This is a pattern for knitting a warm, lined hat featuring a row of jolly Indian Runner ducks, inspired by my own loveable quackers!

The hat starts with a provisional crochet cast on, and the lining is knitted first starting with a couple of inches of ear-hugging rib, then plain stocking stitch as far as the inner crown shaping. The provisional cast on is then unraveled and the resulting live stitches are picked up and the stranded colourwork chart is followed for the outer hat. When the outer hat is finished, and all ends secured and woven in, the crown shaping of the inner lining will be completed.

The optional addition of beads, will add an extra splash of colour.

YARN: For the outer hat, I used Heatherlea Black Cheviot 4 ply 100% wool in the following colours: White, Shadow, and Grey Mouse. I only used approximately 20g of White, 10g of Grey Mouse, and 30g of Shadow, so if you purchase a 100g ball each of White, Grey Mouse, and Shadow, you should have enough for two hats, with some left over. The link to the website for purchasing this beautiful yarn is: https://blackcheviot.com/

The lining takes 50g of a bright contrast 4ply yarn which will just peek out beneath the edge of the hat. Leftovers from other projects could be utilised here. The lining yarn could be knit together with a strand of kid silk if desired, for extra fluffiness.

The hat measures approximately 8 1/2 inches from top of crown to brim, and the circumference is 20 inches, stretching easily to 24 inches. There is plenty of negative ease because of the way the hat is constructed, with the provisional cast on: there is no tight cast on edge. The hat fits my 22 1/2 inch head, and easily stretches to fit my Other Half’s larger head.