Bare branches hat by Elizabeth Felgate

Bare branches hat

Knitting
February 2018
Sport (12 wpi) ?
27 stitches and 49 rows = 4 inches
in main pattern
US 4 - 3.5 mm
US 2½ - 3.0 mm
191 - 257 yards (175 - 235 m)
Age 4-adult S: 44cm/17 ¼ in circ. & 20cm/7 ¾ in length, Adult M: 48cm/19 in circ & 22.75cm/9 in length, Adult L: 52cm/20 ¼ in circ & 23.25/9 ¼ in length
English
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The wind has long since taken every leaf. Now is the time of bare branches, skeleton trees and the shivering of yellowed grass. Time to pull on a hat made with a fabric of luxurious, weather proof depth. Huddle under it until the shapes it draws on its surface are suddenly prescient of new spring growth.

This hat is designed for two colours of sportweight yarn with good contrast and would be ideal for one one plain and one variegated yarn.

Pattern contains
Pattern is fully written out and charted.

Sizes
Choose a size approx. 7-10 cm (3 ½ -4 in) less than your actual head size for a snug fit. Shown modelled with 8cm/3 in negative ease.

Finished sizes:

Age 4-adult S: 44cm/17 ¼ in circ. & 20cm/7 ¾ in length
Adult M: 48cm/19 in circ & 22.75cm/9 in length
Adult L: 52cm/20 ¼ in circ & 23.25/9 ¼ in length

Length is with rib fully turned back (so is adjustable; but details on how to lengthen also provided)

Shown in age 4-adult S on a head circ. of 21in/53cm (also shown modelled on me on project page (I have same size head but maybe a cm deeper crown)

Needles:
3.5mm (US 4) circular needle or correct needle size to achieve gauge and a needle 0.5-1mm (1-2 US sizes) smaller for the ribbing. You can use DPNS if you prefer. Pattern assumes magic loop, but you may substitute your preferred method for small circumference knitting when decreasing the crown.

I used smaller needles as I am a looser that average knitter.

Gauge:
27 sts to 10cm/4in to pattern st
and 49 rows over 10cm/4 in over pattern st. 25 sts to 10cm/4in over stockinette

Skills required:
Knitting in the round
decreasing
slipping stitches
cabling without a needle (method explained)

Notions

tapestry needle to weave in ends.

Yarn and yardage
Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino Tonals (or similar sport weight yarn).
1 (1,2) ball of peppermint for colour A (see pattern notes on options for requiring just 1 ball for the large).
1, (1,1) balls of leaf for colour B

Age 4-adult S: 175m/190yds
Adult M: 210m/230yds
Adult L: 235m/255yds