Balmoral Bonnet #2 - Finally Finished

**kiltedrennie** · 16th August 13, 08:11 AM

I finally got around to finishing off bonnet #2.

The Cascade 220 felted nicely. I bought some cotton/rayon petersham ribbon for the trim and bow. I like the softer feel/look of it over the polyester grosgrain. I'm going to redo bonnet #1 as soon as I get some forest green petersham. The cockade is of the same style as #1, but with black, green, and white polyester grosgrain ribbon.

I used the medium size instead of large pattern and had to really stretch the top to get the size right. I'll be sticking to the large pattern here on out. I think I also need to lengthen the 4" knit-even-rounds mid-section to give it more width for the slouch.

**James McFetters** · 16th August 13, 08:26 AM

That is very nice!

**Aspiringloser** · 16th August 13, 09:19 AM

Did you stretch the top of it while it was still wet? Adding more to the even rounds will give your more to work with but stretching it will also do this.

**kiltedrennie** · 16th August 13, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Aspiringloser

Did you stretch the top of it while it was still wet? Adding more to the even rounds will give your more to work with but stretching it will also do this.

I did stretch it quite a bit. I felted it to the correct head size, but that didn't leave quite enough on top for me. I'm probably on the bottom end of the large range from the pattern and thought minimum felting to get to the brim would look better and leave more for the slouch but it didn't work out that way. I could felt it by hand, but I'd rather not if I can avoid it. I also want to try to keep the thickness as even as possible.

Boy, the quality of yarn makes quite a bit of difference. I felted #3 last night and really hate it. Very very fuzzy. Cheap(er) yarn isn't worth the trouble. I might make a pouch out of it

Working on #4 now with Cascade 220 in dark blue. I'm going to try adding two inches to the even rounds.

**kiltedrennie** · 16th August 13, 11:01 AM

Thanks! I'm addicted to knitting them now.

**Aspiringloser** · 16th August 13, 11:01 AM

There's a reason Anne suggests Cascade 220 for in the instructions.

**kiltedrennie** · 16th August 13, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Aspiringloser

There's a reason Anne suggests Cascade 220 for in the instructions.

The force is strong with Anne.

**Aspiringloser** · 16th August 13, 11:07 AM

I knit mine without the notch and just stretch it until it fits. Then I sew a loop of ribbon equal to my head circumference, well, usually a quarter to half inch wider, then stitch it on. Works pretty well for me. I like the fitted band rather than messing with ties and tails.

**kiltedrennie** · 16th August 13, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by Aspiringloser

I knit mine without the notch and just stretch it until it fits. Then I sew a loop of ribbon equal to my head circumference, well, usually a quarter to half inch wider, then stitch it on. Works pretty well for me. I like the fitted band rather than messing with ties and tails.

Interesting. Your technique would most likely be the traditional method since I imagine each bonnet would be made to the individual and not mass produced. I've been moving in that direction. I bridge on the second round working flat instead of the forth. That way I can still determine front from back. I'm still cutting, but I'm leaving off the twill tape and just using the bow since I leave mine tied.

I'd love to find information on extant bonnets from the 19th century so I could copy their construction. Haven't looked very hard yet. Must be a museum with the info somewhere.

**Aspiringloser** · 16th August 13, 11:43 AM

I tie a loop to the center back in place of the stitch marker before felting. After it's felted, shaped, and dried, I cut the loop off then install the band. Seems to work okay so far.