Creepy Critters Chullo by Donna Druchunas

Creepy Critters Chullo

Knitting
September 2012
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
32 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches
in stranded colourwork
US 1 - 2.25 mm
US 2 - 2.75 mm
221 - 1100 yards (202 - 1006 m)
Child[Teen, Adult]
English
This pattern is available for free.

This chullo is decorated with motifs of creepy-crawly critters from the Andes. The colors remind me of the desert landscape in which these creatures can be found. The pattern arrangement, with the pictorial motifs arranged in alternating dark and light rectangles is known as tocapu. This style of design originated in woven belts, and was later adapted to knitting.

Using traditional techniques, the earflaps are knitted first in garter stitch. First a long strip is knitted, then it is formed into a curve by picking up stitches on the side of the strip and decreasing in the center. The final join is completed with three-needle bind off. Stitches are picked up across each ear flap for the sides of the hat and cast on between flaps for the front and back of the hat. The remainder of the hat is knit in the round, with decreases spaced evenly for the crown shaping. A crochet edging, tassels, and pompom are added after the knitting is complete.