The inspiration behind this pattern is Ruth Elder, a pioneering aviatrix and actress. Ruth placed fifth in the first Women’s Air Derby in 1929 and was a charter member of the Ninety-Nines: International Organization for Women Pilots.

Ruth Elder was a fabulous dresser with a flirty sense of style. This cloche is based on one she wore. The gently textured stitch pattern showcases the hand dyed Dream in Color Classy. This timeless piece is also a great one-skein project.

I’m grateful to the Old Rhinebeck Aerodome for the awesome background!

This pattern is available for FREE on my blog here.

The free version is supported by advertising on my website. The downloadable PDF for sale on Ravelry includes the full pattern in one printable file without advertisements.

Skills Used
Basic crochet stitches: chain, single crochet, half double crochet, slip stitch
Crocheting in the round
Increasing
Decreasing (invdec with written explanation in pattern and link to tutorial)
Crocheting in the back loop only and the front loop only

Skill Level
Easy

Finished Size
20” (51 cm) circumference

Materials
Dream in Color Classy (100% superwash Merino, 4 oz/113 g, 250 yd/229 m) – 1 skein 180 Visual Purple, or approximately 230 yd (210 m) in any medium weight yarn.

US H-8/5 mm crochet hook, or any size needed to obtain gauge.

Yarn needle.

Stitch marker.

Gauge
Through Rnd 9 in pattern = 4” (10 cm) diameter. For best results, always check your gauge.

This pattern was originally published in November, 2014.