Naeko is a Japanese language partner that I met in 2021. She is living in the U.S. while her husband is working here for a few years. She had on the most wonderful jersey one day and I told her I loved the shapes. She emailed me a photo of her shirt. While I couldn’t reproduce it faithfully, it reminded me of hydrangea blossoms and that is what I aimed for in my graphing of the motif!
Knit in Cascade 220 Aran Superwash Merino, it’s a quick knit and a great gift. This hat is a little tall. Instructions for shortening are included on chart pages.

Four sizes are included. Infant, Child, Adult, Large Adult.
Never more than two colors on a round.
Always choose size based on final circumference. .

NOTES: R E A D P L E A S E ! ! !
This cap has rib to start which is turned to the inside and hem is whipstitched to form a double brim. Add extra rnds (and MC yardage) if a wider rib band is desired for ear warmth.

Change colors every 8 rnds. Print off charts and mark color change rnds. Fewer colors can be used, work more rnds per color. More colors can be used, reduce number of rnds per color. Only 5 CCs are needed for Infant Size.

Worsted weight yarn can be used if desired. Go down a needle size and knitter may need to sknit the next size up on to achieve correct circumference.

Charts are slightly different to accommodate stitch counts.

Pattern calls for 1 inch of rib. If more rib is desired for ear warmth, up to 3 inches can be knit and MC yardage should be increased.

Materials:
Cascade 220 Aran Superwash Merino used for hat in photos.
This cap is a great Stash Buster. If your stash has small amounts of aran weights, they can be used interchangeably with the Contrasting Colors below as long as they meet gauge.
COLORS BELOW are for Hat in photo above.

MC : ( 75, 85, 100, 110 ) yd / ( 50, 69, 78, 98 ) m CARAFE
CC1 : ( 10, 12, 14, 16 ) yd / ( 9, 11, 13, 15 ) m GREEN APPLE
CC2 : ( 10, 12, 14, 16 ) yd / ( 9, 11, 13, 15 ) m FLINT STONE
CC3 : ( 10, 12, 14, 16 ) yd / ( 9, 11, 13, 15 ) m BABY DENIM
CC4 : ( 10, 12, 14, 16 ) yd / ( 9, 11, 13, 15 ) m ROYAL PURPLE
CC5 : ( 10, 12, 14, 16 ) yd / ( 9, 11, 13, 15 ) m STRAWBERRY CREAM
CC6 : ( 10, 12, 14, 16 ) yd / ( 9, 11, 13, 15 ) m DEEP CORAL

Yarn amounts for TWO colors only: MC: same as above
CC: (50, 72, 84, 96 ) yd / ( 45, 64, 76, 87 ) m INFANT SIZE NEEDS ONLY 5 CCs.

US Size 7 / 4.5 mm 16 or 24 in Circular Needles OR size needed to obtain gauge.
DPNs in same size as above to complete decreases.
Sharp Darning Needle, Stitch Marker Pom Pom or Tassel, Optional.

Gauge: 18 st x 24 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stranded stockinette st, slightly stretched.
Finished Height: ( 8 , 9.5, 9.5 , 9.5 ) in / ( 20, 23, 23, 23 ) cm (meas from purl rnd above rib)
Shorter Height is 1 inch shorter than given height above NA for Infant Size.
Finished Circumference: ( 17.75, 21.3, 22.25, 24.5 ) in / ( 45, 54., 56.5, 62.25 ) cm