The Semaphore Signal Hat is one of six patterns in issue six of John Arbon Textiles’ in house magazine, The Annual.

There are kits available for this pattern.

The Semaphore Signal Hat’s chevron band harks back to the manual signal posts of the early railways, which are still in use on some lines today.

This playful hat can be knitted in any 4ply of your choice and is perfect in Devonia, Knit by Numbers or Devon Naturals. The chevron offers plenty of opportunities for customisation, making it truly your own.

Beginning with a provisional cast-on, the chevron band is worked flat and then joined to form the circumference. Stitches are then picked up along both edges to work the rest of the hat, which can be finished with a tassel. It’s a great little beanie for travel
or any other adventure!

Yarn
Four-colour version with four-colour band:
MC: 30 (30, 40, 50)g
CC1: 5 (5, 5, 5)g
CC2: 5 (5, 5, 5)g
CC3: 5 (5, 5, 5)g
Plus 5g for tassel (optional)

Devonia - (4ply; 388m / 424yd per 100g)
Sample shown is size 4 in Moon Bloom (MC), Bleeding Heart (CC1), Snow Ash (CC2), Broken Flower (CC3)

Four-colour version with three-colour band:
MC: 25 (30, 40, 50)g
CC1: 5 (5, 10, 10)g
CC2: 5 (5, 5, 5)g
CC3: 5 (5, 5, 5)g
Plus 5g for tassel (optional)

Knit by Numbers - (4ply; 400m / 437yd per 100g)
Sample shown is size 3 in KBN74 (MC), KBN76 (CC1), KBN47
(CC2), KBN46 (CC3)

Two-colour version with two-colour band:
MC: 35 (40, 45, 55)g
CC1: 5 (5, 5, 5)g
Plus 5g for tassel (optional)

Devon Naturals - (4ply; 400m / 437yd per 100g)
Sample shown is size 3 in Bertie (MC) and Gladys (CC1)

Sizes
Toddler (child, small adult, large adult)

Finished Measurements
a - Hat circumference: 45.5 (50, 54.5, 60)cm / 18 (19.75, 21.5, 23.5)”
b - Hat depth: 16 (18.5, 20.5, 22.5)cm / 6.25 (7.25, 8, 8.75)”
Designed to be worn with about 2cm / 0.75” of negative ease.

Gauge
Measured over Stocking Stitch pattern using larger needles, after blocking: 27 sts x 36 rows/rnds = 10cm / 4” square

After 1-st pick-ups for hat body and brim, 17-st chevron band width = 4cm / 1.5”

Needles
Circular knitting needles suitable for working small circumferences in the round:
2.75mm (UK 12 / US 2)
2.25mm (UK 13 / US 1)

Always use a needle size that results in the correct gauge after blocking.

Pattern Notes
This hat is designed to be worked in either two or four total colours. The colourwork band for the four-colour version can be worked in either three or four colours.

Beginning with a provisional cast-on, the band is worked flat on the bias and then joined using the three-needle method. At the upper selvedge of the chevron band, stitches are picked up using the hat’s main colour and the hat body is worked in the round in Stocking Stitch. The body of the hat is then decreased into a spiral crown, to which an optional tassel can be added. At the lower selvedge of the chevron band, stitches are picked up using the main colour and a ribbed brim is worked in the round.

Designed as a fitted hat, the circumference can be adjusted by
changing the length of the chevron band (two repeats of Chart A equals 1.5cm / 0.5”; stitches picked up from the band for the hat body should be a multiple of eight). If you prefer a slouchier hat,
work extra rounds of the hat body before beginning the crown. Size adjustments will affect yarn usage.

The Annual (issue six)
This pattern is currently only available in print or digital. Pick up a print copy of our Annual here.