Brilliant, unusual and very fun construction. The pattern assembles vertically instead of traditional horizontal method. Uses short rows to create a ribbed brim at the same time you are knitting the body of the hat. The pattern is super easy to memorize; very easy to put down and then pick up again and go forward.

The hat itself is slouchy and the zig zags give the fabric a slight twist and pleat that makes the hat fit really nicely. You can scrunch it up on your head or let it fall to the back.

Blocking notes: Probably not necessary to block, but I made a little snowflake design at the crown and wanted the yarn to “memorize” it, so I very lightly blocked. Because the crown decrease goes from 68 stitches to 8 in just 4 rows you can be very playful about how to arrange that dumpling-like gather at top :-)

I really recommend a softer, squishier yarn like the one that the designer, Tanja, suggests in the pattern notes. I used a suitable yarn mainly for its ivory color but this is the first Elsebeth Lavold yarn that I don’t love. Blend of wool, camel & alpaca; great stitch definition but far too many alpaca guard hairs.

Thanks Tanja for converting your Zig Zag Hat into a knitting pattern from a crocheted one! I learned a lot from your construction methods :-)