I always want small, portable knits for summer knitting. Easily memorizable and totally addicting, this hat is just the thing to knit while sitting in the sun with a cold drink by your side. Plus, the distinct lines in the motif make it easy to see where you are if you stop and start again.

I love how the lines of the ribbing curve gently into the motif, and how the crown decreases with bold waves at the top. The garter and lace diamonds look like cables, but are actually worked using yarn overs and decreases, paired with garter stitch detail.

The hat is designed for two immensely satisfying yarns from A Verb For Keeping Warm. In Range, (shown here) the heather of the natural wool and round, squishy feel of the yarn makes the lines of the motif just pop. In Pioneer (see my other project), the light, airy quality of the fiber gives the hat a softer feel. I know, because I knit the hat in both yarns..

If using Range, the hat needs just about 175 yards. In Pioneer, you will use almost every bit of your 160 yard skein.

Both yarns fall in the light worsted/heavy DK weight family. If substituting I suggest a lofty, round wool with a natural hand. Depending on your blocking method, you can leave your hat with more or less texture when finished. You can refer to the subs that the testers used as a guide.