This digital download contains instructions for knitting your own Skystone Hat, plus resources for recolouring the design to reflect a different inspiration than the one used here (which was a pinecone). 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 Skystone Hat

My Skystone motif grew out of an interest in inspiration sources which feature organic, varying shapes arranged in some sort of loose order: pebbles on the beach; puffs of cloud in the sky; flints and moss on an old wall; sprinklings of flowers in the grass; chunks of granite sealed in tarmac… anything and everything that features lots of differently-sized pieces and a rich range of colours. Inspiration sources like this can be found everywhere: this pattern offers a template for turning them into a hat. The motif fits with the rhythmic structure of stranded colourwork but also suggests random shapes of different sizes.

You may enjoy this post, which features the tree that inspired this colourway for the design!

Credits

• Model: Sasha Davina

Yarn

The pattern is designed to support you in choosing a palette of your own but, should you wish to knit one like the sample, here is the yarn and the shades used: Jamieson & Smith 2ply Jumper Weight (4ply weight / fingering; 100% Real Shetland Wool; 115m / 125yards; 25g balls). 

• Yarn A: Shade FC58; 1 x 25g ball 
• Yarn B: Shade FC44; 1 x 25g ball 
• Yarn C: Shade 4; 1 x 25g ball 
• Yarn D: Shade 202; 1 x 25g ball 
• Yarn E: Shade 2; 1 x 25g ball 
• Yarn F: Shade FC43; 1 x 25g ball 
• Yarn G: Shade FC45; 1 x 25g ball 
• Yarn H: Shade 32; 1 x 25g ball

(which you can buy here)

Needles & Notions

• Gauge-size needle(s) of preferred type for working small-circumference projects in the round.
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
• (Optional) dpns for working crown decreases.
• (Optional) length of smooth, fingering-weight for
• temporarily drawing brim in during blocking process.
• (Optional) stitch marker to mark begining of each round.

Gauge

25 stitches and 32.5 rows = 10 cm over colourwork on gauge-size needle. Gauge was achieved on 2.75mm / US 2 needle.

Full instructions for working a gauge-swatch in the round to determine your needle size are included in this pattern, along with blank charts and drawings of the motif to help you with choosing your colours. 

Sizing

One Size: To fit head circumference: 56-61cm / 22-24" Hat circumference (measured around brim, unstretched): 55.25cm / 21¾" Height from cast-on edge to crown: 21cm / 8¼"

Pattern notes

The Skystone hat is worked in the round at a relaxed gauge. It is knit from the brim to the crown. Yarn is held double around the brim for working cosy ribbing. This provides maximum warmth and durability. It also means you avoid a discrepancy in the thickness of your fabric between the ribbing and colourwork sections of the hat.