Amongst all the Christmas knits, this one’s for me! I’ve been looking forward to knitting this tam and it’s definitely delivered: lovely clear instructions with a great result. The yarn is wonderful from Julie: ethically sourced from sheep which graze in the area around where she lives on the Black Isle in Scotland. I’m hoping to work my way through all her yarns! It’s softer than Istex Lopi, and has more variation in the colour - touches of a darker grey run through the skeins.

No mods to the pattern, but I’ve (cable) cast on for the M (child) size, then morphed into the adult size from then on. I really like a tightish fit around my head; there’s always some give with wool, and I’d rather block it bigger if necessary than end up with a loose-fitting hat. Also you end up with a little peak at cast-off: I really like this and didn’t want to try to block it out!