Cape Carnival

Cape Carnival, also known as “Tweede Nuwe Jaar” (2nd New Year), is a vibrant celebration unique to Cape Town. This special day has its roots in the historical practices associated with slavery, as it marks a significant occasion when Cape slaves were granted a day off on 2 January during the mid-nineteenth century. Cape Carnival beautifully illustrates the continuity of its rich cultural past, its resilient present, and an optimistic future. It serves as a powerful reminder for the local working-class community, who have endured slavery, segregation, and Apartheid, celebrating their existence, resilience, and unity.

In homage to this colorful heritage, our featured knitting pattern—a stunning hat—captures the spirit of the occasion. This hat is constructed using a unique bottom-up technique with a stretchy cast-on, ensuring a comfortable fit. The design features a delightful garter stitch pattern, creating a lovely texture as it is knitted in rounds. Just before closing the crown, you'll introduce intricate braid stitches that add a distinctive flair to the overall look of the hat.

This particular pattern is specially crafted for use with highly variegated yarn, allowing the vibrant colors to shine through. Since the braid stitch is produced by dropped stitches, we highly recommend using a smooth yarn that will glide easily through your fingers and won't snag during the knitting process. Whether you are commemorating Cape Carnival or simply looking to add a stylish hat to your collection, this pattern offers both a meaningful connection to history and a beautiful result that you can wear with pride.

Join the celebration and showcase your knitting skills with this eye-catching hat pattern inspired by the spirit of Cape Carnival!