My first go at Chirimen. The test swatch on US 9 = 5.5 mm needles was quite loose without stitch definition - looked good as stockinette but not the reverse side. OTOH, on US 6 = 4.25 mm, the knit side was very stripy and purls on the reverse looked nice. The gauge seemed to be 4 st = 1” for both.

CO 81 on US 6, seems skimpy at 7 rows, but probably will stretch? (eta) YES, IT STRETCHES - TO 26”!. K1, P2 ribbing, since I like the purls better.

Increase row: switch to Ran vanilla color on US 8 = 5mm needes: K3, yo > 108 st (I don’t want this floppy)
Stabilize row: K3, ktbl.

Continue in pattern, st stitch, two rows of beige, three rows of Chirimen.

Impression at 2.5”: the bright colors (orange, turquoise) in the brim ribbing give way almost immediately to dull-dark ones (gray > burgundy). The brim is still quite tight. The cream alternating solid creates a pronounced stripy look, which I offset by doing 2 rows cream, 3 rows chirimen.

This is definitely an experience of letting the yarn dictate. I will probably wear it with a neutral shirt/pants and colored tank top.