Sherwood Forest Cloche

Sherwood Forest Cloche by Bridget Pupillo

What Is Being Made

The Sherwood Forest Cloche is a vintage-inspired knit hat featuring a classic cloche silhouette with a unique reversible brim design. This intermediate-level knitting project draws inspiration from the popular "Robin Hood" hat style of the 1930s, updated with Celtic flair and modern construction techniques. The finished hat combines functional warmth with a stylish, versatile design suitable for both casual wear and dressing up.

Design Features and Construction

This cloche hat showcases a distinctive double-sided brim created through an innovative grafting technique. The reversible brim design not only adds visual interest but also provides enhanced insulation, making the hat particularly cozy for winter wear. A large decorative button secures the cloche brim in place on one side, adding both functional and aesthetic appeal to the finished piece.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Provisional Cast On: The cabled band begins with a provisional cast on, allowing for seamless integration into the double-sided brim
• Grafting: The separately knit cabled band is grafted into the brim, creating the reversible double-sided construction
• Stitch Pickup: Stitches are picked up along the completed brim to begin shaping the crown
• Decreases: Basic decrease stitches are used to shape and form the crown of the cloche

Stitches and Stitch Work

The pattern features a cabled band as a central design element, showcasing cable stitching work that adds texture and visual depth. The crown shaping employs basic decreases to create the characteristic cloche silhouette. The combination of cable work in the brim with straightforward decreases in the crown makes this an accessible intermediate project for knitters with foundational skills.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern is designed for DK weight yarn, a versatile mid-weight option that works well for structured hat construction. The designer suggests choosing yarn colors strategically to achieve different looks: a neutral green creates a traditional Robin Hood aesthetic, while bright tweeds offer a more contemporary appearance. The pattern requires knitting needles appropriate for DK weight yarn, as well as a decorative button for the brim closure.

Skill Level

Rated as an intermediate difficulty project, the Sherwood Forest Cloche is suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to tackle more advanced construction methods such as provisional cast ons, grafting, and stitch pickup work.