My first version of this hat got sucked into New Zealand’s Lake Wakatipu. Named after the mythical giant slumbering at the bottom of the lake, Matau makes a great first colourwork project. Choose between a minimum of two colours for a simple, graphic look, or use as many as possible to turn it into a stashbuster!

Sizes
Child (Adult, Large Adult)
Finished hat circumference: 48 (54, 60) cm/19 (21.25, 23.5) in
Finished hat height: 21.5 (24, 26.5) cm/8.5 (9.5, 10.5) in
Choose a size approximately 5 cm/2 in smaller than your head circumference.

Gauge
20 sts and 23 rows in 10cm/4in using larger needle.

Yarn
Countrywide Yarns Alpex 10ply (50g, 85m/93yds, 80% wool/20% alpaca) in blue (MC), light grey (CC1) and black (CC2): 1 ball of each colour.

Child (Adult, Large Adult): 83 (105, 127)g, 141 (178, 217)m/154 (195, 237)yds.

Needles and Notions
One 3.5mm (below-gauge size) 40cm circular needle
One 3.5mm 60cm (or longer) circular needle
One 4mm (gauge-size) 40cm circular needle, or needles to obtain gauge.
Six stitch markers, including one unique BOR marker
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Skill Level
Intermediate

Skills Required
Two-colour stranding, Judy’s Magic Cast On (tutorial linked in pattern), decreasing over a colourwork chart (instructions in pattern). Colourwork pattern is both written and charted.

Construction Plan
Using two circular needles and Judy’s Magic Cast On, stitches are cast on for a k1, p1 rib double brim. Once knit to length, the brim is folded over on itself and knit together with the provisional stitches at the cast-on edge. Next, the colourwork chart is established for the main body of the hat and worked to a given length. Finally, crown decreases are worked.