The central pattern of this hat is often found on baskets and hats made by Northern California native tribes, especially the Yurok, Karuk and Hupa groups along the Klamath River. I’ve seen it called Waxpoo in various sources, but the meaning of the word isn’t known. I include my sources at the end of the pattern.

I have two charts in this pattern. One is just the central design outlined by a snake pattern, which is the one I knitted for my sample. The other chart is more complex with additional designs for the border and crown.

I usually do stranded knitting because I like the thickness of the fabric it produces, and I also like the ghost or shadow of colors peeking through from the inside of the hat. However, this hat can also be knit using intarsia if that is your preference. You can also opt to do part of the design in duplicate stitch if you like, and if you want to carry fewer colors of yarn across the rows.