Saturday, December 05, 2009

The Lady Lorraine Hat

















This is a very easy, basic hat. You might call it the hat world's version of the little black dress, since it can be dressed up or down by adding an embellishment or two. The cool thing is by using brooches or ribbons or silk flowers on pins that the look can be changed daily to suit the occasion. I keep remembering that scene in the movie Auntie Mame where they are invited out for an impromptu Christmas Eve dinner and to dress up her plain hat Rosalind Russell snatches a sprig of something colorful from the christmas tree and sticks it in to her hat, making it instantly festive. The same thing can be done with this hat. After Christmas, take the pointsettia off and change to a brooch. The look of the hat can also be changed by how the brim is folded up. The brim can be folded only slightly at back and but widely over the eyes, or over an ear. Or evenly all the way around. This pattern is so easy that even a beginning knitter can make it.

I am continuing my hat series named after the gals in my knitting group. We call ourselves the Loopy Ladies, which explains why each pattern is named "Lady". Since I love vintage things most of these hats will have a vintage flavor to them. If you have any questions or the instructions are unclear please feel free to leave a comment. Enjoy!


The Lady Lorraine Hat

Materials:

Approximately 160 yards of light worsted weight yarn (I used KnitPicks Andean Treasure)
size 6 13" circular needles and/or size 6 double points
yarn needle
8 stitch markers, one unique (optional)

Gauge: 19 stitches over 4 inches or 4.75 stitches per inch

Will fit up to a 22.5 inch head. To make smaller or larger change needle size.

Instructions:

With circular needle cast on 104 stitches, place marker to indicate beginning of row, and join.

Row 1-7: Knit
Row 8: Purl
Row 9: Knit
Row 10: Purl
Row 11-35: Knit (about 3.75 inches)
Row 36: Purl
Row 37: Knit
Row 38: Purl
Row 39: Knit 13, place marker. Repeat.
Row 40: Knit 11, knit 2 together, slip marker. Repeat.
Row 41 and all odd numbered rows until Row 63: Knit
Row 42: Knit 10, knit 2 together, slip marker. Repeat
Change to doublepoints when necessary.
Row 44: Knit 9, knit 2 together, slip marker. Repeat.
Row 46: Knit 8, knit 2 together, slip marker. Repeat.
Row 48: Knit 7, knit 2 together, slip marker. Repeat.
Row 50: Knit 6, knit 2 together, slip marker. Repeat.
Row 52: Knit 5, knit 2 together, slip marker. Repeat.
Row 54: Knit 4, knit 2 together, slip marker. Repeat.
Row 56: Knit 3, knit 2 together, slip marker. Repeat.
Row 58: Knit 2, knit 2 together, slip marker. Repeat.
Row 60: Knit 1, knit 2 together, slip marker. Repeat.
Row 62: Knit 2 together, slip marker. Repeat.
Row 63: Knit 2 together, discard marker. Repeat.
Row 64: Knit 2 together. Repeat.

Snip yarn so there is a 6 inch tail. Thread tail on yarn needle, draw through remaining 4 stitches. Take the tail to inside of hat and fasten off. Fasten off any other ends.

Turn up edge of hat as desired and add embellishments like silk flowers, ribbons, brooches, etc.

2 comments:

Jennilee said...

I love, love, love your hats!!!!!

I found your delightful blog through the pattern for the Lady Jodie hat on ralvelry.

I am a huge vintage fan and was so please to find this hat as well. I think I will have to make both!

And I am a SCAdian too :) Not as active as I'd like, but still!

Thank you for the hats!

Anonymous said...

I will not acquiesce in on it. I regard as warm-hearted post. Particularly the appellation attracted me to read the sound story.