My orchids are flowering in the winter this year for the first time, and have produced one of the most beautiful flowers. I feel this quote captures their essence beautifully and is what I wished to share with this design.

“The orchid grows where others cannot enduring the hardships of hunger and thirst, and is loosely tied to the things that support it. And, even with all the difficulty of its life, the orchid graces the world with beautiful colour and rare fragrance. This is like the life of the true gentleman, who sets himself to learn self-discipline, and whose character shines no matter where he is or what he experiences.” Confucius, quote features the translation by Johnathon Steffan, found here https://nossa.org.au/2014/07/04/confucius-thoughts-on-orc...

Materials:

• One 4mm / US size 6 circular needle, 40cm / 16” in length, or size needed to meet the required gauge.
• One 3.5mm / US size 4 circular needle, 40cm / 16” in length, or two US sizes smaller than needle size used to obtain gauge.
• One 4mm / US size 6 circular needle, at least 80cm / 32” in length for magic loop or one set of 4mm / US size 6 DPNs, or size needed to meet the required gauge.
• Optional: One stitch marker to mark the beginning of round.
• Tapestry needle for sewing in threads and blocking materials.
• Worsted weight yarn in two colours, approximately 70m (74m, 91m, 98m) / 77yds (81yds, 100yds, 107yds) of the main colour and approximately 30m (35m, 41m, 45m) / 33yds (38yds, 45yds, 49yds) of the contrast colour for the short crown.
Worsted weight yarn in two colours, approximately 80m (86m, 106m, 114m) / 87yds (94yds, 116yds, 125yds) of the main colour and approximately 35m (40m, 48m, 52m) / 38yds (44yds, 52yds, 57yds) of the contrast colour for the tall crown. The sample is worked in Malabrigo Rios - 100% Superwash Merino Wool, 192m / 210yds per 100g, in colourway Libra (Contrast Colour) and Elle Merino 100% superwash merino wool, 100m / 109yds per 100g in colourway and Ivory (Main Colour).
• Optional: Pom pom. Sample pom pom is a TOFT Alpaca pom pom, approximately 11cm / 4.5” in diameter, shown in colour Magenta.

Gauge:

22 stitches and 30 rows = 10cm / 4” in stranded knitting, worked in the round and blocked. Working to gauge ensures that your knitted item’s size and yardage match those stated in the pattern.

Size:

Four sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4) – 38cm (41cm, 51cm, 55cm) / 15” (16”, 20”, 21.5”) in circumference, measured at the widest part of the hat. The hat with a short (tall) crown measures 19cm (22cm) / 7.5” (8.5”) from the crown to cast on edge. The hat is intended to be worn with 7.5cm – 12.5cm / 3” – 5” negative ease.