The Marrakech Hat uses interlocking or interweave crochet to create a colourwork motif reminiscent of Islamic graphic design. This makes the hat completely reversible, so you can switch up which side of the pattern you wish to show to the world.

This design is available in yarnpeople Issue 2: Brioche + as well as the Kiku Corner Ravelry Store.

This hat is made in the round using the interlocking crochet technique.

Interlocking crochet creates a reversible fabric. The wrong side of hat shows the same motif, turned at a 90-degree angle, in reversed colours.

This technique uses 2 colours to create the repeating motif, but is worked only with one colour at a time.

After Round 3, always work yarn into the same colour st from the round below, i.e. MC yarn into MC stitches, and CC yarn into CC stitches.

The motif emerges after Round 4. To swatch for this project in the round, simply cast on a multiple of 8 sts + 4 sts and work Rounds 1-8 of pattern.

To make a flat swatch, DO NOT TURN WORK, always crochet the row from right to left, with the right side facing. Bring yarn from the left-hand side of work to the right-hand side of work leaving a long, loose strand at the back.

To adjust the height of the hat, work more or fewer repeats of Rounds 5-8, finishing with a final repeat of Round 5. This will adjust the height in 4 cm / 1.5” increments.

To adjust the circumference of the hat, cast on a multiple of 8 stitches more or fewer. This will adjust the circumference in 4.5 cm / 1.75” increments.

Level of Difficulty:
Intermediate

Sizing:
Adult, but instructions to change circumference and hat height

Yarn:
Main Colour (MC): 175 m / 191 yds of DK weight yarn

Sample shown in 1 skein of Shed Chetwyn Farms Blend (DK weight; 182 m / 90 g; 80% Alpaca, 10% Merino, 10% Silk) in “Cinnamon Toast Twist”

Contrasting Colour: 150 m / 164 yds of DK weight yarn

Sample shown in 1 skein of Shed Chetwyn Farms 100% Alpaca (DK weight; 274 m / 110 g; 100% Alpaca) in “Pippa”

Hook:
4.5 mm / US 7 or size required to obtain gauge

Notions:
Locking stitch markers
Tapestry needle

Techniques and Resources:
DOUBLE CROCHET IN BACK (DCIB) A video tutorial can be found at http://bit.ly/Issue2_MarrakechHat.

DOUBLE CROCHET IN FRONT (DCIF) A video tutorial can be found at http://bit.ly/Issue2_MarrakechHat.

DOUBLE CROCHET IN BACK – DOUBLE CROCHET IN FRONT 2 TOGETHER (DCIB-DCIF2tog)
Step 1: Yo, insert hook in next st as if to DCIB. Yo and pull up a loop.
Step 2: Yo and pull through 2 loops. – 2 loops on hook
Step 3: Yo and insert hook in next st as if to DCIF. Yo and pull up 1 loop. – 4 loops on hook
Step 4: Yo and pull through 2 loops. – 3 loops on hook
Step 5: Yo and pull through 3 loops. – 1 st dec’d

DOUBLE CROCHET IN FRONT 2 TOGETHER (DCIF2tog)
Step 1: Yo and insert hook in next st as if to DCIF. Yo and pull up 1 loop.
Step 2: Yo and pull through 2 loops. – 2 loops on hook
Step 3: Yo and insert hook in next st as if to DCIF. Yo and pull up a loop.
Step 4: Yo and pull through 2 loops. – 3 loops on hook
Step 5: Yo and pull through 3 loops. – 1 st dec’d