Orav is a beanie-style hat — or a “toque” if you’re Canadian — knitted from the brim up. It incorporates a Vikkel twisted stitch pattern that Aleks’ grandmother Hilja used on a vest she knit for husband Harri. This stitch pattern has been paired with some more textured stitches, such as Double Seed Stitch and a twisted stitch plait braid. The hat feels like a heritage knit that could be worn in the woods of Canada or Estonia — Hilja’s two home countries — while looking out for squirrels, which the pattern is named after.

SIZE

1 (2, 3) 

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS 
Head circumference: 18 (20, 22)“ / 45.5 (51, 56) cm. 
Hat depth (adjustable): 8” / 20 cm.

YARN

Les Garçons British DK (70% Bluefaced Leicester Wool, 30% Masham Wool, 365 yds / 333 m – 100 g).
1 skein of Aleks’ Red Squirrel Friend.
Or the following amounts of DK-weight yarn:
153 (168, 186) yds / 140 (153, 170) m.

NEEDLES

• US 3 / 3.25 mm – 16” / 40 cm and 32” / 80 cm circular needles for ribbing.
• US 5 / 3.75 mm – 16” / 40 cm DPNs for hat body and crown.

For more information, see: https://www.aleks-byrd.com/