I’ve made this fun hat three times in our Aran style Maniototo Wool. The first was this one modelled by Finley. The main colour used was “Ram Paddock Green”. The contrast was a one-off random dyed sample colour.

Maniototo Wool Hat

This adult beanie with ridges is a useful and practical winter hat. You can pull it down over your ears on the coldest day. The hat is seamless.  You can use a 40cm circular needle, then switch to double pointed needles for the decreases. I used 2 sets of circular needles, which I find less awkward than using a single 40cm circular needle – and you don’t have to swap to double pointed needles for the decreases. There are good instructions on Youtube for this

The second hat was in one colour with a flower added. The third hat was made with a gradient dyed wool, and the fun bobbles added again.  If changing colours, I tie off each colour and thread in the ends after making the hat.

Size: To fit average adult head

Materials: About 90g Maniototo Aran style wool. If using a contrast colour, about 40g of the contrasting colour.  2 circular needles size 4.5mm.  Marker to mark beginning of the round. Knitters sewing up needle, scissors.

Instructions:  Cast on (81)sts. Join into a round by slipping the last stitch on to the left hand needle and knitting the first 2 sts together. You now have (80) sts. Be careful not to twist the stitches as you join in the round. Place marker at beginning of round (very important). With main colour, knit 11 rounds. If you have plenty of wool, you can knit two or three more rounds here.

*Purl 4 rounds knit 6 rounds* Work this series of rounds 6 times in total.  If changing colours, the first 5 knit rounds are in the contrast colour and the 6^th in the main colour. After the 6 repeats, begin decreasing for the top of the hat.

See note at end about placement of bobbles.

First decrease round: (P2tog, P8) to end of round. P3 more rounds

2^nd decrease round: (k2tog, K7) to end of round. K3 more rounds

3^rd decrease round:  (K2tog, K6) to end of round. K1 round

4^th decrease round: (P2tog, P5) to end of round. P 2 rounds

5^th decrease round: (P2tog, P4) to end of round. K 2 rounds

6^th decrease round: (K2tog, K3) to end of round. K 1 round

7^th decrease round: (P2tog, P2) to end of round. P 2 rounds

8^th decrease round: (P2tog, P1) to end of round

Next round: K2tog. Continue to K2tog until 8 sts remain. Thread end through stitches left on needle, and sew in firmly.

Thread in ends of wool, and enjoy wearing this cosy hat.

Bobbles

These are knitted into every 10^th stitch on the third round of the knit section of the hat. They can be placed on every knit section or every second knit section.

K into the front and back of the next stitch twice (4 new sts). *Turn and purl the 4 sts*. Turn and knit the 4 sts. Repeat * to*. Turn. Pass the 2^nd 3^rd and 4^th stitch over the first. Holding wool firmly, slip this stitch on to the right needle and continue.

The Flower

Cast on 50 sts. Purl one row. Next row: k1, (cast off 8, k1) to end of row. Thread end through remaining sts and sew to hat.

I look forward to any comments you have to make.