Two beanies to celebrate the Isle of Iona, a small island off the Ross of Mull on the western coast of Scotland.

Iona is only 3 miles long and 1.5 miles wide with a population of around 130 permanent residents, but it has been a place for pilgrimage for centuries. Ever since St. Columba and his companions arrived to spread Christianity in Scotland in AD 563, it has been visited by many people from all walks of life and has a special place in their hearts. It is known as a retreat to rest the soul, to enjoy its varied (very old!) rocks, its white (shell) sands, its turquoise sea, its machair, and its wildlife.

I love being on Iona – I feel at peace with the world – and when I wander on the island, I have the melody of the “Iona Boat Song” in my head. When I am not there, listening to it will carry me straight back to this magical place.

The Iona Boat Song Beanies can be knitted in one- or two-colours, using two different needle sizes to knit the shell pattern. You knit with only one colour at a time. Why don’t you join me in a celebration of the Isle of Iona?

Finished measurements: Two sizes – one has a slightly slouchier fit. Beanie circumference (unstretched):
(a) Tighter fit beanie: 46cm 18.1in; length from brim to crown: 24cm 9.4in; (b) slouchy fit beanie: 50cm 19.7in; length from brim to crown: 27cm 10.6in

Yarn: 4ply yarn

Materials used:
Beanie knitted in one colour (C1):
1 skein of Iolair Yarn Gigha; (50% non superwash merino, 50% silk; 4ply; 400m 437yards/ 100g) in colour “topaz (turquoise-Q7)”.
Beanie knitted in two colours (C1 and C2):
(C1): 1 skein of Iolair Yarn Gigha; (50% non superwash merino, 50% silk; 4ply; 400m 437yards/ 100g) in colour “topaz (turquoise-Q7)”
(C2): 1 skein of Iolair Yarn Gigha (50% non superwash merino, 50% silk; 4ply; 400m 437yards/ 100g) in colour “howalite (light-grey-AJ1)”.

Gauge: 24 stitches and 28 rows = 10cm 4in in pattern stitch, unblocked

Needles: (a) Gauge-size circular needles. For the pattern, you will need two needle sizes, one needle should be 3 to 4 sizes larger than the other.
(b) Gauge-size needles of your preferred type to knit the crown.

For reference: A 3.25mm (US 3) size circular needle (50cm 19in length) was used for the cast on and the rib; a 3.25mm (US 3) and a 5mm (US 8) size needle (80mm 31.4in length) was used for the main beanie; and 3.25mm (US 3) and 5mm (US 8) sized double pointed needles were used to knit the crown.

Construction notes: The Iona Boat Song Beanies can be knitted in one or two colours. Here, the one-coloured beanie is knitted in the smaller size and the two-coloured beanie is knitted in the larger size for a slightly slouchy fit. However, you can interchange both colour and/or sizes to your liking.

You only knit with one colour of yarn at a time.

Written and chartered instructions are provided.