Materials:

• Soft Classic Solid Yarn Loops & Threads in Clay, White, and Taupe (< 1 skein each)
• Needles #1 4.0 mm (size 6) cable and / or double pointed needles or one size smaller than #2
• Needles #2 4.5 mm (size 7) cable and / or double pointed needles or whatever size is needed for the gauge
• Needles #3 5.0 (size 8) cable and / or double pointed needles or one size larger than #2sed for hat with lining)
• Tapestry Needle
• 4-5 inch pompom

Abbreviations:
K Knit
P Purl
K2tog Knit two together
DPN double pointed needles

Gauge:
Using the #2 size needles: 17 stitches and 24 rows makes a 10 cm (3.9 inch) square. Stranding in this hat requires running the unused yarn behind your work. Make sure to keep these runs relaxed, or the hat will be too tight.

Notes:

• I recommend reading through the entire pattern before you begin.
• This pattern is written in US terms.
• To slightly increase or decrease the size of the hat, adjust the size of your needles.
• The brim of the hat is made with the #1 needles. To make the main part of the hat switch to a larger size. To make a hat WITHOUT using a lining use the #2 needles for the main part of the hat. To make a hat WITH the lining, use the #3 needles for the main part of the hat, and the #2 needles for the lining. Using a liner helps to hide messy runs. Don’t worry if your hat feels a little snug to start, as it relaxes with wear. You can stretch it overnight over a pot if you want it to speed the process.
• Throughout this knit I use a cable needle as it’s easier to keep a good tension over the stranded section this way. At the decrease I switch to 4 DPNs, splitting the stitches evenly between 3 needles and knitting with the fourth.
• Because this pattern is worked in the round, I prefer to work all stitches through the back loop as it’s quicker (for me).
• This is a challenging pattern with lots of long floats. I recommend catching your floats every 2-3 stitches, keeping a relaxed stitch, and checking you work every row to ensure you haven’t pulled it too tight. This is particularly important on the first and last white row, as you’ll be carrying three strands for these rows. Because you’re mostly hiding dark colours behind white. If you’re new to stranded knitting, you may find this easier if you select a white yarn that is slightly thicker than your dark.