Ta’aroa Hat

Copyright Lisa McFetridge - 2014
Tattooing is a sacred ceremony in Polynesian culture. The location of tattoos on the body were decided by a person’s lineage, place in society & life achievements. Traditionally, high-ranking Māori were tattooed. Those without tattoos were at the lowest social level. According to myth, humans learned the art of tattoo from the 2 sons of Ta’aroa, God of Creation, & so comes the name of the hat. Tattooing was part of a religious ceremony & done by a shaman who was an expert in the meanings of the tattoos as well as a skilled artist.

This hat uses motifs common in Polynesian, Samoan and Maori tattoos. Included are Shark Teeth (bottom band); Clamshells (second band); the Marquesas Cross (third band); Ocean Waves (fourth band); and the Enata (top band.) The shark teeth, clamshells and waves are representative of the presence of these things in daily life. The Marquesas Cross represents the balance between the elements, harmony. The Enata represents humans and gods; life.

This hat is versatile. It is a rectangle, sewn straight across the top, but braids added to the INSIDE of the two top corners help easily change the shape of the hat. It can be worn flat OR tie the two inner braids and it creates a pleated top that I like very much. Wear it one way one day and another way the next! Add tassels to the outer corners and add a small dot of the tassel color to the corner of each clamshell on the first band for a little pop of color.

Finished Measurements for sizes: Infant ( Child/Sm Adult, Lg Adult )
Finished Length: 9.5 (10.5, 10.5) inches / 24 (26, 26) cm
Finished Circumference above brim: 17 (19, 21.5) inches / 42.5 (47.5, 47.5) cm

Yarn:
Cascade 220 (100% Wool; 220 yards/100g) or other light worsted weight yarn
70 (80, 90) yds / 64 (73, 82.5) m MC Black (or desired MC)
60 (70, 80) yds / 55 (64, 73) m CC White (or desired CC)
10 (10, 10) yds / 9 (9, 9) m CC2 Anis (optional for tassels and embroidery)

Needles

US 7 (4.5mm) 16 or 24 inch circular needles, or size to obtain gauge
US 7 (4.5mm) DPNs same size as needles above

Notions

Seam
Needle
Stitch Markers
Stitch holder
OPTIONAL: Thin fleece liner same size as hat for lining.

Gauge
Hat: 20 sts and 25 rows = 4” in stranded St st in the round, blocked.