The beautiful cable patterns of this hat evoke the intricate carved knotwork of the Kildalton Celtic Cross on Islay in Scotland. The Kildalton Hat is worked in the round from the bottom up and features a box stitch pattern, baby X-O cables, and an elaborate knotwork cable at the center front and back of the hat. The cables extend into the hat’s ribbing as well as the crown decreases for a pleasing and harmonious effect. The hat is topped with an optional pompom.

This pattern includes five sizes: baby (16” head circumference), toddler (17.5” head circumference), child (19” head circumference), adult small (21” head circumference), adult large (23” head circumference).

The gauge is 20 sts and 28 rounds = 4” in Stockinette Stitch.
The center cable is 28 sts and 34 rounds = 4” in cable pattern.

This pattern is recommended for intermediate knitters. You must be able to use various cable techniques and standard decrease stitches, and you will need be able to follow cable charts. The pattern will include three separate charts: the hat ribbing, the main body of the hat, and the crown decreases. The unique and stunning results are well worth the challenge of this pattern!

The suggested yarn for the Kildalton Hat is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Superwash, but it can be knit in any worsted weight yarn. The bold cable designs will handle more vibrant colorways just as well as lighter neutrals. The hat requires approximately 110 (110, 220, 220, 220) yds of yarn. For the version featured here, I used 2 balls of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Superwash (100% Superwash Wool; 110 yards/50g): Blossom Heather 26318. You will also need 16” circular needles and double pointed needles in size US 7 or whatever size necessary to get the gauge, and 16” needles one size smaller for the lining, as well as DPNs.

This pattern includes cable charts for each hat size.