Boiled Wool Cap from North Africa by Irene Waggener

Boiled Wool Cap from North Africa

Knitting
October 2020
yarn held together
DK
+ DK
= Aran (8 wpi) ?
US 8 - 5.0 mm
US 11 - 8.0 mm
241 yards (220 m)
22" (55.9 cm) head circumference, 6-1/4" (15.9 cm) crown diameter, and 23/4" tall (7 cm) from lower edge to flat top, after fulling
English

Knit and full a chéchia—a cool hat to keep you warm.

Because of their interests in North African textiles and time spent living in the region, Irene Waggener and Richard Stirba set out to create a handknitted chéchia. This cylindrical, brimless hat is common in Tunisia.

Materials

  • Retrosaria Rosa Pomar Alfeire, 100% undyed wool, worsted weight, 241 yards (220 m)/3.5 oz (100 gram) skein, 1 skein natural
  • Needles, size 8 (5 mm) set of 5 double-pointed needles (dpn) if using a single strand of yarn, or size 11 (8 mm) set of 5 dpn if using a double strand
  • Stitch marker
  • Locking stitch marker
  • Tapestry needle
  • Tape measure
  • Large pot
  • Large bowl
  • 2 wooden cooking spoons
  • Cotton or linen cloth
  • Clothes iron
  • Hat form
  • Round bristle brush, small handcard, or fuller’s teasel

Finished size: 22” (55.9 cm) head circumference, 61/4” (15.9 cm) crown diameter, and 23/4” tall (7 cm) from lower edge to flat top, after fulling
Gauge: 16 sts and 241/2 rnds = 4” (10.2 cm) with single strand of yarn using smaller needles, before fulling; 11 sts and 16 rnds = 4” (10.2 cm) with double strand of yarn using larger needles, before fulling