Aran Watchcap by Máirín Ní Dhonncha

Aran Watchcap

Knitting
April 2023
Aran (8 wpi) ?
16 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette stitch
US 8 - 5.0 mm
US 9 - 5.5 mm
164 - 197 yards (150 - 180 m)
Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large
English
This pattern is available for €4.00 EUR
buy it now or visit pattern website

The Aran Watchcap takes its name from the Aran Islands, Ireland – where I am proud to come from! The hat features a warm folded brim, perfect for keeping woolly warmth around the face and ears. A richly textured cable creates extra thickness in the main body of the hat. The cable draws in the fabric of the hat to the extent that I would suggest knitting this hat in a larger size than you would usually choose.

The hat comes in four sizes (Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large), but advice is included on modifying the pattern for an even larger or smaller size. As given, each hat measures 11”/28 cm from brim to crown, and range in circumference from 17”/42cm (small) to 20”/51 cm (large).

The hat is knit in the round, using two sizes of circular needle. The cable featured is an unusual one, which requires two cable needles for ease of working it, but the rest of the hat is quite an easy knit, suitable for intermediate knitters (or confident beginners).

Notes:
 The cable draws in the fabric of the hat to the extent that I would suggest knitting this hat in a larger size than you would usually choose.
 The hats pictured have a loose brim, worked using needles 1 size smaller than the main body of the hat. If you would like a tighter brim, I would suggest going down another needle size, to 4.5mm needles (US7)
 The repeat is worked over 12 sts. You can cast on more (or less) multiples of 12 to make a larger (or smaller) hat.

Notions:
Stitch marker
Two cable needles
Tapestry needle (knitter’s sewing neede) for weaving in ends