Carillon Cap

Carillon Cap by Jane Nelson

What Is Being Made

The Carillon Cap is a knitted hat designed by Jane Nelson of IrishKnitCat Designs, available in two sizes: Small/Medium and Large/Extra-Large. This intermediate-level knitting project features a distinctive decorative pattern inspired by Austrian ski sweater aesthetics, with "bells" created through twist-stitch bellropes that run vertically along the sides of the cap. The design creates an attractive, textured appearance reminiscent of traditional Alpine knitting.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs several intermediate-level techniques to achieve its decorative bell pattern and proper cap shaping. The primary construction method involves working in the round using circular needles, which allows for seamless knitting and consistent stitch tension throughout the project. The pattern incorporates twist-stitch techniques to create the bellrope details that form the bell motifs running down the sides of the cap. Additional shaping techniques include yarn overs for decorative increases, make-one increases for gradual shaping adjustments, and decrease stitches such as knit-two-together and slip-slip-knit to properly form the cap's crown and ensure proper fit.

Stitches Used

The Carillon Cap pattern utilizes a variety of fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches to construct the garment:

• Knit (K) – The basic stitch forming the foundation of the fabric
• Purl (P) – Used to create texture and pattern variation
• Knit into back of stitch (K1b) – A twisted stitch variation that contributes to the bellrope detail
• Yarn Over (O) – Creates decorative eyelets and increases within the pattern
• Knit two together (K2tog) – A right-leaning decrease for shaping
• Slip Slip Knit (SSK) – A left-leaning decrease created by slipping two stitches knitwise individually, then inserting the left needle through both stitches and knitting them together
• Make 1 (M1) – An invisible increase worked by creating a backward loop over the right-hand needle

These stitches work together to create the Carillon Pattern, which is worked in the round and slightly stretched to achieve the proper gauge and bell appearance.

Materials and Specifications

The Carillon Cap requires worsted weight yarn, with yardage requirements of approximately 150 yards and a weight of 60 to 70 grams. The pattern sample was knit using Cascade Eco Alpaca, a luxury alpaca yarn available in 100-gram skeins with 220 yards per skein. Knitters should use US #7 (4.5 mm) needles, including a 16-inch circular needle for the main body and double-pointed needles for the crown decreases, or needles in the size needed to achieve proper gauge. The recommended gauge is 5 stitches by 6 rounds per 1 inch when working the Carillon Pattern on US #7 needles with very slight stretching applied to the fabric.

Pattern Details

This intermediate knitting project is suitable for knitters with some experience in circular knitting and pattern reading. The design's inspiration from Austrian ski sweater aesthetics brings a sophisticated, textured element to a classic cap silhouette. The twist-stitch bellrope technique creates visual interest while remaining manageable for intermediate-level crafters. The pattern was created by Jane Nelson and is copyrighted by IrishKnitCat Designs from 2010-2013.