A hat featuring a nosy raccoon ravaging the trash cans at night – a cute pattern in stranded colorwork called ‘Masked Bandit’ from the Alterknit Stitch Dictonary by Andrea Rangel. To further embellish the motif it is enclosed by ‘chain details’ in main colour.

The hat is worked in the round from the brim to the top.
Before the motif, all stitches are bound off and then picked up again to create a distinctive chain detail; another chain detail is added with an Estonian Braid after the motif.
The raccoon motif is worked in stranded knitting. To accommodate the tighter gauge of the stranded knitting, this part is worked on larger needles.

Sizes
S, M and L to fit head circumference of approximately 46.5 (51.5, 56.5) cm 18.25 (20.25, 22.25)”. Length results in 18.75 (21.25, 23.75) cm 7.5 (8.5, 9.5”) when worked as written in the pattern, adjustable.

Material
Approximately 300 m (330 yds) of DK weight yarn in 3 contrasting colours: 150 m (165 yds) in main colour and 75 m (82 yds) each in two contrast colours
Used in the sample: Jamieson’s Double Knitting (100% Shetland wool; 82 yd / 7/8 oz): #425 mustard (yellow; MC), 2 balls; #122 granite (light gray; CC1) and #999 black (CC2), 1 ball each.
3.5 mm / US size 4 and 3.75 mm / US size 5 DPNs or circular needle(s), for your preferred way to knit in the round
6 stitch markers, darning needle

Gauge
24 sts and 32 rows = 10 cm / 4” in Stockinette stitch on smaller needles, blocked
24 sts and 32 rows = 10 cm / 4” in stranded colourwork pattern on larger needles, blocked

Please note: The stranded motif is worked from charts.