Today, when I wake up in the morning, there is a rim of condensation on the window, and the air coming through it has a bite. I shiver a little, but I can feel a smile pulling at my lips. Finally, fall is coming. The knits that have sat in baskets through the long, muggy summer will be brought out today, and knitting can once again feel like a necessity, a laying in of warmth against the coming cold. For now, though, I pull on a light hat and head out for a walk in the luminously colourful forest.

Respite is the perfect hat for those first few days of fall (or the first few days of spring!). This slouchy hat is knit in the round from the brim up, and knits up quickly in your favourite DK weight yarn. The stitch pattern is perfect for those gorgeous variegated skeins that none of us can resist. Or choose a solid or tonal yarn to make the stitch pattern pop.

Suggested Yarns: Tanis Fiber Arts Yellow Label (100% Merino, 260 yd/238 m per 3.5 oz/115 g), sample shown in Canyon; or other DK weight yarn.

Yardage: 160 (200, 240) yd/145 (185, 220) m.

Gauge: 33 sts and 28 rows = 4”/10 cm in texture pattern on larger needles, blocked, unstretched; 22 sts = 4”/10 cm in stockinette stitch on larger needles, blocked.

Suggested Needles:
US 6/4.0 mm, 16” circular needle and DPNs or preferred needles for working small circumference in the round, or size needed to get gauge;
US 4/3.5 mm, 16” circular needle.

Sizes: S (M, L), to fit a head circumference of 18-20 (21-23, 24-25)”/46-51 (53.5-58.5, 61-63.5) cm or Child (Teen/Adult, X-Large Adult).