14. Cleopatra

Hello knitters and cheer up!

While winter was in full swing, I had the immense joy of working on the translation of a superb creation by Mary-Ann Lammers: Sahara.

This immense stole with a name that evokes latitudes much warmer than mine left me dreamy, its softness and warmth made me feel invincible even when the bite of the cold should have frozen the tip of my nose. I wanted to create a traveling companion for this magnificent scarf and what name could have been more suitable than that of the monarch who reigned over Egypt and conquered the hearts of 2 Roman emperors... I present to you my new crown: the Cleopatra cap.

From warm hues reminiscent of Egypt to a Greek motif that evokes her Hellenic roots, this headdress is an ode to the most famous woman of the ancient world. Sometimes a femme fatale whom no one could resist, sometimes described as a prostitute with an ordinary appearance, no one will ever know how to describe the true face of Cleopatra. What is certain is that she spoke and knew how to express herself in Greek, Egyptian, Arabic, and Hebrew. Blessed with a superior intellect and an excellent education, she was both the wife and then the murderer of her own brother in order to continue to rule independently.

The sulphurous reputation of Egypt's most famous queen was born from both her admirers and her detractors. Venerated by her people as a goddess, multiplying strategic alliances, this unifying monarch knew how to pacify the kingdom left to fire and blood by her predecessors. Cleopatra also knew how to grant favors to the Jews of Egypt, whose destiny would change forever upon her death.

Legend has it that Cleopatra, to avoid being assassinated by her brother during her meeting with Julius Caesar, wrapped herself in a rug that evening and made the Roman emperor carry it. If this story is true, one can only smile at the thought of Caesar's face when the young queen appeared. How audacious!

This pattern requires a good basic knitting skill.

2 particular techniques will be used here:

I'll guide you step by step through these techniques on the Wolly Roger YouTube channel, in the CLEOPATRE playlist. Simply click on the links above to access them directly.

You can also click on the hardware to access the store.

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CLEOPATRA

Unisex beanie, one size

Sample :

23 sts x 34 rows = 10 cm with 4.5 mm needles in 1/1 mosaic ribbing

Material :



Abbreviations :

  • m.: mesh
  • End st.: knit x knit stitch
  • VP: knit x purl stitch
  • Knit 2 together : knit 2 together
  • G m. env.: slip x purl stitch
  • PM: Place a marker
  • GM: Drag the marker
  • ** : repeat the section between the asterisks

Cast on 120 sts with yarn 1.

Join to knit in the round and place an end of row marker. The first rows will introduce yarn 2 in mosaic knitting in the form of two-tone 1x1 ribbing.

IMPORTANT :

  • The yarn used is noted in parentheses before each row.

  • To knit a row of 1/1 ribbing, you actually need to knit 2 rows, the stitches slipped in row 1 will then be knitted in row 2.

Row 1: *K1, L1, repeat to end of row.

Row 2: *P1, P1, pass yarn to back of work* repeat to end of row.

Repeat these two rows 14 times in total to obtain 14 rows of two-tone ribbing.

Then start the pattern by knitting each row with the yarn indicated in parentheses:

(1) Row 1: *12 sts. knit, PM* repeat to end of row

(1) Row 2 and all even rows: repeat the previous row.

(2) Row 3: *K1, L1, K5, L1, K4, Lm* repeat to end of row

(1) Row 5: *G 1 st. approx., T 1 m. end., G 1 st. approx., T 3 m. end., G 1

purl st, knit 1, purl st, knit 3, GM* repeat to end of row

(2) Row 7: *K1, L1, K3, L1, K1, L1, K3, L1, L1, K3, L1, L1, repeat to end of row.

(1) Row 9: *P1, K5, P1, K5, GM* repeat to end of row

(2) Row 11: Knit all.

(1) Row 13: *K3, L 1, K5, L 1, K2, L* repeat to end of row.

(2) Row 15: * Knit 2, P1, Knit 1, P1, Knit 3, P1, Knit 1, P1, Knit 1, Knit 1, GM * repeat to end of row.

(1) Row 17: * Knit 1, P1, Knit 1, P1, Knit 3, P1, Knit 1, P2, GM* repeat to end of row.

(2) Row 19: *K2, L 1, K5, L 1, K3, L* repeat to end of row.

(2) Row 20: Repeat row 19.

Repeat this section of 20 rows 2 times in total.

We have completed the mosaic knit sections and are now starting the decreases.

(1) Row 1: Knit all.

(1) Row 2: *K2tog, knit to marker, GM* repeat to end of row.

(2) Row 3-4: *K2tog, knit to marker, GM* repeat to end of row.

(1) Row 5-6: *K2tog, knit to marker, GM* repeat to end of row.

(2) Row 7-8: *K2tog, knit to marker, GM* repeat to end of row.

(1) Row 9-10: *K2tog, knit to marker, GM* repeat to end of row.

[24 stitches]

Remove the markers when knitting the next row.

(2) Row 13: *K2tog, GM* repeat to end of row.

[12 stitches]

Cut the yarn and put it on a tapestry needle, pass through the remaining 12 stitches twice and pull the yarn firmly to close the top opening.

Tuck in the ends, wash and air dry without stretching the hat.

Don't forget to wring out your hat well before drying it, this will speed up drying significantly!

PIRATE TIP :

To obtain a flat and even mosaic knit, a quick blast of steam from an iron (minimum heat) will work wonders.

Be careful though, be careful with the iron, it would be a shame to burn your work, wouldn't it, sailor?

The "Cleopatra" pattern is an exclusive creation by Wolly Roger. Anyone reproducing this pattern without crediting the author will receive a fruit basket containing two cobras.

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Take care and see you soon for new adventures!

Jessica

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