Pattern is part of my Colorwork Hat Collection: Happy Blues, Hyphenated, Milkweed, Monarch and Succulent Garden.

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Milkweeds are herbaceous perennials celebrated for their ability to attract swarms of pollinators, including butterflies, moths, bees and wasps. More famously, milkweed is the food plant of the monarch butterfly larva. The flowers of these plants can be white, pink or orange depending on the variety. In the humid summers of the South, these flowers can be seen dotting patches of brush and skirting the pine and deciduous forests. They are always a pleasing sight! This hat design is inspired by these gorgeous plants.

SIZING

1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

To fit approx size (actual measurements are best):

3-5 Years (6-10 Years, Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large, Adult X-Large)

To fit head circumference:

19 (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)” / 47.5 (52.5, 55, 57.5, 60, 62.5) cm

Finished brim circumference:

16.25 (18, 19, 20.25, 21.25, 22.25)” / 40.5 (45, 47.5, 50.5, 53, 55.5) cm

Intended to fit somewhat loosely with 2.75-3” / 7-7.5 cm negative ease in the brim. See more sizing info in the Schematic at left.

BLOCKED GAUGE

Ribbing: 31 sts and 40 rnds = 4” / 10 cm on US 2 / 2.75 mm needles

Colorwork: 26 sts and 33 rnds = 4” / 10 cm on US 3 / 3.25 mm needles

NEEDLES

Needle size is a suggestion. Please use the needle size that achieves gauge for you.

Ribbing: Size US 2 / 2.75 mm needles: DPNs, small circ needles, 16” / 40 cm circulars, or 32” / 80 cm needles for magic loop

Main: Size US 3 / 3.25 mm needles: DPNs, small circ needles, 16” / 40 cm circulars, or 32” / 80 cm needles for magic loop

NOTIONS

1 unique BOR marker, removable marker, yarn needle

Optional: 4 (5, 5, 5, 5, 6) markers for separating chart reps

Optional: Size US G or H / 4.50 or 5.00 mm crochet hook for provisional cast-on, if preferred

Optional: Scrap yarn for CC2 (specks in the butterfly wings)

YARN

Serendipitous Wool Co Vajra Fingering (80% superwash merino, 20% nylon) 400 yards / 365 meters per 100-gram skein

OR any fingering weight yarn that achieves gauge

YARDAGE

Yardage includes a 10% buffer for slight variations in gauge.

MC yards: 141 (164, 194, 201, 236, 257)
MC meters: 129 (150, 178, 184, 216, 236)

CC1 yards: 103 (124, 124, 124, 124, 143)
CC1 meters: (95, 114, 114, 114, 114, 131)

NOTES

Please read through the entire pattern prior to starting. It is recommended to highlight each instruction for your size.

This hat is constructed from the bottom up and is worked in one piece. After working the folded ribbed brim, the body of the hat is worked with the stranded colorwork technique. A chart for the colorwork is provided. Written instructions for the chart are also included.