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This pattern features travelling stitches and a little cabling to produce a warm hat with an interesting sinuous design and a modicum of lace. Instructions are given for three sizes, to fit teen, adult or large adult, either close-fitting beanie or drapey slouch hat, and can be knit in fingering/4ply, DK, or aran/worsted weight yarn, making this a very versatile pattern. The design was inspired by images of snakes and their wonderful patterned skin.

Three yarn weights are suggested, with instructions given for each weight. There are three charts, one for each weight - the crown is the same for each weight of yarn, the sinuous cable design differs.

The hat can be knit in either a close-fitting beanie style, or as a longer drapey slouch.

Approximate metreage required for each weight:
fingering/4ply: max 348m
DK: max 220m
Aran: max 140m

Tools needed:
A circular needle, 40 cm (or longer if using magic loop), or a set of dpns in the following sizes:
For the fingering/4ply version:
2.5 mm US size 1.5.
3 mm UK/Can size 11, US size 2.5.
For the DK version:
3.5 mm US size 4.
4 mm UK/Can size 8, US size 6.
For the Aran/Worsted version:
4.5 mm UK/Can size 7, US size 7.
5 mm UK/Can size 6, US size 8.

Tension
4ply/Fingering: 24 sts and 36 rows = 10 cm (4”) in pattern stitch on 3 mm needles, after washing and blocking.
DK: 18 sts and 28 rows = 10 cm (4”) in pattern stitch on 4 mm needles, after washing and blocking.
Aran/Worsted: 16 sts and 21 rows = 10 cm (4”) in pattern stitch on 5 mm needles, after washing and blocking.

Finished sizes
To fit a wide range of sizes, depending upon the weight of yarn used and the number of repeats selected.
fingering/4ply: to fit head circumferences 53 cm (58 cm, 64 cm) / approx. 21” (22 ¾”, 25”).
DK: to fit head circumferences 46 cm (54 cm, 62 cm) / approx. 18” (21 ¼”, 24 ½”).
Aran/Worsted: to fit head circumferences 53 cm (61 cm) / approx. 21” (24”).