At this time of year (Autumn) swallows gather in flocks (or ‘gulps’) and prepare to set off for somewhere warmer. I shall look forward to their return in the Spring. I’ve used the Flying Swallows design to remind me of that optimistic thought and incorporated it into a beanie pattern!

The pattern uses 2 yarns, a plain/semi solid and a handpainted yarn. I’m particularly interested in making patterns for this type of yarn as it’s one I love dyeing.

There are 3 size options and two weights of yarn suggested in the pattern. The Aran weight variation uses a full cable rib section and the DK version uses quicker, false cable. Subject to successful swatching you could swap the two rib styles.

I have knitted the beanie with approx 40g of yarn for the multicoloured section. The striped section for the crown can be varied to more or fewer stripes depending on the amount of variegated yarn you have available. The important feature of the crown is the shaping.

The pattern includes:

• technique note on how to avoid twisting when joining work to knit in the round
• (optional) photo tutorial for ‘Flying Swallows’ pattern at end of the pattern, to save on printing.
• full written instructions for the Flying Swallows’ pattern.