ST.VINCENT CLOCHE
by fawn pea I f.pea designs
Sizes
Women's one size. The hat is knitted in one size - giant - and felted until it fits you snugly.
Gauge
9 stitches and 12 rows/2 inches BEFORE felting.
Materials
Knit Picks Merino Style (123 yd/50g) Color #23460, Nutmeg (color A) - 3 skeins Color #23456, Coal (color B) - 1 skein You will only use a tiny little bit of skein #3 in color A. Please don't hate me. 16" circular needle and DPNs, size US 8 (5.0 mm) stitch markers in 2 colors tapestry needle pin back (optional) sewing needle & thread in matching colors
For her birthday, my sister requested a 1920's-style cloche hat to go with her sassy flapper haircut. I was more than happy to oblige! I love the fashions of the 1920's, especially the hats, and have always wanted to make one. After searching in vain for just the right pattern, I decided to just design one myself. 1 named it after one of my favorite female icons of the era, the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay. Wear it with the hatband tied in a petite bow, or with the rosette pin. This cloche is knitted with a plied 100% merino wool for a very smooth, soft finish and uniform felting. Substitute other yarns with care.
Begin with the contrast brim You will begin by working this cloche flat on the circular needle. It will be joined later to knit in the round Using color B, CO 130 st. Work 5 rows flat in reverse st st (K odd rows, P even rows). Row 6: Change to color A. K to end. Row 7: \*(K1, P1). Rep from \* to end. (This row stops the brim from further rolling) Rows 8-13: Cont in st st (K even rows, P odd rows) Row 14 (dec row): K10, K2tog, K to last 12 st, SSK, K10 (2 st dec). Row 15: Purl. Dec 2 st on every RS row in this manner until 10 st have been dec (120 st rem). Purl all even rows.
Join the slit & knit in the round
Next RS row: K10, K2tog, K to last 12 st, SSK, K to end. CO 2 st using the backwards loop method, place marker, and join to knit in round (120 st rem).
Important Notice
This is a free pattern and you are welcome to use it for all the non-commercial purposes you like. However, you may not reproduce this pattern to sell, and you may not sell what you make with it. You may donate what you make with it to charity, and you may use it for charity fundraisers only if 100% of the proceeds are donated to the charity (and by charity I don't mean your kid's college fund). Thanks for understanding! You will knit this cloche in the round from here onwards. Cont knitting in st st until cloche measures 11.5 inches from the brim.
Crown
Next row: \*(K10, place marker). Rep from \* to end. You will have placed 11 markers, evenly spaced throughout the cloche, for a total of 12 markers -- make sure that they are a different color from the marker that you used to mark the start of the rounds. Next row (dec row): \*(K2tog, K to next M, slip M). Rep from \* to end. 12 st dec (108 st rem).
Pattern Support
Need help? Check out the Free Pattern FAQ on my blog: bit.ly/freepattFAQ Still stumped? Send me an email: f.pea@airpost.net Next row: Knit. Cont in this manner, dec 12 st on every other row, until 12 st rem. Remove all M. Let's Be Friends
Next dec row: K2 tog to end (6 st rem). Cut a 6-inch tail of yarn, thread through rem st and pull snug. Bring tail through to inside of cloche, knot securely and weave in end. Contrast edging on slit With RS facing and using color B, pick up and knit 17 st up the left selvedge, pick up and knit the 2 cast on st, and then pick up 17 st down the right selvedge. Row 1 (WS): P16, P2tog, P2tog, P16 Row 2 (RS): K15, K2tog, SSK, K15. Row 3 (WS): P14, P2tog, P2tog, P14. Row 4 (RS): BO 13 st, cont to BO as you K2tog, SSK, BO to end.
Weave in and trim all ends. Hat Band (optional) Using color B and DPN's, CO 4 st. Knit an I-cord about 40 inches long. Tie off, trim ends. Flower (optional) Using color B and circular needle, CO 20 st. Row 1 and all odd rows: Purl. Row 2: Kfb every stitch (40 st) Row 4: Kfb every stitch (80 st) Row 6: Kfb every stitch (160 st) Row 7: BO, leaving an 8-inch tail ette. Using the yarn tail and a tapestry needle, sew into place. Weave in ends. Felting Place the hat band and rosette into a zippered garment bag, and place the cloche into a separate garment bag or pillowcase and tie shut. Felt for one or two short, no-spin cycles in your washer using hot water. Check all the items to see how they are progressing. You will probably want to remove the hat band and rosette after the first or second cycle. The cloche may need additional cycles until it fits snugly. Try the cloche on after each cycle until it reaches desired snugness. While wearing cloche, smooth the crown completely. Tug and stretch the brim until the whole cloche is nicely shaped with a smooth crown and flared brim. Don't be afraid to really beat it into shape - felt is a wonderfully strong fiber, and very shapeable while wet. Stuff with plastic bags and place over a vase or other item to dry in shape. ug, stretch and smooth the rosette and hat band into shape and allow to dry.
Finishing
Once allthe items are completely dry, it's time to trim your cloche. Sew a pinback onto the rosette. Pin onto cloche if desired. Put on your cloche, and then tie the hat band into place. You may tie a bow, overhand knot, or other decorative knot as desired. Sew or gently needle-felt the hat band into place if desired -- but please remove your cloche first to avoid injury. Ouch!
Put on your sack dress and fishnets, and have a great time dancing at the local speakeasy in your newcloche! Clockwise from left: Cloche worn without hatband; Finished rosette pin; Hatband
