After the rain, the world is washed clean. Even in the muddy depths of a wet winter, pebbles shine with newly revealed colour, evergreen leaves gleam, and the clouds break to show the sky. This is a hat for hope and new beginnings.

Refresh your knitting mojo with some new skills too. Double knitting in DK yarn provides a warm double-layer hat, whilst one simple pattern row creates some texture and allows a multicoloured reverse side yarn to peek through like little jewels emerging from their ore.

This pattern is the Malabrigo quickie for December 2019.

Pattern contains
Charts and written instructions for main pattern and crown decreases. Links to tutorials for suggested cast on and for the unusual stitches.

Sizes :
Choose a size approx. 5-10cm (2 -4 in) less than your actual head size for a snug fit (sample is shown with 8 cm negative ease) Be sure to measure from the top of your crown to the base of your ear to check required length and work additional rows if required.

Finished sizes:
Finished circumference & length
4 years- adult small: 45cm/18 3/4in circ. 19/5cm/7 3/4 ½in long
Adult M 49cm/19¼in circ. 20cm/8in long
Adult L 56cm/22in circ. 21 cm/8 ¼ in long

Gauge:
16 stitches and 26 rows over 10cm/4 in over the main pattern stitch in double knitting (this is 16 stitches each face of the knitting; 32 stitches in total for this width of knitting).

Skills required:
Knitting in the round
Decreasing
Double knitting
Some special stitches (video tutorials provided)

Needles:
4mm (US 6) circular needle or correct needle size to achieve gauge, plus a needle one size smaller for cuff. You can use DPNS or two circular needles if you prefer.

Notions
Tapestry needle to weave in ends.
Stitch markers
Cable needle or dpn (optional)

Yarn and yardage
Two highly contrasting DK weight yarns - one plain and one variegated. I used Malabrigo Yarn Dos Tierras in Cameleon (multicoloured) for yarn A and Plomo (purple-grey) for yarn B .

4 years- adult small: 66 metres (72 yards) of each colour.
Adult M: 71 metres (78 yards) of each colour
Adult L: 83 metres (91 yards) of each colour

Allow extra yarn for pom pom, if desired.