The Doolin Beanie takes its name from the famous Doolin village in Co. Clare, Ireland – where ferry boats sail across to Inis Oírr, the smallest of the Aran Islands and where I am proud to come from! The hat features richly textured cables which rise from the ribbing to come together at the crown.

The hat comes in 4 sizes, ranging from Small to Extra Large, with instructions also included on making a larger or smaller hat. All hats measure 8.5”/22 cm from brim to crown, and range in circumference from 19”/48 cm to 25”/63 cm. The cable pattern is easy for all rows except for where they cross; I would consider this a pattern for intermediate knitters.

The hat is knit in the round, on 2 sizes of circular needle (5mm & 5.5mm/US8 & US9); 2 cable needles are also required to work the featured cable. Other notions required are a stitch marker (to show the start of the row) and a tapestry needle to weave in ends.

Any Aran yarn should be suitable for this pattern; the sample hats pictured were knit in Donegal Yarns Aran Tweed (green hat), Drops Big Merino (grey hat) and Drops Alaska (white hat). One 100g skein (or two 50g balls) should be just enough for one hat. The hat is seamless, as it is knit in the round, and is super soft and comfortable to wear!

I’m a knitter from the Aran Islands and am delighted to have my own original designs now available here : ) Thank you to my wonderful test knitters!