AUTUMN LEAVES Slouchy hat
Designed by Rita Taylor

This attractive slightly slouchy beret is made with natural or dyed Gotland Double Knitting yarn and has a pretty lacy, leaf-shaped motif, with 12 leaves falling from the crown to the brim.

It is made in one size but is reasonably stretchy, so if you need to alter the size, but only by a little, just use one size larger or smaller knitting needles. If you need to alter the size upwards or downwards by more than this, you should add or remove multiples of 8 stitches to accommodate the design.

Wool requirements and needles: 100gms Blacker Yarns Gotland DK; 1 pair each of 3.75mm (US size 5) and 5.00mm (US size 8) needles, large tapestry/darning needle to sew up seam
Note: this hat uses a full 100gms, so if in doubt work the first part to 3ins (7.5cm), changing to 5mm needles at 1.5ins (3.25cm) – it will be less slouchy

Skill Level: advanced beginner, good as a starting project for lace beginners

SIZE: One size: fits approx. 21 inch, 53cm head

GAUGE/TENSION: 20sts and 24 rows to 4ins (10cm) using 5mm needles and yarn doubled

USE YARN DOUBLED THROUGHOUT (it will probably be best to stick to one colour or closely toning shades or the pattern will be lost)