A plaid hat is just the thing for fall, and this easy tartan method requires no stranding and produces a graphic result. The horizontal colors are knit as stripes using one color at a time per row in a wide rib, then the vertical stripes are added at the end with a crochet hook in the purl columns; no crochet skills are needed – it’s as simple as picking up dropped stitches. Mix and match your colors with the cowl and mitts for an eye-catching accessories set.

The Tartania Hat is available as part of the Hail, Tartania! ebook collection, which includes the Tartania Cowl, hat and fingerless mitts for $6.00.
If you are using Malabrigo Merino Worsted, you should be able to make all three accessories with a total of 3 skeins, one in each color, if you use a different MC for each as in the sample photographs.

Techniques & Skills Used: knit/purl, decreasing, knitting in the round; this pattern includes written instructions, as well as a chart for the plaid; a video tutorial is provided for the non-stranded plaid technique.

Size S/M (M/L): 17.5 (20)” circumference, unstretched; knit in a soft and unstructured yarn, this hat will easily fit approximately 20-22 (22-24)” head circumference; size M/L shown on 22” head.

Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted (100% Merino; 210 yards/100g); 1 skein MC, 1 skein CC1, 1 skein CC2. Shown in MC Cadmium, CC1 Hollyhock and CC2 Tortuga, and using approximately (50) 55, 10 and 10 grams respectively. A soft and lofty yarn is recommended for stretch and slouchiness.

Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) 16” circular needle and dpns, or 32”circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (1); Size I/9 (5.5mm) crochet hook; Yarn needle.

Gauge: 16 st and 24 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; 16 st and 32 rows/4” in garter stitch, after blocking. One plaid repeat of 10 st and 12 rows is 2.5” wide and 2” tall.

Thank you to my wonderful tech editor Kate Vanover.
For questions or to show off your tartan, visit my Ravelry group The Knitting Vortex.