Countess Constance Cloche

This hat is named for Countess Constance Markievicz, a truly inspirational lady. Constance Markievicz was an Irish politician, revolutionary nationalist, suffragette and socialist. Constance was the first woman elected to the British Parliament, although, she never took her seat. She was the first female cabinet minister in any Government in Europe and also, a military leader as she led a brigade in the 1916 rebellion. Constance grew up in Sligo, was the daughter of a landlord, married a Polish count and also found time to train as an artist. The hat is designed as a functional, warm but stylish cloche. The cable band is knit first, the ends are grafted together to form a ring. Stitches are then picked up along both edges separately, one side shapes the crown, while the other, shapes the brim using short rows before ending in an icord cast off.