Product Description
First there was the Dwarven Battle Bonnet, which was my very first pattern, and lots of you seemed to enjoy knitting it. However, it called for fulling to achieve size, and had a rather rambling pattern, and that didn't suit everyone, plus, I kept getting requests for the variation with Spangenhelm and Rivet detailing. There definately seemed to be a need for a second version. Here it is!
Dwarven Battle Bonnet 2 is a bearded balaclava inspired by Viking helmets and by mythology, with a good dollop of silliness thrown in.
It is worked top down in the round, starting with the helmet which features a knotwork and rivet encrusted design and a 'spectacle' eye area. You then move straight into knitting the beard, and finish up by adding braids and moustaches to suit your taste.
Whilst you can knit it large and full it down if you want to, the pattern is written to work without fulling, so you can use any yarn you like. There is also a child size option, and notes on how
Dwarven Battle Bonnet 2 by Sally Pointer
What Is Being Made
The Dwarven Battle Bonnet 2 is a knitted helmet-style hat inspired by Viking armor design. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a heavily embellished head covering featuring decorative rivets and knotwork details, spectacle-style eye-guards, and an integrated full beard with elaborate moustaches and decorative braids. The design offers a fantasy-inspired aesthetic suitable for cosplay, costume wear, or creative fiber arts enthusiasts.
Design Features and Construction
This pattern provides two construction approaches depending on yarn choice and desired finishing method. The original design concept involves knitting the bonnet slightly oversized and then fulling the finished piece to create a dense, felted finish that achieves the perfect fit and authentic helmet-like appearance. However, the pattern also includes instructions written for knitters who prefer to use non-shrinking yarns, eliminating the fulling step while still achieving the intended finished garment.
Sizing options accommodate both average-sized adults and slightly smaller children, with modifications provided throughout the pattern to adjust the fit accordingly.
Knitting Techniques and Stitches
The Dwarven Battle Bonnet 2 employs standard knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate-level crafters. The pattern utilizes knotwork as a primary decorative element, creating the elaborate embellishments characteristic of the design. Rivet details are incorporated throughout the helmet structure, adding textural and visual interest that mimics traditional Viking armor aesthetics. The integrated beard and moustache components require shaping and construction techniques that build dimensionality into the finished piece.
Materials and Yarn Specifications
This pattern is designed for Aran weight yarn, which provides the appropriate thickness and stitch definition needed for the helmet's structural integrity and decorative details. The pattern recommends 5mm (US size 8) needles for yarns intended for fulling, or 4.5mm (US size 7) needles for non-shrinking yarns. Knitters may work with either double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needles, allowing flexibility in tool preference and knitting method.
Difficulty Level
Rated as an intermediate knitting project, the Dwarven Battle Bonnet 2 requires foundational knitting skills and comfort with techniques such as working in the round, shaping decreases, and executing decorative stitch patterns. The knotwork and rivet embellishments add complexity beyond basic hat construction, making this pattern suitable for knitters with some experience.
Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Aran |
| Pages: | 6 |
| Designer: | Sally Pointer |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your experience.