This hat was inspired by a beautiful, but freezing cold winter walk on Saints’ Island in Lough Ree, one of the lakes formed by the River Shannon as it traverses the centre of Ireland. The island was the site of a medieval monastery, but today little remains except for the ruins of a Gothic church. The simple chevron pattern of the hat is inspired by the elegant arches of the empty church window framing the sky, while the soft wool and alpaca yarn takes up the muted blue-grey colours of clouds and water.

This is an easy, quick knit ideal for beginners as it involves no shaping – the piece is simply knit in the round and the top is pulled closed with a crochet chain hidden on the inside to form a hat, or it can be folded over to wear as a cowl or a wide headband.

SIZE AND FIT
The pattern includes four sizes – 1 (baby 6-12 months), 2 (toddler 1-2 years), 3 (child/teen), and 4 (adult) – and instructions for making each size in either DK or Aran weight yarn.
To fit an approximate head circumference of:
Size 1: 40.5-45.5 cm/16-18 inches
Size 2: 45.5-48 cm/18-19 inches
Size 3: 50.5 cm/20 inches
Size 4: 56 cm/22 inches
The fabric is very stretchy, so each size will fit a range of head sizes. The length can also be varied by folding up the brim.
Light blue sample: Shown in size 4, Aran weight on a 56 cm/23 inch head circumference with 14 cm/5.5 inches of negative ease.
Teal blue sample: Shown in size 2, DK weight on a on a 48 cm/19 inch head circumference with 10 cm/4 inches of negative ease.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Size 1:
Circumference (unstretched): 36 cm/14.25 inches
Total length (untied): 20.5 cm/8 inches
Length of hat from brim to tie: 17 cm/6.75 inches
Size 2:
Circumference (unstretched): 38 cm/15 inches
Total length (untied): 22 cm/8.75 inches
Length of hat from brim to tie: 18.5 cm/7.25 inches
Size 3:
Circumference (unstretched): 40 cm/15.75 inches
Total length (untied): 24 cm/9.5 inches
Length of hat from brim to tie: 20.5 cm/8 inches
Size 4:
Circumference (unstretched): 42 cm/ 16.5 inches
Total length (untied): 26.5 cm/10.5 inches
Length of hat from brim to tie: 23 cm/9 inches

YARN
DK:
Drops Lima Mix (65% wool, 35% alpaca; 100 m/109 yds per 50 g/1.8 oz skein), colour: #0701 Petrol (teal blue), ca. 128, 142, 160, 182 m/140, 155, 175, 199 yds ≙ 2 balls.
Aran:
Drops Nepal Mix (65% wool, 35% alpaca; 75 m/82 yds per 50 g/1.8 oz skein), colour: #8907 Fog (light blue), ca. 105, 117, 132, 150 m/115, 128, 144, 164 yds ≙ 2 balls.
This yardage includes a 10x10 cm/4x4 inch swatch.
If substituting yarn, look for a DK/Aran weight with good elasticity – wool is ideal. Avoid a higher alpaca content than in the yarn used here as alpaca is less elastic.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
Always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below.
DK:
4 mm/US size 6 needles for working small circumferences in the round: set of dpns, ca. 40 cm/16 inch circular needle (for the 2 larger sizes) or long circular needle for magic loop method
3.5 mm/US size 4 needles for working small circumferences in the round
ca. 3.5 mm/US size 4 crochet hook
Aran:
5 mm/US size 8 needles for working small circumferences in the round: set of dpns, ca. 40 cm/16 inch circular needle (for the 2 larger sizes) or long circular needle for magic loop method
4.5 mm/US size 7 needles for working small circumferences in the round
ca. 4.5 mm/US size 7 crochet hook
Both yarn weights:
stitch marker
tapestry needle

GAUGE
DK:
21 sts and 28 rows ≙ 10 cm/4 inches in stockinette stitch on larger needles
24 sts and 29 rows ≙ 10 cm/4 inches in chevron pattern (worked in the round, unblocked) on larger needles
Aran:
17 sts and 23 rows ≙ 10 cm/4 inches in stockinette stitch on larger needles
22 sts and 23 rows ≙ 10 cm/4 inches in chevron pattern (worked in the round, unblocked) on larger needles
Note: Stockinette gauge is given to help with yarn substitution, it’s not necessary to make a stockinette swatch.

TECHNIQUES USED

• knit/purl
• knitting in the round
• crochet chain