Patternum Novum: Nola Cloche

I've had some really pretty Madelinetosh in my stash for awhile now. Purchased on a whim while browsing at a new-to-me yarn shop in my neighborhood (in my neighborhood! And I didn't know about it!), I just couldn't walk away from that bright pink, which is crazy, and yet not-so-crazy at the same time. I mean, it's pretty bright...but it has so much more depth than your standard neon. Anyway, after a summer full of tight knitting deadlines (I just counted -- I had 8 projects due in 2 months), I met the last one on October 1 and decided it was time for some simple, fun, no-stress knitting. I picked up that Tosh Bulky, played around during a Friday afternoon naptime, thought about it some more during the post-nap afternoon walk, and that night knit up a Nola.

The next day, with some stashed Tosh Vintage, I knit up another one (ah, the beauty of a quick project!). Because shocking pink isn't necessarily for everyone.

Nola Cloche - $5 on Ravelry (no account required)

Nola, which is Latin for bell (cloche is French for bell...so I copied), starts with the twisted brim, which is knit flat and includes one cable row. From there, the two ends of the brim are either seamed or grafted and stitches for the body of the hat are picked up from the edge. Spiral decreases finish the top of the crown.

 

Full instructions are given for either bulky yarn or worsted weight yarn.  And, really, this hat is so easy to modify you could use any weight of yarn that you'd like (and I've made notes in the pattern to help you do this).  Also included is a photo tutorial for the optional Provisional Cast On, and detailed grafting instructions.  So if you're a beginner who hasn't tried these techniques, this is a great way to start!

The specs...

Sizes:
18 (20, 22)”/ 45.5 (51, 56) cm circumference, to fit heads 20 (22, 24)”/ 51 (56, 61) cm around.
The rolled brim is adjustable, and the hat measures 4.5 (5, 5.5)”/ 11.5 (12.5, 14) cm from brim to top.
Samples shown in size 20”/ 51 cm with 2”/ 5cm of negative ease.

Yarn:
Bulky version – Madelinetosh Tosh Chunky (100% superwash merino; 165 yds/151 m per 100g); 1 skein in Pop Rocks, or 120 (135, 150) yds/ 110 (125, 135) m of a bulky weight yarn

Worsted version – Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage (100% superwash merino; 200 yds/183 m per 100g); 1 skein in Smokestack, or 140 (155, 170) yds/ 130 (140, 155) m of a worsted weight yarn

Needles:
Bulky version - US 10 (6.0 mm) circular needle and double pointed needles
Worsted version - US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle and double pointed needles

Gauge:
Bulky version - 15 sts & 23 rows = 4”/ 10 cm in Stockinette St
Worsted version - 19 sts & 24 rows = 4”/ 10 cm in Stockinette St

I had a lot of fun playing with ways to wear this hat.  I think a little brooch dresses it up nicely...

And for a completely different look altogether, you can turn the twist to the front and wear it as a turban.  Vintagey!

 

(If I look really, really tired in these photos, it's because I am.  After sleeping through the night consistently since he was 10 weeks old, Daniel suddenly decided at the beginning of October to start waking up multiple times a night.  Well, he didn't "decide" to do this -- he doesn't seem to like it any more than we do.  Ah, parenting -- such an adventure!)