I designed this hat for my son this October. He requested a wool hat with skulls on it to wear at his cross country meets. He also asked that I add in some lightning bolts in honor of his team’s name the “North Shore Storm.” I love this season of harvest, of darkness and of letting go with the new year on our horizon. I get kind of an expecting-mama’s burst of energy this time of year, scurrying around cooking, cleaning and making all the things, so I was happy to oblige his request for this speedy, spooky knit - just in time for Halloween!

The Skull and Stormy hat begins with a brief section of 1x1 rib stitch and is knitted from the brim up. The colorwork pattern does have longer floats. For spans of color any longer than 4 sts, I recommend trapping your floats.

Yarn
Harrisville Designs DK Weight (Woolen Spun, American Cormo & Wool 250 yards / 229 meters)

• Main Color - Nightshades, Dashboard 1 skein.
• Contrast Color - Daylights, Chirp 1 skein. OR Approximately 125 yards / 114 meters in Main Color. Approximately 33 yards / 30 meters in Contrast Color.

Gauge 20 stitches and 26 rounds= 4” / 10 cm in both Stockinette Stitch & Colorwork Pattern on larger needles.

Suggested Needles*
US Size 5 / 3.75 mm circular needle, 16” / 40 cm length for the ribbing.
US Size 6 / 4 mm 16” / 40 cm length for the hat body.
Double pointed needles of the same sizes suitable for small circumference knitting for the crown decreases.
Always choose the needle size that you need in order to obtain the pattern’s gauge.

Sizes
One Size - Approximately 19”/ 48.25 cm circumference and 9” / 23 cm tall, unstretched. Recommended 2-2.5” / 5-6.5 cm negative ease for a snug fit. Fits an average adult head, about 21-21.5” / 53-54.5 cm.

Notions

• 1 Stitch marker to mark BOR
• Highlighter Tape (optional - to keep your place in the pattern)
• Measuring Tape
• Tapestry Needle
• Pompom maker
• Wool Wash and Blocking Mat

Techniques Used

• Long Tail Cast On Method
• Knitting in the Round on a Circular Needle
• K2TOG Decreasing
• Small Circumference Knitting in the Round
• Stranded Colorwork Knitting