Maccabee, directly translated, means “Hammer”. However, that is not what will come to mind to any Jewish person who hears it.
In ancient times, when the Temple still stood in Jerusalem, invaders entered the land and subjugated the Jews. Rituals were forbidden, teaching Hebrew was outlawed, and the Temple to G-d was converted to a Temple for Idols.
Most of the population accepted the new restrictions, and practiced their religion in secret, as many of their descendants would do in the future. But some, some fought back.
Led by a young man named Judah, the Maccabees fought a vicious guerrilla war against the invaders, and against all odds, were victorious. These warriors drove out the occupiers, restored the Temple, freed the language, and kept the light of G-d burning.
Maccabee Kippah is dedicated to all revolutionaries, past and present, fighting to keep their own peoples free and their own voices heard.

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Maccabee is a large floppy beret, knit top down starting with a Provisional Cast On. Knit in 12 expanding sections with alternating increases, the fabric created is fully reversible.
A thin brim of 1x1 twisted rib is cast off in pattern, and then you unzip the provisional cast on to add your bobble flair to first one side, and then pick up stitches on the other side to add more bobbles.
A different look each time it’s worn, Maccabee will lend you strength to take on whatever challenges face you in your day.

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Height from Brim to Crown: 8.5”/21.6cm
Diameter of full crown: 12”/35cm
Brim Circumference: 16/18/20/22”/40.5/46/51/56cm, meant to fit a 18/20/22/24”/46/51/56/61cm head
Yarn used: Wollmeisse Pure Fingering 100% Wool, colour Fuschia
150g skein, 574 yards/525m
Sample used 67g, 256yards/234.5m and was knit in the M’vugariym Size (Size 3)
Maccabee Kippah has been written for 4 sizes
Y’ladiym k’taniym (size 1), small Children
Y’ladiym (size 2) Children
M’vugariym (size 3) Adult
M’vugariym G’doliym (size 4) Large Adult

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Tools and notions

3.0mm and 2.75mm needles (US sizes don’t have 3.0mm needles. 2.75mm is a US 2). So US knitters will need to be very mindful of gauge)
16”/40cm circular needle, or longer for magic/travelling loop, plus whatever you use for small circumference knitting
11 stitch markers
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Optional crochet hook for picking up stitches on Crown B.

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Skills Used: stocking stitch in the round, provisional cast on, increases, decreases, twisted stitches, picking up stitches, bobbles.

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A note on Price for all Keshet Fibre Arts patterns. In Jewish Numerology and Traditions, the number 18 is a very significant number. When written out using the Hebrew Alefbet (alphabet), the number 18 appears the same as the word “Chai” (pronounced with a guttural H sound, not Ch like in Channel). Chai is the word “Life” (like the traditional toast “L’Chaim” which means “To Life!” Since the number 18 is so special, when we make gifts to others or almost anything in monetary form, the numeral given is in some way a derivative of the number 18. L’Chaim!

This pattern is copyright Keshet Fibre Arts NZ 2021. You may use this pattern for personal use and for sale items, but please credit Keshet Fibre Arts for the design.