Granny’s Shamrock-Covered Shore:

Inspiration comes in many guises. My friend Angel sent me a photo a while back, saying, “I found this beautiful bowl. Wouldn’t it make a lovely hat?” The Celtic knot and shamrocks on Angel’s bowl got me thinking…and remembering my granny’s bittersweet memories of her years in County Galway, Ireland, as a bairn. So, thanks to Angel and her beautiful bowl for the inspiration for this design, I’ve called this wee hat ‘Granny’s Shamrock-Covered Shore’ and dedicated it to the kindness of the Irish folks who looked after my family.
This hat is light as a feather, yet incredibly warm because of the double thickness created by the colour work. It features a border of gold chains and shamrocks and Celtic crosses interlaced with shamrocks. It is knitted in the round so there is no seam and only knit stitches are required. You may use either a set of double-pointed knitting needles or a circular knitting needle, depending on your preference, though you will still need double-pointed needles for the crown decreases. There is a knitted lined brim, which is the depth of the three border patterns. This makes the hat cosier over your ears for the coldest of days. The lining is knitted before the main body of the hat and turned up to the inside. The hat is finished with three knitted Shamrocks, made and suspended by I-cords from the crown of the hat.
Some experience of fair isle or stranded colour work is needed for this pattern.

Materials:
Pattern uses 4ply/Fingering Shetland wool or equivalent:
The actual amount of yarn used is listed below, but please use this as a rough guide only and allow additional, given that different brands may differ slightly. The yardage of the wool used was 215m/236yds per 50g.
White: 30g Green: 32g Gold: 5g

Knitting Needles:
One set of 4 double-pointed knitting needles, size 3.25mm (US 3) are suggested for knitting the hat to the desired tension. Alternatively, a circular needles in this size can be used, if preferred.
One set of double-pointed knitting needles, size 3.25mm (US 3) are also requires for the shamrock tassels.

Finished Measurements:
One size fits most heads (Finished measurement approx. 22ins/56cm, without stretching).

Tension:
Approximately 28 stitches and 32 rows to 4ins / 10cm over pattern in stocking stitch.