Introduction
Knitting in brioche creates a beautifully thick, soft and tactile fabric – properties that we’ve taken advantage of to create this wonderfully cosy, winter beanie. Worked in two colours, this is an ideal first project for gaining confidence in working the required brioche stitches, and in two colours, without the potentially added distraction of lots of shaping or other details found in more complicated patterns. Use of a tubular cast on produces a satisfying rolling, yet stretchy beginning, from which the colour flows into an elegant swirling crown. The St Abbs Brioche Beanie is a treat for both knitter and wearer.

Skills Required
Tubular cast on (instructions provided), knit, purl, increasing and decreasing stitches, brioche knitting (instructions provided).

Materials
Two contrasting colours of Queen of Purls Citadel DK (DK; 100% superwash British Bluefaced Leicester; 225m/246 yards; 100g)
Sample is shown in Space Junk and Flowers of Sulphur.

Waste yarn: DK weight in a different colour to those for the main hat.

4mm/US size 6 circular needle with 60-80cm/24-32” cable (We’re working back and forth-not in the round-so the cable length needs to accommodate the working stitches, but can be longer.)
4 lockable stitch markers
Darning needle (plus all your usual knitting accessories e.g. row counter, scissors).

Finished Size
Finished hat circumference: 56cm/22”. This is stretchy hat so although it is knitted in one size, it will fit a range of head sizes, in the range 52-61cm/20.5-24”. Please also note that the length of the hat (before crown shaping) can be altered to fit by lengthening / shortening the number of rows worked: Instructions are provided for a beanie with and without a folded rim.

This pattern has been professionally tech edited.

** Erratum **
When shaping the crown, the tenth decrease should read:
Move markers to the 2nd, 4th, 8th and 12th sts.
Rows 1-4: As for second decrease EXCEPT make the first decrease a p2tog (not a p3tog). 9 sts
Break both yarns. Using a tapestry needle, pass C2 yarn through the 9 live stitches and secure.

Those who have bought a pattern via Ravelry will have received an update with this correction. I have included this here for those who have purchased their pattern via other sources. I am very sorry for this error and any problems it has caused.