Playford Hat
The Playford Hat, named for the music publisher and bookseller John Playford, is knit in the round from the bottom up in a delicate all-over cable pattern following the twining lines, hearts, and flourishes inscribed on a Baroque violin. This hat is part of the Twisted Strings collection - five accessory patterns inspired by the decorative tracery found on Baroque string instruments.
Skills & Techniques
Working 1-over-1 cables which can be knit without a cable needle (tutorial: How to work mini-cables without a cable needle)
Knitting in the round
Charts and written instructions are both provided in full
Materials Needed
1 skein of Malabrigo Arroyo (100% superwash merino wool; 335yds/306m per 100g skein), or 205yds/187.5m of sport-weight yarn. Sample colourway: ‘Borraja’
US 3 / 3.25mm needles for working in the round, and for working a small circumference in the round (or needle size that gives you the right gauge)
A cable needle (optional), a stitch marker, and a needle for weaving in the ends
Blocking pins and wires (optional but recommended)
Finished Measurements
Relaxed after blocking: 18”/46cm circumference, and 8.75”/22.5cm length
To fit 19-23”/48-58.5cm head circumference
To resize, cast on 24 fewer (or additional) stitches for a 3.25”/8.5cm change in circumference after blocking.
Read more about the Twisted Strings collection and its inspiration on my blog.