Bayern
Explore the twisted travelling stitches of Bavaria with this neat, pretty hat design
DONNA DRUCHUNAS is fascinated by twisted travelling stitch patterns, the delicate textures traditionally used in Bavarian knitting. She has used twisted travelling stitches for her pretty hat, which features a double-thickness brim, and has been knitted in a classic guernsey wool from Frangipani. Here, the stitch patterns are worked using a cable needle, but if you’d like to try knitting them without a cable needle, turn over to page 4 for Donna’s instructions and advice.
HAT
Using 3.5mm circular needles, loosely cast on 118 sts. Rnd 1: (K1tbl, P1) to the end of the round. This rnd sets twisted ribbing. Cont in twisted ribbing for 4cm. Work 12 rounds in garter stitch as follows: (knit 1 round, purl 1 round) 6 times. Next round: (K8, M1) 14 times, K6. 132 sts. Work in twisted ribbing for 4cm. Work 7 rounds in garter stitch as follows: (knit round, purl 1 round) 3 times, knit 1 more round. Work 11-stitch repeat of Left Snake Cable chart 12 times around. Follow chart until rows 1-24 have been worked once. Work 7 rounds in garter stitch as follows: (knit round, purl 1 round) 3 times, knit 1 more round. Work 2 rounds in twisted ribbing. Work Crown Shaping chart 6 times around. Follow chart until all rows have been worked once and 12 sts remain. Divide into 3 sections of 4 sts each. Work 4-stitch i-cord for 15cm on each section as follows: *Knit 4 sts, slide to other end of needle without turning work; rep from * until i-cord measures 15cm. When cord is desired length work Sl 2 tog kwise, K2tog, p2sso. Fasten off rem st and repeat for the other two sets of 4 sts. Plait the 3 i-cords together and fasten with a knot.
FINISHING
Wash and dry flat to block, following any yarn care instructions on the ball band. Turn up lower edge to the inside in the middle of the 13-row garter stitch section to form a facing. Whip stitch in place loosely. Weave in ends.
SIZE
To fit an adult head up to 56cm (22in) around. Finished circumference 45 cm (18in), unstretched.
YARN
Frangipani 5-ply Guernsey Wool (Light DK/sport weight; 100% wool; 220m/240yds per 100g ball) Cornish Gold; 2 x 100g balls
NEEDLES & ACCESSORIES
1 set 3.5mm (UK 10-9/US 4) circular needles, 40cm long 1 set 3.5mm (UK 10-9/US 4) double-pointed needles (DPNs) Cable needle (cn)
TENSION
29 sts and 32 rnds to 10cm over Twisted Ribbing on 3.5mm needles, unstretched. Note: Gauge is difficult to measure over ribbing and twisted travelling stitch patterns as they are so stretchy. This hat will be very elastic.
YARN STOCKISTS
Frangipani 01326 240367 www.guernseywool.co.uk
SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS
1/1RPT: Slip 1 st onto cn and hold at back of work, Ktbl, P1 into st on cn. 1/1LPT: Slip 1 st onto cn and hold at front of work, P1, Ktbl into st on cn. 1/1RT: Slip 1 st onto cn and hold at back of work, Ktbl, Ktbl into st on cn. 1/1LT: Slip 1 st onto cn and hold at front of work, Ktbl, Ktbl into st on cn. 2/1RT: Slip 1 st onto cn and hold at back of work, Ktbl twice, Ktbl into st on cn. 2/1LT: Slip 2 sts onto cn and hold at front of work, Ktbl, Ktbl twice into 2 sts on cn. 2/1RPT: Slip 1 st onto cn and hold at back of work, Ktbl twice, P1 into st on cn. 2/1LPT: Slip 2 sts onto cn and hold at front of work, P1, Ktbl twice into 2 sts on cn.
For general abbreviations, see p95 of the main magazine
THESE DELICATE TEXTURES ARE USED IN TRADITIONAL BAVARIAN KNITS