I created this pattern in honor of all the heroes in the medical field who go to work every day to help us all. Knit a hat, give it or keep it and post a pic of your finished product on Instagram to share the love! Hats up for those who help! And, as I said last post, this pattern series -- Villains and Heroes -- is free. Instead of paying for a knitting pattern, I simply suggest a donation to a charity of your choice that is helping people harmed by Covid-19. You can check out my previous post for more details on that.
Let's talk about a little fun fact: The caduceus, as a medical symbol, is actually a sort of "misnomer," in a way. Apparently, over the years (and Wikipedia alleges the U.S. is mostly to blame), the caduceus has accidentally replaced the Rod of Asclepius, which is the "real" medical symbol. While the ancient Greek god Asclepius was considered to be the god of healing and medicine and carried a rod with a single snake, the Rod of Asclepius, or the caduceus was actually the rod of Hermes, herald, messenger, teller of things ... cool guy with wings on his feet ... Paul Schaffer in Disney's Hercules ... and the caduceus was carried in ancient times, by humans of Hermes' same occupation.
According to Wikipedia, "The modern use of the caduceus as a symbol of medicine became established in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th century as a result of documented mistakes, misunderstandings and confusion."
Anyway, it is used instead of the "correct" Rod of Asclepius as a symbol of medicine nowadays. But really, what are symbols and traditions but social constructions? Things we, as a society, have decided together over time? Maybe we should just let the caduceus stand! I'm goin' with it. I give you all my pattern, Heroes. (Sounds sort of Greek, doesn't it?) You can get the pattern in my Ravelry store as a free download. Forever. Knit on, friends, knit on!
Your knitterly friend,
Janelle
Heroes and
Villains
Heroes
By Janelle serio
This stranded colorwork beanie is the
second pattern in my Heroes and Villains set. Of course, you can tell from the
pictures that this hat represents some of the heroes of today’s pandemic.
Featuring the traditional caduceus (“ka-doo-she-us”) symbol— with its familiar staff,
snakes and wings—along with some impressionistic crosses to represent the
medical profession, this hat is a nod to those in the medical field who
endanger themselves every day for the rest of us.
These patterns are and will remain
free patterns so anyone can make and wear or make and give a hat to show
solidarity with those most affected by Covid-19. If you feel so inclined,
please feel free to donate to a charitable cause that helps those in need at
this time. If you need some ideas, there are a few listed on the pattern page.
A word on sizing for this pattern
The size of this hat is determined
using knitting gauge
· Toddler/Child: 7st/8rounds/inch/2.5cm
·
S/M Teen/Adult: 6sts/7rounds/inch/2.5cm
·
M/L Adult: 5st/in/6rounds/inch/2.5cm
This can be accomplished by using an approximate
corresponding yarn weight of:
· Toddler/Child size: fingering weight
·
S/M Teen/Adult size: dk/sport weight
·
M/L Adult size: worsted weight
To fit head circumference (range):
·
Toddler/Child: 16-18in/41-46cm
·
S/M Teen/Adult: 19-21in/48-53cm
·
M/L Adult: 22-23in/56-58cm
Any
yarn/needle combination that gives the gauges listed above will work for its
corresponding hat size. Check your gauge in a portion of the colorwork pattern
after blocking. Please use a combination of yarn and needles that gives your
desired gauge for accurate sizing.
Finished hat size after blocking
Circumference: 15.5in/40cm
(18in/46cm, 21.5in/8.5cm)
Length: 6.6in/16.6cm
(7.5in/19cm, 9in/23cm)
Fit: This hat is designed with just a
little extra length in all sizes to be soft and a bit slouchy. It has a firmer
ribbing at the start to help hold it on, but choose your size according not
only to your recipient’s actual head size, but also how you’d like your hat to
fit.
In the photo
on the front page of this pattern, the sample I am wearing is an adult M/L and
my head is 21.5inches in circumference, and my actual crown height (measured
center-top of head to ear lobe) is 8.5inches.
Materials
Estimated yarn amounts (These are
only estimates. Everyone uses a different amount of yarn when they knit! Be
sure to have extra on hand.):
- Toddler/Child: 122yds/112m total; 50yds/46m MC; 36yds/33m CC1; 36yds/33mCC2
- S/M Teen/Adult: 126yds/115m total; 50yds/46m MC; 38yds/35m CC1; 38yds/35CC2
- M/L Adult: 155yds/142m
total; 62yds/57 MC; 47yds/43m CC1; 47yds/43m CC2
Yarn suggestions
Toddler/Child: Fingering weight yarns, some thicker
dk sock yarns also work up at the desired gauge for this pattern
(7st/inch/2.5cm) or can be made to using the right needles.
S/M Teen/Adult: Plymouth Dreambaby DK, Cascade 220
Superwash (I know it says worsted, but for me it always works up at dk weight!)
M/L Adult: Rowan Pure Wool Worsted, Cascade 220
(worsted)
Tools
Toddler/Child: One set each of US3/3.5mm and US5/4mm 16in/41cm circular needles;
one set of US6/4mm dpns.
S/M Teen/Adult: One set each of US5/3.75mm and US7/4.5mm 16in/41cm circular
needles; one set of US7/4.5mm dpns.
M/L Adult: One set each of US6/4mm and US8/5mm 16in/41cm circular needles;
one set US8/5mm dpns.
All sizes: Stitch markers, a darning needles
and scissors.
Abbreviations and special stitches
CO: Cast on
R: Indicates round number
K: Knit
MC, CC: Main color, contrasting color
K2tog: Knit two together
*to*: Indicates a repeat section
K1fb: Knit into next stitch as usual,
leave stitch on needle, knit the same stitch a second time through the back
loop. Stitch completed.
The Pattern
CO 96
stitches using CC1 and smaller circular needles.
Join in the round, taking care not to
twist.
R1:
*k1, p1* repeat from *to* to end of round.
Repeat R1
7 more times. (8 rounds completed)
R9:
*k7, k1fb* repeat from *to* to end of round. Do not break CC1 yet. (12
stitches increased, 108 stitches total, 9 rounds completed.)
The body of the hat
Switching to larger circular needles
and, using stranded knitting technique and MC and CC1, begin knitting color
chart. Break CC1 after round 2 and pick up CC2. Continue on to complete color
chart (Pattern repeats three times
around the hat).
Once chart is complete, break both
yarns. Pick up CC1 for crown decreases.
The crown
Using CC1, begin crown decreases:
R1: *k10,
k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R2:
*k9, k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R3:
*k8, k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R4:
*k7, k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R5:
*k6, k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R6:
*k5, k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R7:
*k4, k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R8:
*k3, k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R9:
*k2, k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R10:
*k1, k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round
R11:
*k2tog* repeat *to* to end of round (53
rounds completed, 9 stitches remain)
Finishing
Cut a long enough yarn tail to run
through all the remaining stitches using a darning needle. Cinch stitches
tightly together, tie off inside hat. Weave in all ends.
For best results, we block finished
hat to smooth out colorwork stitches.
Colorwork chart
Pattern repeats 3 times around the hat. And in case anyone wondered: yes. This chart was a brainbuster.
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