length. The pattern indicates where to try on the hat and add rows to fit.

Size small can be easily completed with one 70.9 g skein of yarn as written. I ran out of yarn 3/4 through the bind off on prototype for size medium. If you add any rows for size you will need a few yards extra yarn. I marked in the pattern where to leave out rows to be sure you can finish with just one skein.

The hat is knit top down starting with DPNs and a Turkish cast on. You can change to a 16” cable needle at the end of the increase section and knit the rest of the hat without DPNs. You need a small DPN for the three needle bind off. An 8 would work but it’s easier with a smaller needle.

I’ve done a full video tutorial for this hat. The PDF contains timestamped links that go to the pertinent part of the video for that row of knitting. In the video I use interchangeable needles so I can pull a long cable through to try on the hat. This is not compulsory.

The brim of this hat is shaped with short rows. I made up my own hybrid short row technique that is part Japanese and part German. I find it works for my combination knitting style. It is explained in the video and on my blog.

Since making the video I have changed to working this pattern in straight up German short rows. It’s still important to purl through the back loop when picking up the doubled stitch on the purl side though. The video is still helpful for showing how that works.

Like my Wind and Sun hat, the cotton cloche has a nylon hoop holding it out. I promise to do a pattern without this feature next.

I would love for somebody to knit a size medium in wool and see if it looks cute felted. I’m allergic to lanolin so I can’t use any of the wool that felts.

I think this style might be suitable as a chemo cap. I tested it out with bangs clipped into the underside of the hat to see if hat and bangs might be an alternative to a full wig. Details are on my blog for where to get these clip-in bangs.

I have several of these hats for sale on my Etsy store right now, including some ombre dyed ones.