The Danse Macabre or dance of death has been a popular allegory of the universality of death since the middle ages. Typically skeletons are depicted rising from the grave, dancing and making music.

The Danse Macabre is an awesome motif for a gothic beanie – after all, the dance of death is universal, not just for Halloween.

The hat has a half-ribbed lining which is tucked inside, so as to give a snug fit around the ears.

You will need 2 colours - around 50 g/ 287 m/ 314 yards/ of each shade.

I used a 2.25 mm / US size 1 / UK 13 circular needle.

The finished hat is 26 cm (10 inches) tall and S: 50 cm (20 inches), M: 52 cm (20.5 inches), L:54 cm (21 inches) in circumference.