My new, knitted, bonnet

**Really a McQueen** · 30th March 11, 06:49 PM

Recently, I stumbled across a copy of Piecework magazine, (the January-February 2011 issue) that had a pattern for a knitted Balmoral bonnet.

Now, I'm not a knitter, but my mother is, after a fashion. It took her most of March to follow the instructions and knit the bonnet. Just prior to throwing the thing into hot water in the washing machine, it looked like a limp stocking hat. After ten minutes in hot water, followed by a cold water rinse cycle, it looked more like a classic bonnet.

After sewing on a ribbon bottom edge, and the toorie, it looks more like this.

It will get its first kilt outing this Saturday when I go for a bicycle ride in Portland. There is a tweed themed ride going on, and I figured that a tweed argyle jacket and kilt would fit right in.

**ErikGarrett** · 30th March 11, 06:52 PM

It's super. Love it.

**piperdbh** · 30th March 11, 07:11 PM

That's a fine bonnet. Please pass along my congrats to your dear madre.

**Chirs** · 30th March 11, 07:12 PM

Absolutely brilliant!! Now I want one!

**Spartan Tartan** · 30th March 11, 07:27 PM

That's fantastic! Wonderful work.

**Cowher** · 30th March 11, 08:09 PM

Great bonnet.

Your going bicycling in a kilt?!? I'm not quite sure how that would work.

**Really a McQueen** · 30th March 11, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by Cowher

Great bonnet.

Your going bicycling in a kilt?!? I'm not quite sure how that would work.

If you look through the photos on the Copenhagen Cycle Chic site, you would have a better idea. Ladies ride bicycles in regular skirts (of all lengths), throughout Europe, so a kilt should be doable. Plus, the bicycle I'll be riding is equipped with coat guards (also known as skirt guards), and I'll be packing some elastic cordage as a backup plan.

**Dale Seago** · 30th March 11, 10:16 PM

That is REALLY nicely done -- congratulations!!

**T-Bone** · 31st March 11, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by Really a McQueen

If you look through the photos on the Copenhagen Cycle Chic site, you would have a better idea. Ladies ride bicycles in regular skirts (of all lengths), throughout Europe, so a kilt should be doable. Plus, the bicycle I'll be riding is equipped with coat guards (also known as skirt guards), and I'll be packing some elastic cordage as a backup plan.

I do like the old-school cruisers. I have never thought about riding mine in a kilt. Without skirt guards, it could be quite a catastrophe.

That knit balmoral looks great!