Pure, minimally-processed yarn requires a clean, simple canvas in order to shine. The absolutely delightful La Bella 4ply yarn, by Great Ocean Road Woollen Mill, is an incredible, rustic blend of merino and alpaca. The characteristics of this yarn – little slubs, an alpaca halo, natural colours, and merino clouds – deserve to be highlighted, and not hidden away behind a highly detailed pattern. My EXPO beanie is a twist on a classic ribbed hat. Varying rib details shift into seed stitch false “seams”, providing a stretchy, forgiving, everyday hat that suits all purposes and allows the beauty of the yarn to be the feature it should be. EXPO is fully reversible, and tall enough to wear straight or folded, giving you maximum wearability.

YARN REQUIREMENTS
Great Ocean Road Woollen Mill La Bella Grey Fingering Superfine 90% merino, 10% alpaca
or
Great Ocean Road Woollen Mill La Bella Rose Grey Fingering 80% merino, 20% alpaca
or
Great Ocean Road Woollen Mill La Bella Salt & Pepper Fingering 75% merino, 25% alpaca
or
any other fingering-weight yarn with a high wool/merino content
120-195m (131-213 yards) required.
Please keep in mind that any difference in gauge may affect the amount of yarn you use.

SIZES
Baby/Toddler: 41-46cm head circumference; 18.5cm finished hat height
Child: 46-51cm head circumference; 20.5cm finished hat height
Teen/Small Adult: 52-56cm head circumference; 23cm finished hat height
Large Adult: 57-61cm head circumference; 25.5cm finished hat height
NOTE: due to the nature of the fabric you will find that each size actually fits a greater range of head circumferences than indicated.

GAUGE
33sts/42 rounds over 10cm in pattern on 3mm/US 2.5 needles, worked in the round, after blocking

This pattern has been professionally tech edited, and has been test knitted.

Thank you to Cat Timms, for her beautiful images; Kristina McGrath, for her tech editing skills; Great Ocean Road Woollen Mill, for yarn support; Cat’s son, JJ, for modelling; and my wonderful test knitters, for sharing their time and feedback.