When I learned to knit as a child, one of the first things we knitted ( after teddy scarf and hairband) was a Jelly Bag Hat. I love the simplicity of the design the fact that it is so easy that a novice knitter can create a finished project to be proud of or give as a gift.

Jolly Jelly Bags is my contemporary take on this classic hat. The pattern also contains instructions for easy wrist warmers.

The suggested yarns combine baby alpaca, wool and mohair to create accessories which are light as air, warm as toast and very quick to knit.

• Jolly Jelly Bags hat and wrist warmers are designed to have a casual fit and are therefore knitted on one size needle. If you prefer a closer fit at the brim, you may knit the rib of the hat on a needle two sizes smaller than that used for the main body of the hat

• The Jolly Jelly Bags hat is knitted in one piece and seamed to finish. Starting with a 1 x 1 rib, featuring stripes in a contrast yarn and finished with all round decreases over 4 rows to finish.

• Jolly Jelly Bags wrist warmers are knitted in stocking stitch, finished with a decorative cast off and seamed, leaving a thumb opening.
o Optional decorative rows of Swiss darning in the contrast yarn may be added to the mitts after they have been seamed