The Fibre Co. Cumbria Fingering lends itself perfectly to winter accessories. With a healthy 328 yards per 100 gram skein, there is plenty of yardage to create a classic hat or pair of mittens. (I’m also scheming up a pair of boot socks…)

In honor of the newest fabulous addition to the Fibre Co. lineup, I knit this simple hat using just 1 skein of Cumbria Fingering in the perfect charcoal grey, Hadrian’s Wall. The simple stockinette is broken up by thin garter stripes, adding a bit of texture to the otherwise simple, classic hat. Enjoy! – KGO

SPECIFICATIONS

DESIGNER: Kate Gagnon Osborn
YARN: The Fibre Co. Cumbria Fingering (90% wool, 10% mohair; 328 yds/100 gm skein): hadrian’s wall, 1 skein.
GAUGE: 26 sts + 34 rnds = 4” (10 cm) in St st on larger ndls, after blocking. 
NEEDLES: 1 – 16” (40 cm) US 1 (2.25 mm) circular. 1 – 16” (40 cm) US 3 (3.25 mm) circular. 1 – set US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs.
NOTIONS: Tapestry needle, stitch marker.
SIZE: 19″ (48.5 cm) circumference, 11.75″ (29.75 cm) height. 
SKILLS: Knitting, purling, decreasing

ABBREVIATIONS
For a list of commonly used abbreviations, please visit: kelbournewoolens.com/abbreviations.

WORTHY OF NOTE

This hat is worked from the bottom up in the round. It begins with a K2, P2 ribbing, then the body is worked in a simple garter stripe. Decreases are worked to shape the crown. Unless otherwise noted, slip markers as you come to them.

STITCH PATTERNS

K2, P2, RIBBING (In the rnd over a mult of 4):
Rnd 1: *K2, p2; rep from * around.
Rep Rnd 1 for patt.

GARTER STRIPE (in the rnd):
Rnd 1: Purl all sts.
Rnds 2-11: Knit all sts.
Rep Rnds 1-11 for patt.

DIRECTIONS

BRIM:
Using smaller ndls, CO 124 sts. Join for working in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts. PM indicating beg of rnd. Work in K2, P2, Ribbing for 2″ (5 cm). 

BODY: 
Change to larger ndls. Knit 6 rnds. Work Rnds 1-11 of Garter Stripe 4 times, then Rnds 1-6 once more. 

CROWN:
Maintaining Garter Stripe, work crown decreases as follows:
Rnd 1 (Dec): *K29, k2tog; rep from * around – 120 sts.
Rnd 2: Knit all sts.
Rnd 3: Knit all sts.
Rnd 4 (Dec): *K13, k2tog; rep from * around – 112 sts.
Rnd 5: Knit all sts.
Rnd 6: Purl all sts.
Rnd 7 (Dec): *K12, k2tog; rep from * around – 104 sts.
Rnd 8: Knit all sts.
Rnd 9 (Dec): *K11, k2tog; rep from * around  – 96 sts.
Rnd 10: Knit all sts.
Rnd 11 (Dec): *K10, k2tog; rep from * around  – 88 sts. 
Rnd 12: Knit all sts.
Rnd 13 (Dec): *K9, k2tog; rep from * around  – 80 sts. 
Rnd 14: Knit all sts.
Rnd 15 (Dec): *K8, k2tog; rep from * around  – 72 sts. 
Rnd 16: Knit all sts.
Rnd 17 (Dec): *P7, k2tog; rep from * around  – 64 sts. 
Rnd 18: Knit all sts.
Rnd 19 (Dec): *K6, k2tog; rep from * around  – 56 sts. 
Rnd 20: Knit all sts.
Rnd 21 (Dec): *K5, k2tog; rep from * around  – 48 sts. 
Rnd 22: Knit all sts.
Rnd 23 (Dec): *K4, k2tog; rep from * around  – 40 sts. 
Rnd 24 (Dec): *K3, k2tog; rep from * around  – 32 sts.
Rnd 25 (Dec): *K2, k2tog; rep from * around  – 24 sts. 
Rnd 26 (Dec): *K1, k2tog; rep from * around  – 16 sts. 
Rnd 27 (Dec): *K2tog; rep from * around  – 8 sts. 

FINISHING:
Break yarn, leaving a 8″ (20.25 cm) tail. Thread through live sts 2-3 times, pull taut, fasten off. Weave in Cast on end. Soak in cool water and wool wash an lay flat to dry. 

Sidenote: The sweater is amazing, yes? It was knit by Kathleen Meehan and purchased directly from her out of her home in Kilcar Ireland. I spoke briefly about Kathleen and her amazing home and handknits on our post about our trip to Donegal here. If you, too, follow the sign and pay her a visit, tell her we said hello.