Meet your new summer sidekick, the Solar Flair - a lightweight, breathable 100% linen sunhat, because sun protection should never come at the cost of coolness (in every sense). With its stable brim and breezy stripes, this hat is casual enough for beach days, market strolls, and spontaneous naps in dappled sunlight. It is a single bed pattern (no ribber required!) written for the standard gauge (4.5mm) knitting machine.

The Solar Flair is knit sideways in one piece, with shaping developed through a series of strategically placed short rows. The edge is finished with a wide i-cord, through which you’ll thread millinery wire for added structure and shape. The hat is joined in the round with Kitchener stitch.

This is a one size pattern, designed to fit an average adult-sized head with a 22” (56cm) circumference. The finished hat has about 2” (5cm) of negative ease. Please refer to the last page for a detailed measurement schematic, along with some tips on how to adjust the fit, if needed.

The pattern includes a variety of subtle yet striking details that offer a great opportunity to practice different machine knitting techniques:

• Sideways Knitting
• Short Rows with Eyelets
• Wide I-Cord Edging
• Kitchener Stitch
• Functional E-Wrapping
• Symmetrically Balanced Partial Knit Stripes

This pattern is a 13 page PDF with detailed instructions, including technique explanations, some step-by-step photo tutorials, and full-color charts to guide you through the short row shaping. Within the pattern you will also find a detailed schematic with hat measurements.

The recommended yarn is Linen 7 from Silk City Fibers, 100% linen yarn.

This yarn is sold on cones and averages out to approximately 193 yards (177 meters) per 50 grams of linen. The finished hat weighs approximately 135 grams.

The yarn requirements are:

Star Pattern (version 1):
     MC1: 65 grams
     MC2: 35 grams
     I-Cord: 15 grams
     Hat Band: 15 grams

Tricolor Stripes (version 2):
     MC1: 50 grams
MC2: 38 grams
     CC: 18 grams
     I-Cord: 15 grams
     Hat Band: 15 grams

Or select an equivalent yarn that knits up to the specified gauge of 34 stitches and 46 rows over 4” (10cm). The Solar Flair Sunhat also works well when knit in a solid color (although it will take more concentration). Try adding placed eyelets for more visual interest - there are plenty of creative options!

The notion requirements are:

Approximately 2 Yards/Meters of Millinery Wire (18 gauge (1.02mm) spring steel wire works best - look for a “sprung” option) as well as a plastic or metal millinery wire joiner, or heat and shrink tubing, or a needle and thread to secure the ends of the wire.

Pattern Rating: Advanced Beginner/Intermediate

I’d love to see what you knit! Use #solarflairsunhat on Instagram and tag me @rebeccayaker