Kilts and Such: Balmoral Bonnet #2

Note: This is actually a pretty old blog post. I'm on bonnet #6 now with a diced border. For some reason, Blogger goofed up this post and I had to delete and recreate it from scratch.

Balmoral bonnet #2 is finished. The yarn is Cascade 220. By far, Cascade 220 is the best yarn I've worked with. I understand why Anne recommends it in the Classic Highlander's Balmoral Bonnet pattern.

As with bonnet #1, the cockade design is from "So You're Going To Wear The Kilt" by J.Charles Thompson.

I used petersham cotton/rayon ribbon from Judith M Millinery Supply House for the head band and tails. Much softer look and feel. I really like it.

I used the medium size pattern instead of the large. My head is right on edge between the medium and large patterns. Unfortunately, felting the head band to the correct size resulted in a too small top. The slouch wasn't large enough.

Correcting this was fairly easy, just wet the bonnet and stretch it out.

Had to frog bonnet #3. The inexpensive black yarn proved to be very fuzzy after felting. It was also difficult to knit with. Maybe I can use it as a pouch or felted bowl?

The bonnet #4 is dark blue again in Cascade 220. I am extending the middle knit even rounds section from 4" to 5" or maybe half an inch more to add to the slouch width.

Before fulling/felting

After fulling/felting

After stretching the top to fit

Head band and ribbon

Cockade