Gem Lake started as an experiment to see if I could make a hat out of Linen Stitch. I thought that I would have to add some ribbing or a piece of elastic in the back of the hat. Imagine my surprise that I didn’t need need to add anything - the yarn itself, Prism Symphony, provided enough stretch to allow the hat to fit a typical adult head.

Construction:

• Cast On - Crocheted cast on around a knitting needle. (You can substitute a crocheted chain where you pick up the back bump of each stitch if you prefer.) I like this cast on for Linen Stitch because it is a little stretchier than long-tail cast on.
• Linen Stitch is a slipped stitch pattern. You will only work with one color per round.
• A crocheted chain is added to the hat above the brim to smooth the transition from brim to solid color. View my video tutorial for help with this.

Yarn - Prism Symphony and Symphony Layers (80% Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon; 118 yards) - you will need one skein of each color. Colors used in model were Violetta and Moss.

Please be aware that you should use a yarn with a lot of elasticity in order for your hat to fit. A 2” piece of Prism Symphony will stretch to almost 2.5”. To be safe, test your yarn first!

Needles/Hook -

• US 8/5.0mm 16” circular & double pointed needles

• US 10/6.0mm 16” circular needle

• US I/5.5mm crochet hook (for your cast on)