Little Foot Hat

Pediculus, or “little foot”, is the Latin root of the botanical word petiole. This Little Foot is a tiny, yet miraculous stem that connects the base of a leaf blade to the larger stalk. Its magic lies in its ability to twist the leaf to face the sun. How wondrous is this? A tiny stem, without which the leaf wouldn’t be able to photosynthesize as efficiently, to generate energy from the sun.

For me, this little bit of botany is a reminder to always turn myself to the sun, to draw from that light, and to feel its healing warmth and energy.

Leaves are never just one colour but full of dappled light and texture. I love the idea of doing leafy lacework with a lightly variegated yarn to reflect the subtle variations in leaves.

The worsted weight yarn keeps the lacework cosy and warm in weather where there might not be quite as much sun! And being lacy, this hat can easily be worn as an indoor beanie as well.

Materials

1 skein light worsted weight yarn, approximately 125 metres/137 yards

I used Malabrigo Rios, Pure Merino Superwash, colour Solis (approx. 210 yards per 100 grams)

3.5 mm or US 4 needles, in your preferred style for knitting in the round: double pointed needles, 16 inch circular needle changing to double pointed needles, two circular needles of any length, or one long circular needle for magic loop.

1 stitch marker

Gauge

21 sts = 4 inches / 10 cm in k1, p1 ribbing
28 rounds = 4 inches / 10 cm in k1, p1 ribbing

Finished Measurements

18 inch circumference, ribbing measured flat and unstretched and gently blocked.
Depth 8.5 inches. (Hat is adjustable to 11.5 inches in depth. Note: if you choose to make it longer, you will require more yardage than is called for above.)
Will comfortably fit head of 21 – 24 inches in circumference.