Saaral (meaning grey in Mongolian)

Sumptuous cashmere gently envelopes your head, keeping you warm against the biting wind. Saaral will keep you cosy as the winter days grow shorter and colder. This basic hat allows Pepperberry Cashmere to shine in all its glory (and glorious it certainly is).

Worked from the cast on to the crown with a simple ribbed brim and a stocking stitch body, this hat is perfect for beginners and experienced knitters alike. The crown is gently decreased to give a subtle slouch to the shape but this hat is also easy to adjust and perfectly unisex. Quick and easy, using a single skein of luxurious yarn, this hat would make an ideal gift or a fantastic addition to your own winter wardrobe.

Skills needed

Knitting in the round using knit and purl stitches with k2tog decreases.

Materials

Pepperberry Knits DK (50 g, 128 m / 140 yds, 100% cashmere)
Shade: Silver Fox; 1 skein

3.25mm (US3) 40cm / 16in circular needle
4mm (US6) 40cm / 16in circular needle
4mm (US6) set of DPNS for crown decreases.

Alternatively you can knit the hat using the magic loop technique and an 80cm / 32in cable for both needle sizes.

One stitch marker
Tapestry needle

Gauge

20 sts and 31 rounds to 10cm / 4in over stocking stitch, worked in the round and blocked.

Sizes

Finished hat circumference: 50cm / 19.75in
To fit head circumference: 50 – 56cm / 19.75 – 22in
Length from brim to crown: 22cm / 8.75in

Pattern notes

This hat is very easy to knit and will suit a beginner who has some experience of working in the round, or is willing to give it a try.

This Craftsy tutorial shows how to join your knitting in the round
http://www.craftsy.com/article/how-to-knit-in-the-round

A note on yardage

This pattern was specifically written to get the most from a single skein of this luxurious yarn. I would highly recommend using a reliable electric scale to weigh your yarn before you start and as you are approaching the crown. I used approx. 6g for the crown decreases so I would recommend leaving about 10g for the crown decreases to account for any slight differences in gauge.