The Spiced Chai Beanie is the perfect hat for the whole family to enjoy. It is well-suited for gift-giving and knitting for kids, since the stretchy stitch patterns make the fit extremely forgiving.

I was inspired to create a highly textured design when I saw the gorgeous tones in a skein of Malabrigo Rios Piedras. The colors reminded me of the spicy blend of chai tea, so I planned a variety of stitches to represent the mix of flavors. All sizes of the hat have an off-center cable panel, flanked with slipped stitches, and a background of star stitches. The hat is knit in the round with 1x1 ribbing for the brim, and then the beginning of round shifts as the hat body begins. This creates a seamless pattern texture and attractive cable placement. Showcase a bold handpainted skein or let the rich texture shine with a solid yarn.

The directions for the adult hat are given separately; the directions for the baby hat appear in red with the toddler/child directions in blue italics.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Brim circumference: 11 (14, 16) inches, stretches to fit up to a 15-inch (19-inch, 22-inch) head
Length: 5 (6.5, 10) inches

GAUGE

24 sts / 28 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in star stitch

MATERIALS

Malabrigo Yarn Rios 100% superwash merino wool; 210 yd/19 m per 100g skein

Baby - RIO846 Winter Lake, 1 skein (used 28g, or approx. 59 yds.)
Toddler/child - RIO138 Ivy, 1 skein (used 45g, or approx. 95 yds.)
Adult - RIO862 Piedras, 1 skein (used 65g, or approx. 137 yds.)

1 US #6 / 4 mm circular needle, 16-inch
1 US #8 / 5 mm circular needle, 16-inch
US #8 / 5 mm double pointed needles

US #6 DPNs may be preferred for the baby sized hat,
due to the small circumference

Notions
stitch markers, tapestry needle, cable needle