EFFIE

I have always loved fashions from bygone times, and the looks of the 1920's are a particular favourite. This cloche hat is a product of that fascination.

I had purchased a skein of Malabrigo's Merino Worsted in the colour-way Loro Barranquero, just because I adored the colours. I didn't have any particular use in mind for it at the time.  One day, while going through my stash, I found it and some leftover worsted in a dark brown...and the idea for this hat came to me.  I pictured '20s style tweed wool cloches, with pretty bows at the back of a ribbon band.  I went to work trying to re-create in yarn what I had envisioned in my head.

I am very pleased with the results.  This hat really is what I imagined!

The monochromatic kettle-dyed yarn, combined with Moss Stitch, gives the fabric of the hat its wool tweed appearance.  And, Tweed Stitch creates the firm, woven look of the ribbon and bow.

Although the bow is optional, I really think it completes the look.

Interested in knitting this project?  Here is some helpful information.

SIZE:  Average Ladies [54cm-56cm (21-22")] 

GAUGE:  18 sts/36 rows = 10cm (4") in Moss Stitch on 5mm (8US) needles

MATERIALS:  

• 1-100g skein Merino Worsted by Malabrigo
• approx. 25m (30yds) worsted weight wool, such as Paton's Classic Wool OR Cascade 220
• 3.25mm (3US)  - 40cm (16 inch) circ. needle
• 5mm (8US) - 40cm (16 inch) circ. needles
• 1 set 5mm (8US) dpn

Perfectly suited for a monochromatic hand/kettle-dye yarns, this cloche would look stunning in a solid or semi-solid, as well.  Plus, a silk blend worsted for the faux ribbon could be so pretty, as these types of yarn having a bit of a sheen to them.

Surprise Visitor

Lately, I having been spending a lot of time on pattern formatting of new designs.  This always includes the dreaded photo shoot.  It is my least favourite part of self-publishing.  It would be great if I could just come up with an idea, work it out, knit or crochet it up, and someone else would take care of the rest.  However, it doesn't quite work that way.

I do love the places we go to take the photos, though.  There is an abundance of green space here in Calgary, and my favourite is Fish Creek Park.  It is so beautiful, with both plant-life and wildlife.  One time we went for a bike ride, and came around a bend to find deer grazing in a field.  And there are so may different birds.

We were there recently, taking some photos of one of the gift pouches from my Cute Little Crochet Gift Pouches post.  I was holding it in my hands and standing very still, when suddenly I felt something on my shoulder.

Chickadees are such adorable and highly social little birds.  And, this one certainly brightened my photo shoot mood!

BIRDIE

BIRDIE is a fun, but feminine slouch hat.  The pretty Drawn Loop Rib band creates a soft framing of the face, while the light-hearted Little Birds stitch pattern in the main body plays with all the beautiful colours of the yarn.  The yarn I speak of is Rios, by Malabrigo.  The very first time I saw it I new knew I wanted to design this hat.

    

Zarzamora is my first love in the Malabrigo colour line-up.  Splashes of green provide interest, but it has an over-all almost semi-solid appearance.  For this reason, although the multitude of colours in this yarn blend a bit in the background, the little drawn cable cross-overs let each colour stand out on its own at one point or another.

In contrast, Arco Iris creates a more muted finish, despite its very multi-coloured personality.  I love how it is just all colour and texture, but in a vintage, subdued way.  Not matter what hand-dyed yarn or colour-way you choose, this design was made for it.  The stitch patterns were specifically chosen to work with these types of yarns to help break up pooling, while still showing off all of the yarns fabulous colours.

However, I think that a semi-solid or solid colour would still make an incredible hat.  It would just mean that the finished project would be more about texture, and not colour play.

I have to admit that this particular hat, in this particular coulor-way, is my favourite hat to wear.  I like that it has just a bit of slouch, with a hole lot of style.  I have seen people wearing this design down on the forehead, as I do, and also back on the head in a more fashionable way, and both look great.

Interested in knitting this project?  Here is some helpful information.

SIZE:  Average Ladies [54cm-56cm (21-22")] 

GAUGE:  23 sts/32 rows = 10cm (4") in Little Birds stitch pattern on 5mm (8US) needles

MATERIALS:  

• 1-100g skein Rios by Malabrigo
• 4.5mm (7US) - 40cm (16 inch) circ. needle
• 5mm (8US)  - 40cm (16 inch) circ.needle
• 1 set 5mm (8US) dpn
• 5.5mm (9US) needles (for cast-on)
• cable needle
• stitch marker

Malabrigo's Rios is a beautiful yarn to work with, but any worsted weight hand-dye, semi-solid, or solid will work with this pattern.