This is the seventh in a series of hats designed during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020.
The complete series includes one hat in each colour of the rainbow, a symbol representing hope during a dark time in our lives, made bearable by the spirit of resilience and fellow feeling of family, friends, neighbours and complete strangers.

This style of this slouchy tam was inspired by some New Lanark DK yarn in my stash. This traditionally spun wool is produced on environmentally friendly principles in an 18th century mill, part of the World Heritage site of New Lanark, Scotland –originally a model cotton mill village established by philanthropists and social reformers.

I had what is known in the art world as ‘Scottish colours’ – purples, lilacs, greens - reminiscent of the heather-coloured landscapes of the Scottish Highlands. Thus, the idea of a Scottish ‘tam o’ shanter’ was born.

The Scottish bonnet has been in existence for centuries and was originally worn by men. It has been called a ‘Tam o’ Shanter’ since the 18th Century, following the publication of Robert Burns’ poem of that name. The poem narrates the story of the drunkard,Tam (Tom), from a location in Scotland called Shanter (possibly Shanter Farm, in Ayrshire.) Tam, on leaving the pub, has visions of witches and warlocks, leading to a hair-raising dash for safety, pursued by the Devil himself. It is not clear why this tale gave rise to the name of the hat. It wasn’t until the 1920s that it became fashionable for women to wear it.

The rose motif is a tribute to one of Scotland’s greatest artists, Charles Rennie McIntosh, who used the rose as a recurring theme in his work.

Sizes
The size of this tam is determined by the circumference of the ribbed brim which varies according to the number of stitches and size of the needles, resulting in a tighter/looser fit.
The size of the main body of the hat is not so crucial as it is slouchy. The number of stitches cannot be altered because of the fair isle design. However, it can be made smaller or larger by altering the tension (gauge) of the knitting.

I have used DK yarn with 2 different tensions, to produce hats which will fit small, medium and large. I am a tight knitter - if you are not, it is worth experimenting with yarns and needle sizes. For example, a sport weight yarn can give the same tension as DK if the right needles are used.

As always, IT PAYS TO CHECK YOUR TENSION.

To fit a head circumference of approx. 18/20 (20/22, 22/24)” ;
46/51(51/56, 56 /61)cm
Blocked circumference at brim: approx.16 (18, 20)” ; 41( 46, 51)cm
Diameter of hat measured flat: 10(10,11)” ; 25(25, 28)cm

Materials
1 x 50g ball of New Lanark DK in MC
1 x 50g ball of New Lanark DK in CC
I used exactly one ball of MC and 16g of CC.
The two colours illustrated are Milano (purple heather) and Clematis (lilac / pimk heather)

I used 3mm / 3.5mm circular needles for the small and large sizes &
3.25mm / 4mm circular needles for the large size.