A fitted beanie featuring a cable section and wide ribbing to showcase a lovely hand-dyed yarn, The Lichen Hat makes for a quick knit and an ideal introduction to cabling. Inspired not only by the beautiful and multidimensional shades of this buttery-soft, hand-dyed merino from Fibresmith, but also by nature’s remarkable lichens.

It has recently discovered that lichens exist as a symbiosis between an alga and not one, as previously thought, but two and possibly even 3 different fungal species. Lichens can be found in vibrant and surprising colours and can thrive in some of the harshest conditions on the planet. The next time you find yourself in nature, take a moment to zoom in and admire some lichen, while keeping your ears cosy with a hand-made beanie!

The photos for this pattern were taken on an unseasonably warm autumn day here in Melbourne at Cheetham Wetlands, one of several important coastal wetland ecosystems and migratory shorebird hotspots along the western shore of Port Phillip Bay.

This pattern is offered for free for personal use only. If you like the pattern, consider making a donation to BirdLife Australia to support Australian native bird conservation and help turn around Australia’s Extinction Crisis. http://birdlife.org.au/current-appeal

Pattern Notes
This hat is worked in the round from the bottom up beginning with a few rounds of 2x2 rib. The body and crown of the hat includes a cable pattern worked in one section and a straightforward 6x2 rib pattern forms the rest of the hat. The cable pattern is charted only. Charts are always read from right to left.

Yarn
1 ball of Fibresmith Hand Dyed DK Merino - available online at https://fibresmith.com.au
Shade ‘lichen’ used for sample
225m/246yds per 100g ball
Yardage to complete project: Approximately 60g / 135m/148yds

Gauge
Brim: 30 sts to 10cm/4in over 2x2 rib in the round, unstretched. I used 3mm (US 2) needles.
Body of hat: 26 sts to 10cm/4in over 6x2 rib pattern in the round, I used 3.5mm (US 4)
Ensure you swatch to obtain correct gauge. Use 3.5mm (US 4) needle as a starting point for swatching.

Size
Fits most teen to adult head sizes.
Head circumference: 51-58cm/20-23in