This project is from a really cute book I picked up at the library, Boutique Knits. This is the cover pattern, the Side Slip Cloche. The whole book is filled with some really adorable patterns, so I would suggest it to anyone else who enjoys this style!
I used Rowan Lima in the Cusco color. I’m such a sucker for yarns with baby alpaca. It’s probably my favorite fiber out of the ones I’ve tried over the years 😀 The gauge stitches up the same as what the pattern calls for, but, to be honest, I thought the finished hat turned out a little tight for my tastes. The photo doesn’t look like it would be so tight, but if I were to make the hat again I would definitely go with a bigger gauge for a bigger hat. The yarn, however, is a lot of fun to work with. It’s incredibly soft, has a fun texture, and is very easy to work with.
The general consensus on Ravelry is that this hat is a pretty easy project, and I would have to agree 🙂 It worked up very quickly for me since it calls for a worsted weight yarn. I was able to get it made in about 3 nights, which is pretty amazing. I’m not a huge fan of the decrease pattern it takes to get the top to close up, so if that wrinkled look bothers you too you might want to think about another way to decrease the cap at the top.
Overall, however, I’m pretty happy with it. I love the 20s look of it, and the ruffled edge looks incredibly charming. I’m not sure if the tightness helps suit my round face shape, but if you have a more angular face it would probably look fantastic on you!
2 thoughts on “Pattern Review: Boutique Knits’ Side Slip Cloche”
I’m a newish knitter and am working on this pattern right now. I came on line to see how to “pick up and knit 96 stitches along the edge of the band to start the body of the hat. Any instruction you can give would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!
I don’t know if you’ve ever encountered the “pick up and knit” technique before, but you’re basically using any spaces you see on the side of the hat band to knit through as if they were stitches. You bring the yarn through as usual and this creates stitches that you can knit normally during the next round.
The trick is picking up the right amount of stitches (because you can knit through just about any loop you find). That’s why they have you separate the band into 4 sections so you get a even distribution of stitches through each section. I hope that was the answer you were looking for!