I worked up this slouchy hat for a friend fighting breast cancer. To protect her privacy, I named it after her cat - a sweet, sly thing who has helped to keep her spirits up. I am offering the pattern for free in the hopes that others will also make it as a gift for someone in need.

Meryton is an excellent cardigan to wear over a close-fitting top. It provides enough extra coverage to give you more outfits to wear to work or school, and it keeps the chill off your shoulders for a walk through town. That, plus the empire waste, suggested the Austen-inspired name.

Hemp fiber is an ideal match for Texas summers, when temperatures regularly hang out at 103 (39.5 Celsius). It’s tough and lightweight; it softens to the touch after a good wash; and it has a memory to rival that of wool. Unfortunately, hemp isn’t a fiber that gets a lot of design support outside of market bags and washcloths. What’s needed are...

The Magknits version has errata. The Ravelry download has been corrected.