Winter in Taos means snow (in good years) and the fun of sliding down the slopes whichever way we want to. The slanting lines on this slouchy evoke the slopes of our lovely mountains, the Sangre de Cristos, the southern extension of the great Rocky Mountain chain. The slip stitch stripes are reminiscent of Stephen West’s classic Metalouse shawl pattern and worked in a similar way. Using a slightly fatter yarn for the contrasting color helps the stripes be more prominent.

Finished size
This is designed as a slouchy hat. The pattern includes instructions for adult small-medium, and adult medium-large.

All measurements are on unblocked and unstretched hats, and will vary with the yarn used. For the hat at right:
• Height – about 8” / 9”
• Circumference – about 19” / 21.5”

To make a slightly bigger or smaller hat, use bigger or smaller needles and yarn.

Needles Adjust the needle size to get gauge
16” circular needles in size 8 and 9
4 double-pointed needles in size 9

Yarn & Yardage

• Main color (MC) – one hank of worsted to light bulky weight yarn (about 175 to 200 yards/100 g).
• Contrasting color (CC) – one hank of bulky yarn (about 100 to 150 yards/100 g)

Ellen’s hat is knit in Noro Rikka (MC) and Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky (CC).

Gauge
In stockinette stitch with size 9 needles and MC (using Noro Rikka)
14 stitches and 10 rows in 4”

Thanks to my models Ellen, Sonrisa and Nicole. And thanks to Omnihum Gallery in Taos, New Mexico, for lending its space for a photo shoot.