The Vesper Nightcap Story
Originally debuted in the Machine Knit Community, this beginner-friendly machine knit pattern is now available in 5 sizes for everyone! With vintage-inspired details, the Vesper Nightcap is a hat worthy of a winter cocktail party.
The classic stocking cap silhouette gets a modern twist with shimmering beads throughout and a playful faux fur pom. The pattern features two types of beads, Lanaloft Worsted Weight yarn (available on a cone or a ball), and a faux fur pompom. Designed on the LK150, it works as written on any mid-gauge (6.5mm) knitting machine. The 5 sizes range from toddler to adult, fitting head circumferences from 18″ (46 cm) to 24″ (61 cm). Plus, the pattern includes schematics and tips for modifying it for any stitch gauge, machine gauge, or knitting software.
I was inspired by vintage sportswear and mid-century knitting patterns. A year ago, I saw a fabulous pink-and-orange striped hat with vertical cables at a fashion exhibit at the Taft Museum here in Cincinnati. That piece stuck with me, and I wanted to create a design that reflected the playful elegance of that era. While many mid-century designs featured horizontal stripes in varying scales, this versatile silhouette works beautifully with so many techniques—stranded colorwork, hand-dyed yarns, plied yarns, and more!
The Vesper Nightcap also kicked off the Machine Knit Community’s (MKC) 12 Months of Hats Knit Along! Each month highlights a new designer and hat pattern, and it was an honor to launch the series. Seeing the amazing variations knitters have shared for the Vesper Nightcap has been so heartwarming!
You can find all the details about the design and the full pattern here. Don’t forget to join the conversation on social media using #VesperNightcap or #TMartinStudio!
