My great-aunt Alta was one of the most influential women in my life. She never had children of her own, but she treated my mother and her siblings like her children, and we were all her grandchildren. I find it significant that the name Alta means high, lofty, or elevated. This hat is designed to be all of that. The extra warmth and loft from a strand of suri alpaca/silk lace weight yarn gives it a soft, snuggly drape. The simple lace pattern and slip-stitch columns add a sense of height. And the delicate fold-over picot edge elevates the finished product. Included are instructions to construct the picot fold-over brim using either a provisional cast on or a sewn brim option.

Sizing

This pattern is for two sizes and can be changed up or down further by adjusting needle size. Change of size will affect amount of yarn needed for pattern.

Circumference: S/M 18.5” (M/L 20”)

Finished depth: 9.5”

Materials and Gauge

The Alta Hat is made with one strand fingering weight yarn held with a strand of suri alpaca/silk or mohair/silk lace weight yarn. Both yarns are held together throughout the pattern. You will need 300 yards of each.

Yarn A: Yarnbrary Classic Sock (75% superwash merino/25% nylon, with 463 yards to 100 grams). Shown in Bronte.

Yarn B: Yarnbrary Romance Clourd (74% suri alpaca/26% silk, with 328 yards to 50 grams). Shown in Writer’s Block.

Needles (hook): US size 3 (3.25 mm) and US size 6 circular needles (4.0 mm) needles with 16” cords. Double pointed needles in US size 6 (4.0 mm). If using the provisional cast on method for you brim, you’ll need a 4.0 mm crochet hook and an additional US size 3 16” needle. Adjust needle size to obtain gauge. Gauge is 24 stitches by 32 yards in stockinette on larger needles.

Darning needle for weaving in ends.