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This updated and slightly modified version of the original Dancing Adélies hat first appeared in the book, ‘Knitting in Antarctica: 28 Beautiful Hat Patterns and Stories of Life on the Ice’, 2018 (L Hamann, C Powell). One of the most popular patterns from the book, it now includes three sizes and instructions on making the tassel.

This beanie style hat starts with a short 2x2 ribbing brim, knitted with a smaller needle. Switching to the larger needle, the first of two Latvian braids are made (instructions included). A charted, stranded colorwork penguin panel creates the body of the hat and the second Latvian Braid frames the top of the panel. Regular k2tog decreases shape the crown. It can be finished with a tassel or pom pom, if desired. Illustrated instructions for the tassel are included.

Skills required: long tail cast on, slip stitch, knit, purl, stranded colorwork, anchoring floats, k2tog, working on DPNs or Magic Loop technique (on a longer cable).

Sized to fit older children, teens and adults: S (M, L)
Fits head sizes: 19-20 (21-22, 23-24) inches / 48-51 (53-56, 58-61) cm

Gauge: 21 sts = 4 inch / 10 cm in stranded colorwork, wet blocked
row gauge is not vital in this pattern.

Yarn:
5 colors of DK / 8 ply / light worsted weight yarn (amounts are given in grams so you may use partial skeins in your stash). One 50 gram ball of each color is more than enough to complete the largest size.

Color A (teal): 30 grams
Color B (taupe): 10 grams
Color C (white): 30 grams
Color D (black): 20 grams
Color E (light blue): scant, 4 grams (approx 10 yd / 9 m)

Rather than providing specific yarn brands for this project, if you have the correct weight of yarn and meet the gauge requirements, you can have a good result.

Note: 100% wool yarn (non-superwash) or a blend of wool and another animal fiber is recommended for stranded colorwork.

Tools / Notions:
US size 6 4mm, 16 inch 40cm circular needle*
US size 7 4.5mm, 16 inch 40cm circular needle*
US size 7 4.5mm DPN set* (or longer cable for Magic Loop)
or size needed to obtain gauge

Stitch markers: 1 center marker + 7 (8, 9), tapestry needle, scissors, pom pom (optional)