INTRODUCTION

Rose Window

by Joline Vretenar

I was taking my young daughters to Paris for the first time. I had such big plans to show them art and architecture, culture and food. They were in it for the ice cream and a trip to Disneyland Paris. It’s hard to make everyone happy on family trips, but we did our best. An hour at the Louvre tempered with floating boats in a pond, pastries for breakfast followed by Impressionists.

Rose Window is a stranded colorwork hat that combines order and chaos. The black lines give a framework and a sense of structure while the variegated yarn mimics the images captured in stained glass windows. The crown of the hat is based on a rose window like those found at Notre Dame in Paris.

My daughters may not remember the Mona Lisa, but they still talk about taking pictures of Mom’s hat before we went for ice cream.

model: Joline Vretenar

photos: Ava Vretenar, Lily Vretena, Teri Charrois

SIZE

Adult Small[Large]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Body of hat circumference: 20[23] inches/ 50[58] cm
Depth: 10[13] inches/ 25[30] cm

Choose a size with 2-3 inches of negative ease.

MATERIALS

Yarn
[MC] Louet Gems Fingering [100% merino wool; 185yd/169 m per 1.76 oz/50 g skein]; color: Black; 1 skein
[CC] Ancient Arts 100% Superwash BFL Wool 4 ply Fingering[100% superwash BFL; 447yd/400m per 3.53oz/100g skein]; color: Kitsch; 1 skein

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #3/3.25 mm 16 inch/40cm circular needle
US #4/3.5 mm 16 inch/40cm circular needle
US #4/3.5 mm needle for small circumference: DPNs, 1 long or 2 short circulars, as you prefer

Notions
yarn needle
Stitch marker
Balloon
Cup

GAUGE

25 sts/35 rounds= 4 inches/ 10 cm in stockinette stitch on larger needles
31 sts/32 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in stranded colorwork on larger needles.

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Directions and tips for stranded colorwork (Fair Isle) can be found here.

CDD: Slip next 2 sts together (as if for k2tog); k1, then pass the 2 slipped sts over stitch just knit.

DIRECTIONS

With smaller circular needle and MC, CO 140[160] sts, place marker and join for working in the rnd, being careful not to twist.

Ribbing round: [K1, p1] around.
Work ribbing as set until piece measures 2.25[3] inches/ 5.75[7.5] cm.

Change to larger needles.

Increase Round: (K 6[7] , kfb]) around. 160[180] sts.

Knit 4[12] rnds.

Join CC.

Next round: Work chart around.

Work as set until chart is complete. 16[18] sts rem. Cut CC.
Last round: K2tog around. 8[9] sts.

Break yarn, leaving an 8 inch / 20 cm tail. Thread tail through rem sts and fasten off securely.

FINISHING

To block this hat, soak in lukewarm water and roll in towel to squeeze most of the moisture out. Inflate a small balloon inside the hat until the sts are even and the hat is the desired size. Rest the balloon in a cup to allow the hat to dry evenly.

Weave in ends.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Joline is a pharmacist, mother and knitter who knits every chance she gets.

Find more of her work here.

Pattern & images © 2017 Joline Vretenar. Contact Joline