The bold, traditional Shetland star motifs of this glowing hat provide an opportunity to practise catching your floats. Variance Hat is the third pattern in the Confident Knitting book and is also available to buy as a single pattern from Janette’s Ravelry store.

PATTERN NOTES
This hat begins with a corrugated ribbed brim, followed by a classic stranded colourwork pattern, with peerie patterns before and after. The crown shaping echoes the main motif, with repeated decreases neatly forming a Shetland star.

SIZES
Small (Medium, Large, XL)
To fit head circumference: 45 (51, 57, 65) cm [17¾ (20, 22½, 25½) in]
Hat circumference at brim: 41.5 (50, 54, 62.5) cm [16½ (19¾, 21¼, 24½) in]
Length from brim to crown: 22.5 (22.5, 24.5, 24.5) cm [9 (9, 9½, 9½) in]
Circumference at widest point: 46.5 (55.5, 65, 74) cm [18¼ (21¾, 25½, 29¼) in]

YARN
Jamieson & Smith 2ply Jumper Weight (4ply weight/fingering; 100% Shetland wool; 115m per 25g ball)
Yarn A: Shade 101; 1 x 25g ball in all sizes
Yarn B: Shade 95; 1 x 25g ball in all sizes
Yarn C: Shade 1283; 1 x 25g ball in all sizes
Yarn D: Shade FC22; 1 x 25g ball in all sizes
Yarn E: Shade 1A; 1 x 25g ball in all sizes
Yarn F: Shade 141; 1 x 25g ball in all sizes
Yarn G: Shade FC62; 1 x 25g ball in all sizes
Yarn H: Shade FC24; 1 x 25g ball in all sizes
Approximate yardages
Yarn A: 55 (65, 85, 95) m [60 (75, 90, 105) yds]
Yarn B: 20 (20, 25, 30) m [20 (20, 25, 30) yds]
Yarn C: 20 (20, 25, 30) m [20 (20, 25, 30) yds]
Yarn D: 15 (20, 25, 25) m [20 (20, 25, 30) yds]
Yarn E: 10 (10, 15, 15) m [10 (15, 15, 20) yds]
Yarn F: 35 (40, 50, 55) m [35 (45, 55, 60) yds]
Yarn G: 30 (35, 45, 50) m [35 (40, 50, 55) yds]
Yarn H: 35 (40, 50, 60) m [40 (45, 55, 65) yds]

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS
1 set 2.5mm [US 1.5] circular needles, 40cm [16in] long (for brim), or your preferred needles for working small circumferences in the round, or size needed to match corrugated rib tension
1 set 3mm [US 2] circular needles, 40cm [16in] long (for body of hat), or your preferred needles for working small circumferences in the round, or size needed to match stranded colourwork pattern tension
1 set 3mm [US 2] double-pointed needles (for crown shaping), or your preferred needles for working small circumferences in the round, or size needed to match stranded colourwork pattern tension
Stitch marker
Tapestry needle
Pompom maker or card for making a pompom (optional)

TENSION
27 sts and 31 rounds to 10cm [4in] over stranded colourwork pattern on larger needles, after washing and blocking
24 sts and 35 rounds to 10cm [4in] over corrugated rib pattern on smaller needles, after washing and blocking

SPECIAL TECHNIQUES
A photo tutorial for catching floats is found in the pattern.
The following video tutorials can be found on our website at www.acknitwear.co.uk/confident-knitting
Catching floats with both yarns held in the right hand
Catching floats holding one yarn in each hand
Colour dominance in Fair Isle
Splicing yarns together
Knitting in ends