The Culloden Cowl and matching Beanie feature bands of Argyle Tartan, Broadswords and Targes. They were inspired by and designed in memory of all those Scottish Clansmen who fought and died so bravely at The Battle of Culloden.

The Battle of Culloden played a part in the Jacobite Rising, a rebellion instigated by Charles Edward Stuart, whose goal was to overthrow the House of Hanover and restore the House of Stuart to the British throne. Charles Stuart’s army consisted mainly of Scottish Highland clansmen, many of whom were armed with broadswords, dirks and a targe.

The Jacobite army was defeated by the British Government army at Culloden, and in the aftermath of the battle, efforts were taken to further integrate Scotland into Great Britain. Part of these efforts was the banning of men and boys from wearing their tartan and carrying a targe. This has been the inspiration for this design.

The beanie has a lined stocking stitch brim and the cowl has a stocking stitch lining. They are as light as feathers, yet incredibly warm because of their double-layered thickness. They are both knitted in the round, so there are no seams and only knit stitches are required. The lined brim and the patterned layer of the beanie are knitted in one piece. The lining and the patterned layer of the cowl are knitted separately, then joined together with a picot edging. You may use either a set of double-pointed knitting needles or a circular knitting needle for both, depending on your preference, though you may still need double-pointed needles for the crown decreases, the targe and broadsword tassels and the I-cord that suspends them from the crown of the beanie.

For much of the pattern, only 2 colours of yarn are used at any one time. Where 3 colours are used, you may choose to use duplicate stitch for the 3rd colour, if you dislike working with 3 colours. There are some long floats to the rear of the patterned front layers, which can be caught up, though many of these become trapped inside the lining, so do not need to be secured, if you so choose.

Some experience in fair isle or stranded colour work is needed for these patterns, although full instructions are given for the construction methods used.

Materials:

4ply/Fingering-weight wool or equivalent:

Actual yarns and amounts used are listed below, but please use this as a rough guide only, given that different brands may differ slightly.

JC Rennie Supersoft Lambswool: 215m/236yds per 50g.
(Note: Both beanie and cowl have blue stocking stitch linings)

Beanie:

Blue: 26g Brown: 19g Gold: 19g Green: 9g

Cowl:

Blue: 104g Gold: 38g Brown: 37g Green: 25g

Knitting Needles:

One set of double-pointed 3.25mm (US 3) knitting needles are suggested for knitting the patterned layers of the beanie and the cowl.

One set of double-pointed 3.00mm (US 2.5) knitting needles are suggested for knitting the linings for the beanie and the cowl. These will also be used for the targe and broadsword tassels and the I-cord on the beanie.

Alternatively, you may use a circular knitting needle of the same sizes, if preferred.

Measurements (unstretched):

One size fit most:

Beanie: Circumference 21 inches/54cm by length 10 inches/26cm

Cowl: Circumference 32 inches/82cm by length 14inches/36cm

Tension:

Approximately 28 stitches and 36 rows to 10cm over the pattern.

I do hope you like my Culloden Beanie and Cowl, which pay homage to the banned Targe and Tartan.