I’m bringing you this new hat design as a joyful celebration of finding out a little about the Shetland house that I bought in September, 2020 and of a strong woman that lived in it called Susan also known as Susanna or Cissie. Susan, who was born in the house on 6th February 1876 and died at the house in 1960 – she was 83. I’m writing these words, sitting at my desk, facing the sea, in what would have been Susan’s bedroom – it is the North bedroom of two within this tiny house. Susan lived here alone after her parents and brothers died, 1908,1914 and 1916 respectively.
I am celebrating her with words, colours and this knitting pattern.
The story of finding out about Susan is written in this pattern.

SIZING
The beanie is a closely fitted. It measures 8.5 inches from the centre of the crown to the bottom of the edge of the rib. And will fit a head of 22 to 23 inches in diameter.

It is knitted in the round using knit stitches only.
The Pattern repeat is 32 rows x 32 stitches
Gauge at UK 3mm needles – 32 rows x 32 stitches = 10cm

Yarn:- I used 8 colours from Jamieson’s of Shetland Spindrift Range – Rye, Dewdrop, Moorgrass, Maroon, Havana, Peat, Sunrise and Cocoa. If you want to knit the exact same colourway, you will need one ball of each colour. But you can also use your stash to make your own combinations or any yarn for UK 3mm Needles that work with the gauge above.

I hope that you enjoy this design. It is my most meaningful design to date – dedicated to a strong woman called Susanna Halcrow. The name of the design has been long pondered and as it is all entirely inspired by her, the woman that I see - I will use her words that she wrote on a Christmas card, a photograph commercially taken in Lerwick at a photographers studio. I’m calling the hat -

‘Good Wishes for the New Year’

I think that we can all feel that wish for all friends and family that we know and love in these times of uncertainty and change. I wish you all Good Wishes for the New year.

Happy knitting – Tracey Doxey November 2020.