Thraigh Mhor beach on the Isle of Barra is famous for having the world’s only airport where scheduled flights land on a beach. Known also as “the Cockle Strand”, landing in this majestic place is a very memorable experience. Visiting the Outer Hebrides is not possible during lockdown at the moment, but with Thraigh Mhor or any remote beach in mind, why not knit this beanie with its shell pattern to remember a wonderful walk on a beach?

Finished measurements: Beanie circumference (unstretched): 49cm (19.3in); length from brim to crown: 26cm (10.2in)

Yarn: DK yarn

Materials used: 1 skein of Iolair Yarn Easdale (70% Baby Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere; 225m 246yds/ 100g) or use any DK yarn as substitute; shown in colour “dioptase (AL5)”

Gauge: 24 stitches and 28 rows = 10cm (4in) in pattern stitch, unblocked

Needles: Gauge-size circular needles; gauge-size needle of your preferred type to knit the crown with ; two cable needles

For reference: A 3.25 mm/ US 3 size circular needle (50cm 19in length) was used for the cast on and first two rows, a 4mm/ US 6 size needle (80mm 31.4in length) was used for the main beanie and 4mm/ US 6 size double pointed needles were used to knit the crown

Construction notes: The beanie is knitted in the round with a cable stitch pattern