elen pass brandt, ©2013, as always… for my friends (and editors) at Auburn Needleworks, (www.auburnneedleworks.com)

This is your basic hat thing. If you really have no interest in felting – then just do the slouchy version, easy, no problem. If you are going through a French phase and want to envision yourself riding down the road on “une bicyclette” with a basket of fresh “pain” – a beret holding your fabulous tresses in place – by all means, live large, do the felted version. Either way, you are the arbiter of your own joy.

Finished Sizes: Medium(Loose) to Large Head for Slouchy – The Felted depends on how tight you felt it (but it fits at least an average head size.)

YARN: Less than one skein (220 yds) of Cascade 220.
100% Peruvian Highland Wool, 3.5 oz. (100 g.) yielding an
average of 18-20 stitches per 4” - using US sizes 7-8 needles.

NOTE: I use this yarn because I know its felting properties – which are very consistent – if you use something ostensibly equivalent for the felted version, the outcome may vary.

NEEDLES/GAUGE: US Size 9 DPNs, US Size 9 Circulars (16”). Using the US 9 size DPNs and a circular (16”) needle, I was able to do approx. 4 stitches to the inch.