Product Description
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Velma is a close-fitting cloche-style hat with an asymmetrical brim that can be worn either up or down. The brim of the hat is knitted flat. Then, stitches are picked up along the top edge and joined for working in the round. The twisted rib of the band (flanked by lateral braids) is an homage to the grosgrain ribbon bands that frequently adorned the hats of the era. *Note: Blocking is not recommended for the finished hat, as it may cause the flaps to lose the rigidity that helps them hold an "upright" position.*The Velma pattern was originally created for the February 2014 installment of the Woolen Rabbit Yarn Club.
Velma: A 1920s-Inspired Knit Hat by Beth Kling
What Is Being Made
Velma is a knitted hat inspired by the roaring 1920s aesthetic. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a finished hat measuring approximately 18 inches (45.7 cm) around at the brim when unstretched, with a depth of 7.5 inches (19 cm) exclusive of the flaps. The design captures vintage styling while remaining accessible to intermediate-level knitters.
Craft and Techniques
This is a knitting project that employs multiple construction methods to achieve its finished form. The pattern utilizes flat knitting for certain sections, which are then worked in the round using circular needles. Knitters have the flexibility to use either traditional circular needle techniques or the Magic Loop method for working smaller diameters in the round, making the pattern adaptable to different knitting preferences and needle collections.
Stitches Used
The pattern incorporates fundamental knitting stitches and shaping techniques:
- Garter stitch — the primary stitch pattern, created by knitting every row when working flat, providing a textured, reversible fabric
- Centered double decrease (cdd) — a shaping stitch worked by slipping 2 stitches together as if to knit, knitting the next stitch, then passing the slipped stitches over the knit stitch, used for structured decreases
- Knit two together (k2tog) — a basic decrease stitch
- Bind off (BO) — the finishing technique to secure stitches
Materials and Gauge
The pattern calls for 1 skein of The Woolen Rabbit Sporty Kashmir yarn, which contains 250 yards (approximately 229 meters) per 4.06 ounce (115 gram) skein. The yarn blend is 80% Merino, 10% Cashmere, and 10% Nylon, offering warmth, softness, and durability. The pattern uses approximately 175 yards (160 meters) of yarn total.
The recommended gauge is 24 stitches and 52 rows to 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch, worked flat and unblocked. This relatively tight gauge contributes to the hat's structure and vintage appearance.
Needles required include US 3 (3.25 mm) circular needles — one pair at least 24 inches long for working flat or using Magic Loop, and one pair 16 inches long for working in the round. Alternatively, knitters may substitute a set of US 3 (3.25 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) for the smaller circular needles, depending on their preferred method for working in the round.
Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Designer: | Beth Kling |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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