This digital download contains instructions for knitting your own Shetland Muse Hat. Please note: the instructions for the colourwork portion of the hat are charted and not written out longhand; you will need to be able to read knitting charts in order to knit this design.

About Shetland Muse 

This colourwork hat draws its inspiration from the poem of the same name composed by artist and writer, Raman Mundair. The design features ocean waves, Shetland sheep, moons and magical glyphs, all worked in a warm, sunset-inspired palette. 

Shetland Muse – as its title suggests – speaks to the charismatic lure of Shetland as a place; to the many ways that these islands inspire with their textures, weather and light. As someone who has also fallen under the spell of Shetland, I couldn’t resist translating Raman’s words into the language of stitches and colour. Knit Shetland Muse in the same shades I’ve used, or from your own sheep and sunset-inspired palette.

This design was originally commissioned for, and published in, the Shetland Wool Week Annual 2019. Many thanks to the Shetland Amenity Trust for allowing me to republish it here, and to Raman Mundair for allowing the poem to appear both there and here, in the PDF. 

Credits

• Model: Lea Villanueva
• Photography: Alex Boak
• Tech-Editing: Steph Boardman
• Poem: Raman Mundair

Yarn

Jamieson & Smith 2ply Jumper Weight Yarn (100% wool; 114m / 125 yds per 25g ball).

1 ball of each of the following shades:

• Yarn A: 80 (Deep Brown)
• Yarn B: 36 (Indigo)
• Yarn C: 21 (Navy)
• Yarn D: FC37 (Bluebell)
• Yarn E: FC38 (Copper)
• Yarn F: FC7 (Coral)
• Yarn G: 90 (Goldenrod)
• Yarn H: 53 (Peach)

(which you can buy here)

Needles and Notions

• Gauge-size needle(s) of preferred type for working small-circumference projects in the round.
• Gauge-size crochet hook for provisional cast-on.
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
• Balloon or similar roundish form over which to block finished hat (or alarge dinner plate, if making a tam).
• (Optional) dpns for working crown decreases.
• (Optional) length of smooth, fingering-weight for temporarily drawing brim in while blocking.
• (Optional) stitch marker to mark begining of each round.
• Smooth, waste yarn.

Gauge

27 sts and 35 rounds to 10cm / 4in over colourwork, after blocking. Please check your tension carefully and adjust needle size accordingly. Sample knit with 2.25mm (UK13/US1) needle(s). Use your preferred needle(s) and method for working small-circumference projects in the round.

Sizing

To fit head circumference: 56-60cm / 22-23¾in.

Hat circumference (measured around brim, unstretched): 63.5cm / 26½in. 

Height from brim to crown: 21.5cm / 8½in.

Depending on your preference, this hat can be stretched and blocked over a balloon to make a slouchy shape; blocked gently for a neatly-fitting beanie; or stretched over a plate to make a tam.

Pattern notes

Shetland Muse is knitted from brim to crown in the round and begins with a provisional cast on. A lining for the headband is knit first, followed by a headband worked in decorative corrugated ribbing. The lining and headband are joined together; then the stitch count is increased and the main body of the hat is then knit from the bottom up, following the colourwork chart. Centred double-decreases shape the crown.