Autumn has always been my favourite season, the aesthetic of bright autumnal sunshine highlighting the gold, brown, honey and amber colours of the leaves on the trees always brings me pleasure. I love to wrap up in my knits to stay warm and cosy whilst enjoying the outdoors and the wonderful nature that surrounds us.
I knit this hat shortly before a visit to Scotland, and one sunny but cold day we took a walk in Tentsmuir Forest, where pine trees grow from the sand dunes and the concrete ‘Dragon’s Teeth’ continue to defend the coast like a rock of ages. It was late October and this hat kept my head and ears toasty warm as we wondered the paths of the forest and absorbed the magic and delights within.
This is a simple hat, incorporating a simple colour work design, it’s knit in Aran weight yarn so works up fairly quickly. This pattern has the written instructions, a colour work chart and helpful videos and YouTube links, making it suitable for a confident beginner.

YARN, GAUGE & NEEDLES: Aran / Worsted weight yarn to achieve a gauge of 20.5 stitches and 23 rows per 10cm x 10cm (4”x 4”) in stocking stitch. I used a 3.5mm needle for the brim, a 4.5mm needle for the colour work section* and a 4mm needle for the rest of the hat. Using a bigger needle for the colour work section is optional, you can use a 4mm needle once you have finished the brim if you prefer.
Use either DPNs throughout in the sizes stated (or the size you need to achieve gauge) or use 40cm circular cable needles until you reach the decreases and then switch to DPNs.
I recommend you knit a gauge swatch. If you achieve more stitches per 10cm than stated, switch to a bigger needle, if you achieve less stitches use a smaller needle.
Have a stitch marker handy as well!
The samples I made are Hobbycraft Knitcraft Leader of the Pac Aran in shades Charcoal and Mustard, and Lopi Léttlopi in shades 0054 (light ash heather) and 9423 (lagoon heather). Quantity = 1 x ball of each colour
SIZE: Finished hat measures 46cm (18”) at the (unstretched) brim with a height of 23cm (9”) to fit an average head circumference of 56cm (22”). For a hat with more slouch, increase the length by knitting more rounds after you have completed the colour work section, but before you start the decreases.