Enjoyed this pattern. First time with German Twisted CO and Brioche - both fairly easy and quick to pick up. Mostly well written instuctions except Section 3 (Brioche) refers to Rounds 9 and 10. Confusing - They are actually Rounds 11 and 12 of the section (including the 2 Set Up rounds) I keep track of rounds by making a hash mark with a pencil for each section, noting each round. My count always looked off in those sections - a little confusing but not fatal.

Using aran weight yarn instead of DK - I wanted a hat with interesting textured stitches to coordinate with my Honey Cowl. My swatch was just a little bigger than pattern gauge, so I knit the small size to compensate. I also decreased repeats in the diagonal travelling rib section (S. 4), to compensate for the longer row gauge. Unblocked, it is a good fit.

• CO 88 with German Twisted cast on with 4.0 mm needles (3.75 mm was just a little too snug). Switched to 4.5 mm needles after 1at section, as per instuctions. Followed pattern, except Section 4, repeat Rnd 1-4 only 1.5 times.

Size after wet-blocking: Height - 9 in., CO edge circumference 19 in.

First time using Brioche stitch. I used the link suggested in the pattern to Nancy Marchant’s tutorials. The single colour brioche stitch was fairly easy. I like it. I’m going to try two-coloured brioche soon - maybe a scarf.

• I practised the brioche stitch on scrap yarn first.
• I wish I had used a lifeline at the start of the first brioche section. Despite practising, it is easy to lose track of stitches. I noticed errors and had to tink back a couple of rows - not fun with this grabby, splitty alpaca yarn.

Sad Update: I wore this hat all over Iceland last month. It was soft, warm and lightweight - just about perfect. In a fatigued blur of unpacking and laundry, it made its way into the washing machine. Even though it was a cold water, delicate cycle, the hat shrank and felted a little. It fits, but has lost the slouch and stitch definition that I liked.