There is nothing quite like the texture and warmth of handknits when there is a chill in the air. The Barra Marled Hat offers an approachable pattern light on challenge but heavy on beauty. The marled effect is created by pairing washable solid-coloured DK and a colourful sock yarn to be knit as one. Doubled yarns result in a beautiful marled look and extra warmth.

Named for the beautiful Gougane Barra National Park in west Cork, the colours I used remind me of the heather, bog cotton, and wild clover found in the park.

Barra Marled Hat

Notes: DK and sock yarn paired to knit as one. Berroco Vintage DK (Fennel 2175 colorway) and DROPS Fable (Guacamole 151 colorway) were used for the samples in this book.

Materials:

90 yards DK

90 yards sock yarn

4.0mm circular knitting needles and 5.0mm circular knitting needles

Gauge: 19sts x 22 rows per 10x10cm (4x4in)

Sizes: Premature (0-18 months, 18-36 months as shown in image, 4-6 years)

• CO 44 (66, 77, 88) stitches using both yarns held as one with long tail CO using 4mm circular knitting needles

• Join in the round

• [K3, P3] for 5 (9, 13, 13) rows

• Switch to 5mm knitting needles for the remainder of the hat.

• K all for 18 (24, 30, 36) rows

• Decrease rows:

• [K9, k2tog]

• [K8, k2tog]

• [K7, k2tog]

• [K6, k2tog]

• [K5, k2tog]

• [K4, k2tog]

• [K3, k2tog]

• [K2, k2tog]

• [K1, k2tog]

• k2tog until end of round.

• Trim yarn, leaving several inches and weave end through remaining stitches.

• Knot off top, weave end through inside of hat.

GLOSSARY:

CO = Cast on. K = knit. P = Purl. K2tog = Knit two together