Tasselled and Warm

Free pattern (for personal use only).

A friend gifted me with some lovely silvery-grey yarn, and I knew I had to turn it into a winter hat. I decided to take the basic concept of my pattern for my Demonic Thoughts Tuque and adapt it to something slightly warmer for Canadian winters. The original tuque was done in traditional loom-knitting e-wrap (also known as single stitch), which leaves a somewhat airy result. I’ve since learned that the double stitch produces a tighter, thicker finish.

This hat is incredibly simple to make, but looks quite impressive because of the richness of the boa texture of the brim and the addition of the tassel.

Technique: French Knitting, also known as loom knitting or spooling

Sizes: Small adult (with instructions between brackets for large adult)

Materials:

• Knifty Knitter Round Loom -- green for small-adult size or yellow for large-adult size


• Knifty Knitter Hook


• 1 ball eyelash (boa) variegated yarn (I used a dollar-store generic eyelash yarn)


• 1 ball worsted-weight yarn (this was an unlabelled gift, so I don’t know what brand it was)


• Tapestry needle


• Optional: French Knitting Bee

Instructions:

Step 1: Using a strand each of the eyelash and the worsted-weight yarn held together, e-wrap the loom three times counter-clockwise. There will be three loops on each peg when you are done.

Step 2: Using the hook that came with the loom kit, lift the bottom loop on each peg over the top two loops and over the peg (this is what is meant by "double stitch"). When you have completed the entire circle, you will have two rows of loops remaining on the pegs. Push these loops to the bottom of the pegs.

Step 3: E-wrap the loom. You should now have three loops on each peg once again.

Step 4: Repeat Step 2.

Continue repeating Steps 3 and 4 until your knitting measures 5.5 inches (6.5 inches) long.

Step 5: Cut the boa strand, leaving a 7-8 inch tail, which you will weave in later. Do not cut the two strands of worsted-weight yarn.

Step 6: Pull your knitting through the inside of the loom to access the beginning edge. Place each loop from the originating row over its corresponding peg (hint: start by placing the loop to the right of the original loose yarn over the peg to the right of the outer tie-off peg and continue around the circle counter-clockwise until you have two loops on each peg -- the bottom loop being from the last row you knit and the top loop being from the edge).

Step 7: Lift the bottom loop over the top loop and over the peg. When you have completed the entire circle, you will have one row of loops remaining on your pegs, and the bottom and top of your knitting will have been knit together to form a double-thick brim.

Continue repeating Steps 3 and 4 until your knitting measures 7.5 inches (8.5 inches) beyond the brim. There should be two loops on each peg at this point.

Step 8: Lift the bottom loop over the top loop, so that only one stitch remains on each peg.

Cut your yarn (both strands), leaving 7-8 inch tails.

Step 9: Thread your tapestry needle with a 2- to 2.5-foot length of the worsted-weight yarn. Sew through each loop on the pegs, from bottom to top of the peg. When all loops have been sewn through, join the ends of the sewing yarn with a slip knot.

Step 10: Using the hook, lift all the loops off the pegs. They will now be strung on the yarn you sewed through them with the tapestry needle.

Step 11: Using your favourite technique for creating iCord, make a cord 6.5 (7.5) inches long, leaving a 3-ft. tail on end. Personally, I make my iCords using the French Knitting Bee. However, if you prefer to loom your iCord, click here for video instructions at the Knit Knot Purl Curl website.

Step 12: Make the tassel. Wrap a single strand of the worsted-weight around your hand until you get an amount of yarn that you think would make a nice thickness for your tassel. I wrapped my hand 9 times, which makes an 18-strand tassel. Using a 10-12 inch strand of yarn, tie one side of the loops together with a square knot.

Step 13: Attach the tassel to the end of the iCord with another square knot. Then use the long iCord tail to wrap tightly around the top part of the tassel and the bottom of the iCord. Complete by sewing down through the inside of the wrap and cut off the remaining end of the tail. Cut off the loops at the bottom of the tassel.

Step 14: Turn the hat inside out. Pull the two ends of the sewing yarn together to gather the material for the top of the hat. Before you have completely closed the top, slip through the opening the top end of the iCord.

Step 15: Tighten the sewing yarn until the hole at the top of the hat is completely closed and tie off with a square knot. Then tie one end of the sewing yarn to the tail of the iCord with a square knot. Tie all loose ends of yarn together with one more square knot.

Step 16: Cut the ends of all the yarn tails approximately one inch from the knots. Optionally, you can weave all the tails into the knitting instead of cutting, but I find that it's easier just to leave the short, cut strands as they are on the inside the tuque and cannot be seen.

Step 17: With the tapestry needle, weave in the tails of yarn on the inside of the tuque where the brim joins the top of the hat.

Step 18: Turn your hat right-side-out, and your project is complete.

© 2009-12-08 N0Nightowl