Kalk Bay

As you walk down to the waters edge the fresh salty air flows over you - awakening your senses and refreshing your soul. The ocean spray gently falls on your skin and the wide expanse of sea stretches out before you, captivating the senses as you take a moment to breathe in everything that is enchanting about the sea.

Walking along the coast is one of my favourite ways to re-set and relax. The sounds of crashing waves and the rhythmic motion of the sea and the fresh sea air bring me a sense of calm.

The yarn used for this delightfully cosy hat is from Cowgirl Blues in South Africa and so I named this hat after one of my beloved spots for fish and chips in Cape Town - because after a lovely coastal walk I am rather partial to a great fish and chips …

The Kalk Bay hat is available in 5 sizes, meaning everyone can have a warm and cosy head this winter. The adult sizes also feature two lengths, fitted and slouchy, so you can adapt the pattern to suit your personal style.

The soothing combination of knits and purls is a joy to knit and a fantastic way for a beginner to learn to read their knitting.

Materials

Cowgirlblues Merino DK (DK; 100% Merino; 100m / 109yd per 50g ball)
Shade: Cocoa x 1 (1, 2, 2, 2)

3.5mm / US 4 circular needle 40cm / 16in length (or 80cm / 32in length for magic loop)
3.5mm / US 4 set of DPNs for crown decreases, or longer circular needle for magic loop

7 stitch markers (optional, to mark pattern repeats)
You may find it helpful to have one different coloured stitch marker to mark the start of your rnd.

Tapestry needle
Balloon for blocking

Gauge

Always use the needle size that enables you to match the specified gauge.

24 sts and 34 rnds over 10cm / 4in of stocking stitch worked in the rnd and blocked, using 3.5mm / US 4 needles

22 sts and 36 rnds over 10cm / 4in of Double Stitch Textured Pattern worked in the rnd and blocked, using 3.5mm / US 4 needles

Size(s)

Baby (Toddler, Child, Adult S/M, Adult M/L)

Finished hat circumference: 28.5 (35, 41.5, 47.5, 54)cm / 11.25 (13.75, 16.25, 18.75, 21.25)in
To fit head circumference: 32 (38, 46, 53, 58)cm / 13.5 (16, 19, 22, 24)in

Finished length from cast-on edge to crown
Fitted all sizes: 11.5 (14, 18, 21, 21.5)cm / 4.5 (5.75, 7, 8.25, 8.5)in
Slouchy Adult S/M and Adult M/L: 23 (23.5)cm / 9 (9.25)in

Pattern Notes

Creating a stretchy cast-on is important for the brim of this hat. I recommend the German Twisted cast-on as it is both firm and stretchy. Please be mindful of how tightly you cast on for the brim: if you need to use a larger needle to get a good stretch I advise you do this.

The brim is worked in mixed rib, the body is then worked in the Double Stitch Textured Pattern which is flanked by stocking stitch columns. The crown decreases are incorporated into the textured stitch pattern and framed by the stocking stitch columns.

Tutorials for the German Twisted cast-on and cabling without a cable needle can be found on www.knitsharelove.com/tutorials