Bella's Beads Cloche Hat

HeartStrings knitting pattern #KH02

This hat is a flapper style, inspired by the movie "Agatha" with Vanessa Redgrave. Women in the 20's and 30's wore these lovely cloche hats. Laura envisioned one with a beaded band ... which started us on the way to creating this hat design. A second inspiration was a biography of Bella Abzug, a politican who did a lot for women's issues. Bella was famous for always wearing a hat; hence Bella's Beads.

Bella's Beads beaded cloche hats in 2 versions

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The design has a beaded roll brim followed by plain knitting, then a beaded band emphasized in purl stitches. Two versions for the crown are given - one with beaded purl circles (left), and the other with beaded garter spokes (right). For the beaded areas, you will be manipulating two strands of yarn, one with and one without beads. This is a simple way to introduce the beads as needed into the knitting.

Models shown above:


Fire Mountain Gems showcases Bella's Beads Cloche and Beaded Lace Scarf in a full-page color ad

Fire Mountain Gems showcased Bella's Beads Cloche and #A42 Beaded Lace Scarf in full-page color ads in Creative Knitting (November 2008, page 3) and Knit 'N Style (October 2006, page 7).


More sample models showing how nice Bella's Beads looks when made in a smooth yarn, too! (commissioned by Laura Andersson and knitted by Rachel Wilson)

Beaded Spokes

Beaded Garter Spokes (left) in Lorna's Laces Shepherd worsted weight yarn, color Old Rose.

Beaded Purl Circles (right) in 2 strands of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock fingering weight yarn, color Mixed Berries. Instead of using a separate supplemental thread, the beads were carried on one strand of the sock yarn.

Beaded Purl Circles

Adult small[medium, large] - finished circumference 19¾[21, 22½]" to fit head approximately 21[22, 23]". Heavy worsted weight or UK 12-ply yarn - 105[115,125] yards. 4½ stitches/inch over stockinette on larger needles. Suggested needle sizes US 6 and 8, 40 g size 8/0 seed beads. Supplemental thread for carrying the beads: 35[40,45] yards. Written stitch instructions.

Sample cover page of HeartStrings Bella's Beads Cloche Hat pattern

Bella's Beads is part of The Comfort Collection. Also, see more Knitted Hats in the Jackie E-S Design Collections.

Last revised