This hat is a great way to use up those scraps and skein-ends in your stash that are too small to make anything out of all by themselves! For a many-color version, as shown in the photos, you only need about 2 yards of any given color for each color repetition, about 25 yards for crown and brim color. For a simpler 3-color version, you will need about 40 yards of each color, and about twice that for the crown color. Don’t be intimidated by the color-work: this stitch pattern is deceptively simple with no strands to carry! Watching the pattern develop with each repeat of the 12-row color sequence makes for an endlessly surprising, fascinating and delightful display, like a kaleidoscope. A fun and rewarding knit if you like to explore color and get creative. The dense stitch pattern and shaping make this hat extra warm in cold and windy conditions. Great for skiing, sailing, watching a hockey game, or anywhere you really want to stay warm and comfy in very cold weather.

Pattern includes Appendices detailing yarn-over short rows, provisional cast-on methods, a photo tutorial on making a tassle, and templates and instruction for the optional sewn-in liner.

Pattern is given for three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large.
S = 20” or 51cm; M = 21: or 53.5cm; L = 23: or 58.5cm. Suggested negative ease = 1”.

Yarn: DK to worsted weight, about 150 - 160 yds. Amounts: for a 3-color version, 80 yards color “A”, 40 yards each of colors “B” and “C”. For an up-to-8-color version: 60 yards color “A”, and about 20 yards each of the other selected colors, or fewer yards each if using a higher number of different colors.

Materials needed:

• Needles: 1 circular needle #4 (3.5mm), or other size to achieve gauge
• A second circular needle in the same size if required for provisional cast-on
• 1 set of 4 or 5 double pointed needles in same size
• For version “B”, 1 smaller circular needle size US #3 (3.0 mm) for ribbing
• 3 stitch markers
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle
• Stretchy lining fabric if doing version “A”
• Crochet hook if doing crochet provisional cast-on

Gauge in stitch pattern = 5 sts/inch

Skills:

• Knitting in the round
• Short rows
• slip stitch
• provisional cast-on (version “A” only)
• sewn in lining (optional, version “A” only)