The Cloche originates from the 1920s and was made of felt for a form-fitting bell-shaped hat. While I was looking for a new hat pattern to try out, I couldn’t find one for a cloche that I particularly liked. They were either too bell-shaped or not bell-shaped enough, so I decided to try my hand at making a cloche-inspired hat with just a subtle bell-shape that I wouldn’t mind wearing.

I tried out, for the first time, Nashua Handknits Creative Focus Superwash (50% merino, 50% wool). The yarn felt a little stiff when it was in the ball, but once it was crocheted up into the hat, it felt nice and soft. My only complaint about the yarn is that it splits easily when crocheting – this is a common issue with superwash yarns.

The pattern for this hat has been written up and has three different sizes available (21.25″, 22″ and 24″ for head circumference). The name of the pattern is Ruse, there’s no real story about where the name of the hat came from.

Want to make your own hat? The pattern is free! Click to download a PDF copy of the Ruse hat pattern.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Materials:
Bulky yarn (~150g)
6.50mm hook (US K 10.5)
Yarn needle

Notes:
I used Red Heart Cozy Wool (70% acrylic, 30% wool) in Windsor Blue.
Any bulky-weight (5) yarn should work fine. To keep the stitch definition showing, I recommend not using a novelty or chenille yarn for this cowl and I do recommend using a wool blend.

Abbreviations:
Ch – chain
Tr – triple crochet

Notes:
Ch 3 at beginning of each row counts as 1 tr.
Number of stitches listed at end of row in the parentheses.

Directions:
1. Ch 25.
2. Tr in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across (22).
3. Ch 3, front post tr for each st across (22).
4. Ch 3, back post tr for each st across (22).
5. Repeat 3-4 until the length is the circumference of your head.
6. Hold ribbed sides together, slip stitch the two short ends together.
7. Fasten off, tuck in ends.

Click to download a PDF copy of the Crochet Ribbed Cowl – it’s printer friendly as it is text only.

This pattern is an original pattern by Michelle W. (December 2009). Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but do not sell or distribute it on your site. Items made from this pattern may be sold with credit to Michelle and chelle-chelle.com.