Friday, October 1, 2010

An English Gentleman Tweed Moustache Pattern

I say...there's a handsome fellow! Donning this 'stache is guaranteed to improve the posture of dapper lads and lasses alike. It takes its inspiration from Mustache Costume Hat by mom with a hook and Knitted Moustache by Holly2, both at instructables.com. I would say this facial enhancement is unsuitable for unsupervised play for children under three years old. However, these whiskers also make a great sling shot for older kids (and cats) to chase!

Materials; Small amounts of worsted/aran weight yarn (I used Vanna's Choice acrylic in mustard/rust and linen/taupe for the moustaches pictured); size J crochet hook (size I for Little Kid), 1 pair Goody Ouchless Hair elastics in Java Bean Colors (item #15218/pkg of 50 bands in beige, brown, white, charcoal and black). You can use ordinary (but sturdy) rubber bands in a pinch, or work lengths of chain stitches at the ends of a finished moustache to create a tie-on version. For comfort and safety, avoid using hair bands that are joined by metal crimps.

With use of elastic loops, gauge is fairly flexible. You can also fudge the count and height of stitches to change the shape.

Note: Two colors of yarn are held double to work the entire piece (see exception for Little Kid size below).

Large/Adult (11" ear to ear): Make a sl knot. Draw loop through elastic band and insert size J hook. Holding tail for stability, ch 1 catching band and then ch and additional 29 sts. Stitches should be firm, but not tight. Place second elastic band on hook and work another ch over it (31 ch).

Sc in 2nd ch from hook (the first one after the elastic band), 5 sc, 2 hdc, 2 dc, 3 tr in next st, 1 dc, 2 hdc, 1 sc, sl st in next st, 1 sc, 2 hdc, 1 dc, 3 tr in next st, 2 dc, 2 hdc, 5 sc, ending with sl st to catch elastic hoop.

Now, working along opposite side of foundation chain, sc in ea st until you get to the tr stitches, 3 hdc opposite tr sts, sc in ea st until next tr sts, 3 hdc in next st, sc to end finishing with sl st to catch elastic loop. Break off. Weave in ends on right side of work ("wrong side" is the face of the moustache).

Teen/Small Adult (9" ear to ear): Make a sl knot. Draw loop through elastic band and insert size J hook. Holding tail for stability, ch 1 catching band and then ch and additional 27 sts. Stitches should be firm, but not tight. Place second elastic band on hook and work another ch over it (29 ch).

Sc in 2nd ch from hook (the first one after the elastic band), 4 sc, 2 hdc, 2 dc, 3 tr in next st, 1 dc, 2 hdc, 1 sc, sl st in next st, 1 sc, 2 hdc, 1 dc, 3 tr in next st, 2 dc, 2 hdc, 4 sc, ending with sl st to catch elastic hoop.

Now, working along opposite side of foundation chain, sc in ea st until you get to the tr stitches, 3 hdc opposite tr sts, sc in ea st until next tr sts, 3 hdc in next st, sc to end finishing with sl st to catch elastic loop. Break off. Weave in ends on right side of work ("wrong side" is the face of the moustache).

Big Kid (7" ear to ear): Make a sl knot. Draw loop through elastic band and insert size J hook. Holding tail for stability, ch 1 catching band and then ch and additional 25 sts. Stitches should be firm, but not tight. Place second elastic band on hook and work another ch over it (27 ch).

Sc in 2nd ch from hook (the first one after the elastic band), 3 sc, 2 hdc, 2 dc, 3 tr in next st, 1 dc, 2 hdc, 1 sc, sl st in next st, 1 sc, 2 hdc, 1 dc, 3 tr in next st, 2 dc, 2 hdc, 3 sc, ending with sl st to catch elastic hoop.

Now, working along opposite side of foundation chain, sc in ea st until you get to the tr stitches, 3 hdc opposite tr sts, sc in ea st until next tr sts, 3 hdc in next st, sc to end finishing with sl st to catch elastic loop. Break off. Weave in ends on right side of work ("wrong side" is the face of the moustache).

Little Kid (5" ear to ear):Work same as for Big Kid with size I hook and single strand of print or variegated worsted weigh or two strands of DK weight yarn. Also double-loop each hair band when attaching the foundation chain stitches so they will slip over tiny ears without falling off!

Please let me know if you have questions or find problems below or send me a message via ravelry. Cheers!

P.S. Wikipedia describes the subtle difference between spelling and pronunciation of British moustaches and American mustaches here.

1 comment:

  1. This is great, I used it for inspiration to make eyebrows and a mustache for my Lorax amigurumi! Thanks!

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