Medieval Irish Hood

Here’s a project for those who want to make something different for a St. Paddy’s Day gift. Its actually a knit approximation of the helmet liner I saw on some history show. Some day when I have more time (HAHAHA) I’ll do a brief online class on how the make a pattern from scratch. Sort of fiber sculpture you can wear. Any way, here is the pattern in two versions. My proto-type, modeled by yours truly, which turned out a bit more full than I expected. And also the more fitted version I did for my half Irish husband. I made mine of hand spun natural green cotton, but you can use any material with a good drape.

IRISH HOOD

MATERIALS:
fingering weight cotton, silk or mohair
number 6 needles (USA)
number eight needles (USA)

DIRECTIONS:

Front:
Cast on 70 stitches onto number eight needles. Work in knit 2, purl 2 pattern row after row until the piece measures seven inches in length. This is the part that drapes over the neck. If you are tall you may wish to knit it a few more inches longer. For a fitted hood switch to number six needles and start to work in stocking stitch pattern (knit a row then purl the next). Knit in stocking stitch for two inches in length. Then work a row to divide the front for the face opening. Proceed as follows: Work 35 stitches, then bind off 30, and finally work 35. Work the next row back across, skip the bound off stitches, and then attach a second strand to the remaining 35. Work even to end of the row. Work both side in stocking stitch until the face opening measures six inches or more if you are full faced. Then to make the top of the hood, knit across 35, cast on 30 stitches, then break off extra yarn and work across even with the single strand. Knit even in stocking stitch for three more inches. Then start to shape the head. * Knit two together, knit two* across for three inches more in length. Then *knit two together, knit two* across another row. Knit another inch in length. Repeat the same decrease row for one last time. Then knit two more inches in length. Bind off for top of hood.

It should look pretty much like the second photo.

Back:
Cast on 70 stitches onto number eight needles. Work in knit 2, purl 2 pattern row after row until the piece measures seven inches in length. This is the part that drapes over the neck. If you are tall you may wish to knit it a few more inches longer. For a fitted hood switch to number six needles and start to work in stocking stitch pattern (knit a row then purl the next). Knit in stocking stitch for 11 inches in length. Then start to shape the head. * Knit two together, knit two* across for three inches more in length. Then *knit two together, knit two* across another row. Knit another inch in length. Repeat the same decrease row for one last time. Then knit two more inches in length. Bind off for top of hood.

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