Eighteenth Century "Latrine Hat" by Barbara Kelly-Landry

Eighteenth Century "Latrine Hat"

Knitting
September 2018
Sport (12 wpi) ?
25 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette Stitch
US 2 - 2.75 mm
225 - 320 yards (206 - 293 m)
19.25 (21, 23)" circumference and 9.26 (9.75, 10.75)" tall
Flag of English English

This pattern was developed after close examination of the artifact “latrine” hat excavated at the Fortress of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, Canada. When washing the fleece for the handspun version of this hat, I tried to keep some of the lanolin. The original hat would likely have been spun in the grease because the lanolin would help the hat maintain a level of waterproofing. Slightly tighter twist in plying might have helped the water stay on the surface of the hat and prevented much from soaking in. Because the hat would have been worn by men who worked outdoors, the waterproof qualities would have certainly made a difference.

Fiber 2.75 (3.25, 4) oz Cotswold fleece, hand combed.

Yarn 2-ply; 225 (265, 320) yd; 1,300 ypp; 11 wpi; sportweight.

Needles U.S. size 2 (2.75 mm): 16” circular and set of double-pointed. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions Marker; tapestry needle.

Gauge 25 stitches and 32 rounds = 4” in St st.

Finished Size 19.25 (21, 23)“ circumference and 9.26 (9.75, 10.75)” tall.

Notes This hat is worked in the round from the bottom up.

PieceWork subscribers can download a version of the pattern designed for millspun yarn at https://pieceworkmagazine.com/knit-an-eighteenth-century-....