Protest Like an Egyptian!

Cleopatra High Hat from Bangle Hats, 1962

As rebellion spreads across the Middle East and Africa, I’ve been asking myself, how can I help the more fashion-conscious protesters? After all, the photos my beloved friend Hind from Alexandria, Egypt sent me clearly demonstrate that fashionistas desperately need help standing out in these crowds.

But I guarantee if you wear this Cleopatra High Hat, you’ll make an unforgettable impression on your peers, the press, and probably the police as well. Okay, that last one’s not a happy outcome, but at least you’ll be rubbing your dictator’s face in the Egyptian people’s recent success.

Now, Tunisian knitters and crocheters may protest that it’s not fair that this pattern is Egyptian when they were the first to board the 2011 Freedom Train. That’s true, but Egypt has given Handmade by Mother not one but two talented Do-It-Yourselfers, namely the artistic and absolutely awe-inspiring Hind and her cute and creative young neighbour, Wa’ad.

Whereas, there have been no Tunisian DIYers to date, and their new government has yet to declare Poodlefest a national holiday. So, until that happy day, I’m just going to pretend to be concerned but ultimately ignore this injustice. After all, as a Westerner, I’ve had decades of practice!

For the complete pattern and a sneak peak at revolutionary Alexandria:

CLEOPATRA HIGH HAT

MATERIALS REQURED:
Knitting Worsted: 4oz.
500 WALCO Bangles
Crochet Hook, Size G
Wire

And a flag. Preferably two.

GAUGE: 7 sc = 2’’

Round 1: TOP SECTION: Ch 3, join with a sl st to form ring, work 6 sc into ring.
Round 2: Work 2 sc in each sc around – there are 6 sc increased.
Round 3: *Work 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc: repeat from * around. Mark ends of rounds, but do not join rounds.
Round 4: *1 sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc: repeat from *.
Round 5: Work 1 sc in first sc, *2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc: repeat from * around until 6 sc are increased.
Continue in this manner to increase 6 sc evenly on each round, working 1 more st between increases, being sure that increases do not come over each other until 14 rounds are completed, 84 sc in round, work measures 8’’ in diameter. Work 1 Round of sc PICKING UP FRONT LOOP OF STITCH ONLY – 84 sc in round.

Hey, watch it with the all-caps shouting! Now is definitely NOT a time to behave like a grumpy dictator.

Instead, you should be like Hind’s daughter Butheina (right) and her granddaughter Lina (left). Look how cheerfully they’re cleaning up after the protesters!

It’s the kind of civil disobedience that warms a mother’s heart.

Round 1: SIDE SECTION: BANGLE ROUND: *Pick up a BANGLE insert hook into Bangle and next st at same time, yarn over hook and draw thru hat and Bangle, yarn over hook and draw thru both loops on hook (this is a Bangle sc), work 1 plain sc in next st: repeat from * around – 42 sc with bangles, 42 sc without.
Round 2: Work 1 hdc in each st around – 84 hdc.
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 once, then repeat Round 1 once.
Round 6: DECR ROUND: Decrease 6 hdc evenly around – 78 hdc remain.
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 once, then repeat Round 1 once.
Round 10: Decrease 4 hdc evenly around – 74 hdc remain.
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 once, then repeat Round 1 once.
Round 10: Decrease 4 hdc evenly around – 70 hdc remain.
Round 17: Repeat Round 1 once – 35 sc with bangles, 35 sc without.
Round 18: Work 1 hdc in each st around.
Round 19: Same as Round 1, end with sl st, break off. This is center back of hat.

Here, some of the menfolk are cleaning up the local police station.

You know, I expected such an evil place would look a lot less cute.

Who knew the Egyptian secret police were trained by a certain adorable feline bent on world domination?

1st Short Row: Count back 24 sts from last st worked, join yarn to next st back, work 1 sc in this st and in each of next 2 sts, work 1 hdc in each of next 44 sts, work 1 sc in each of next 3 sts, break off. (the 20 sts omitted are for the front of hat).
2nd Short Row: Join yarn in 2nd sc of last short row, work 1 sc in this st, work (a Bangle sc in next st, a plain sc in next st) across to within last sc of last row, break off.
3rd Short Row: Join yarn in 2nd sc of last short row, work 1 sc in this st and in each of next 2 sts, work 1 hdc in each st of last row to within last 4 sts, work 1 sc in each of next 3 sts, break off.
Repeat last 2 short rows twice.
8th Short Row: Work as for 2nd Short Row: but do not break off, work 1 round of sc around entire lower edge of hat, join with sl st, break off.

FINISHING: Make a circle of wire 8’’ in diameter. Working from left side of hat, over free loops left on Round 15 of Top Section, working over wire, work 1 sc in each st around, break off.

And now congratulate yourself on a job extremely well done!

Ah, freedom never looked so neat and tidy.

So, Libya... I believe you’re next?

Click here for the printable pattern.