I designed this hat for my son this October. He requested a wool hat with skulls on it to wear at his cross country meets. He also asked that I add in some lightning bolts in honor of his team’s name the “North Shore Storm.” I love this season of harvest, of darkness and of letting go with the new year on our horizon. I get kind of an expecting-mama’s burst of energy this time of year, scurrying around cooking, cleaning and making all the things, so I was happy to oblige his request for this speedy, spooky knit - just in time for Halloween!

Yarn
Harrisville Designs (100% Merino Wool 210 yards/192 meters)

• Main Color - Nightshades, Dashboard 1 skein.
• Contrast Color - Daylights, Chirp 1 skein. OR Approximately 93 (100, 108, 117) yards / 85 (91, 99, 107) meters in Main Color. Approximately 23 (25, 27, 29) yards / 21 (23, 25, 27) meters in Contrast Color.

Gauge 20 stitches and 26 rounds= 4” / 10 cm in both Stockinette Stitch & Colorwork Pattern on larger needles.

Suggested Needles*
US Size 5 / 3.75 mm circular needle, 16” / 40 cm length for the ribbing.
US Size 6 / 4 mm 16” / 40 cm length for the hat body.
Double pointed needles of the same sizes suitable for small circumference knitting for the crown decreases.
Always choose the needle size that you need in order to obtain the pattern’s gauge.

Sizes
One Size - Approximately 19”/ 48.25 cm circumference and 9” / 23 cm tall, unstretched. Recommended 2-2.5” / 5-6.5 cm negative ease for a snug fit.

Notions

• 1 Stitch marker to mark BOR
• Highlighter Tape (optional - to keep your place in the pattern)
• Measuring Tape
• Tapestry Needle
• Pompom maker
• Wool Wash and Blocking Mat

Techniques Used

• Long Tail Cast On Method
• Knitting in the Round on a Circular Needle
• K2TOG Decreasing
• Small Circumference Knitting in the Round
• Stranded Colorwork Knitting