14. The Cleopatra Hat: A Mosaic Knitting Pattern Inspired by a Queen | Wolly Roger

Ahoy, knitters, and raise the anchor!

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 much warmer latitudes than my own, left me dreaming. Its softness and warmth gave me the impression of being invincible, even when the biting cold should have been freezing the tip of my nose. I wanted to create a travel companion for this magnificent scarf, and what name could have been more fitting than that of the monarch who ruled Egypt and conquered the hearts of two Roman emperors? I present to you my new crown: the Cleopatra hat.

 

Cleopatra: Between Myth and History, the Inspiration for the Hat

 

With its warm shades that evoke Egypt and a Greek motif that recalls her Hellenic roots, this hat is an ode to the most famous woman in the ancient world. Sometimes seen as a femme fatale no one could resist, sometimes described as a prostitute with a plain physical appearance, no one will ever know the true face of Cleopatra. What is certain, however, is that she could express herself in Greek, Egyptian, Arabic, and Hebrew. Gifted with a superior intellect and an excellent education, she was both the wife and then the murderer of her own brother to continue governing independently.

The scandalous reputation of Egypt's most famous queen was born from her admirers and her detractors. Venerated by her people as a goddess and forging numerous strategic alliances, this unifying monarch managed to pacify a kingdom left in a state of war by her predecessors. Cleopatra also granted favors to the Jews of Egypt, whose destiny would change forever upon her death.

Legend has it that to avoid being assassinated by her brother during a meeting with Julius Caesar, Cleopatra wrapped herself in a rug, which was then carried to the Roman emperor. If this story is true, one can only smile at the thought of Caesar's face when the young queen appeared. What audacity!

 

Mosaic Knitting Techniques for the Cleopatra Hat

 

This pattern requires a solid foundation in knitting. Two specific techniques will be used here:

• Knit stitch mosaic

• Purl stitch mosaic

I will guide you step-by-step to master these techniques on the Wolly Roger YouTube channel, in the CLEOPATRA playlist. Just click on the links above to access them directly.

You can also click on the materials to access the shop.

 

Cleopatra Hat Pattern

 

Unisex hat, one size fits all Gauge: 23 sts x 34 rnds = 10 cm with 4.5 mm needles in 1x1 mosaic ribbing. Materials:

• 2 skeins of Malabrigo Arroyo

  • Color 1 (C1): Sunset

  • Color 2 (C2): Glitter

• 4.5 mm needles

• 1 marker

• Tapestry needle

Abbreviations:

• st: stitch

• k x: knit x stitches

• p x: purl x stitches

• k2tog: knit 2 stitches together

• sl x p-wise: slip x stitches purlwise

• PM: place marker

• sm: slip marker

• * *: repeat the section between the asterisks

Pattern Instructions

Cast on 120 sts with C1.

Join to knit in the round and place a marker for the end of the round. The first rounds will introduce C2 in a mosaic knitting style, forming a two-color 1x1 rib.

IMPORTANT:

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

• To knit a 1x1 rib round, you actually need to knit 2 rounds. The slipped stitches from round 1 will then be knitted in round 2.

• Round 1 (C1): *k 1, sl 1 p-wise,* repeat to end of round.

• Round 2 (C1): *sl 1 p-wise, p 1,* repeat to end of round.

Repeat these two rounds a total of 14 times to get 14 rounds of two-color ribbing.

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

• (C1) Round 1: *k 12, PM* repeat to end of round.

• (C1) Round 2 and all even rounds: repeat the previous round.

• (C2) Round 3: *k 1, sl 1 p-wise, k 5, sl 1 p-wise, k 4, sm* repeat to end of round.

• (C1) Round 5: *sl 1 p-wise, k 1, sl 1 p-wise, k 3, sl 1 p-wise, k 1, sl 1 p-wise, k 3, sm* repeat to end of round.

• (C2) Round 7: *k 1, sl 1 p-wise, k 3, sl 1 p-wise, k 1, sl 1 p-wise, k 3, sl 1 p-wise, sm* repeat to end of round.

• (C1) Round 9: *sl 1 p-wise, k 5, sl 1 p-wise, k 5, sm* repeat to end of round.

• (C2) Round 11: Knit all stitches.

• (C1) Round 13: *k 3, sl 1 p-wise, k 5, sl 1 p-wise, k 2, sm* repeat to end of round.

• (C2) Round 15: *k 2, sl 1 p-wise, k 1, sl 1 p-wise, k 3, sl 1 p-wise, k 1, sl 1 p-wise, k 1, sm* repeat to end of round.

• (C1) Round 17: *k 1, sl 1 p-wise, k 1, sl 1 p-wise, k 3, sl 1 p-wise, k 1, sl 1 p-wise, k 2, sm* repeat to end of round.

• (C2) Round 19: *k 2, sl 1 p-wise, k 5, sl 1 p-wise, k 3, sm* repeat to end of round.

• (C2) Round 20: Repeat round 19.

Repeat this 20-round section a total of 2 times.

We have finished the mosaic knitting sections and will now begin the decreases.

• (C1) Round 1: Knit all stitches.

• (C1) Round 2: *k2tog, k to marker, sm* repeat to end of round.

• (C2) Round 3-4: *k2tog, k to marker, sm* repeat to end of round.

• (C1) Round 5-6: *k2tog, k to marker, sm* repeat to end of round.

• (C2) Round 7-8: *k2tog, k to marker, sm* repeat to end of round.

• (C1) Round 9-10: *k2tog, k to marker, sm* repeat to end of round.

  • [24 stitches remain]

Remove the markers while knitting the next round.

• (C2) Round 13: *k2tog* repeat to end of round.

  • [12 stitches remain]

Cut the yarn and thread it onto a tapestry needle. Pass the needle through the remaining 12 stitches twice and pull the yarn tight to securely close the top opening.

Weave in the ends, wash and let dry flat without stretching the hat.

PIRATE TIP: For a perfectly flat and even mosaic knit, a little steam from an iron (on minimum heat) will work wonders. Be careful, however, and use the iron sparingly, it would be a shame to burn your work, wouldn't it, shipmate?

The "Cleopatra" pattern is an exclusive Wolly Roger creation. Anyone reproducing this pattern without crediting the author will be sent a basket of fruit containing 2 cobras.

Take good care, and see you soon for new adventures.

Hopla, bis bàll!

Jessica