Vintage Inspired Felted Cloche

Vintage Inspired Felted Cloche Hat

What Is Being Made

This is a vintage-inspired felted cloche hat designed by knot•sew•cute. A cloche is a classic 1920s-style hat characterized by a close-fitting, bell-shaped crown that sits low on the head. This particular design combines traditional crochet construction with wet felting techniques to create an authentic vintage aesthetic with modern craftsmanship. The finished hat features decorative motifs that add period-appropriate embellishment to the crown.

Crochet Techniques Used

This intermediate-level crochet project employs several fundamental and specialty techniques. The primary construction method uses single crochet stitches worked in the round to build the hat's crown and brim. The pattern incorporates spike single crochet, a decorative technique where the hook is inserted into the center of a daisy motif to create dimensional texture and visual interest. Slip stitches are used to join rounds and transition between sections, while chain stitches form the foundation and structural elements throughout the design.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The core stitches used in this pattern are:

• Chain (ch) – foundational stitch for starting rows and rounds
• Single crochet (sc) – the primary stitch for building the hat's structure
• Slip stitch (sl st) – used to join rounds and create seamless transitions
• Spike single crochet (ssc) – a specialty stitch that inserts the hook into the center of daisy motifs and draws loops up to the height of the current round, creating dimensional embellishment
• Yarn over (yo) – the fundamental yarn manipulation technique used in all stitches

The gauge for this project is 9 single crochet stitches and 10 rows over a 5 cm (2") square when worked with a 4.00 mm crochet hook, which is essential for achieving proper sizing before the felting process.

Felting Process and Finishing

The vintage aesthetic of this cloche is achieved through wet felting, a process that transforms the crocheted fabric by shrinking and matting the wool fibers together. The pattern provides three finished sizes with specific measurements: the hat shrinks from 25–27 inches in circumference before felting to 21–24 inches after felting, depending on the size and individual felting results. The crocheted form is shaped using fiberfil or similar stuffing during the felting process to maintain the proper cloche silhouette. Decorative daisy motifs, crocheted from scraps, are attached to the finished hat using matching thread, adding authentic vintage detailing.

Materials and Tools

This pattern is designed for worsted-weight yarn. The primary yarn is Patons® Classic Wool, a 100% wool yarn with 192 meters per 100 grams. Depending on size, the project requires 1 to 1½ balls of Patons® Classic Wool (shown in Dark Grey Mix), plus scraps of Patons® Grace yarn in Black for the decorative motifs. The pattern calls for two crochet hooks: a 4.00 mm hook for the main construction and a 3.00 mm hook for finer detail work. Additional materials include a yarn needle for weaving in ends, fiberfil or similar filling for shaping during felting, and matching thread for attaching the finished motifs to the crown.

Sizing and Customization

The pattern offers three size options to accommodate different head measurements. Size 1 measures 21–22 inches in circumference after felting, Size 2 measures 22–23 inches, and Size 3 measures 23–24 inches. The pattern notes that finished measurements are approximate and will vary based on individual gauge, the specific brand of wool used, and the individual's felting technique, making this a flexible design that adapts to the maker's process.