Cast on at the top of the crown and knit down towards the brim, so the size is infinitely adjustable. Subtle shaping and eyelets will form a delicate ruffled brim, and the construction and pattern is easily memorized once the cast on and 12 set up rounds have been executed.

Louisa Hurst is a sharp and angular character in Jane Austen’s “Pride & Prejudice”. She is the married sister of Caroline Bingley, and the pattern for her hat echoes the lace motif found in Caroline Bingley’s Cowl (Kirsti Johanson, travellingstitchsisters.com).

Louisa Hurst, being happily married, is not nearly so sharp in her criticism of Elizabeth and Jane Bennett. She is a slightly warming influence on Caroline, and serves to add delight to the wit and banter in the evening parties held in and around Merryton. This hat design has some sharp angles and angular edges, but is overall a lovely, warming piece which is quickly executed…perhaps while viewing or listening to an audiobook of your favorite Jane Austen story!