It has been thrilling to watch the crafting world turn our hands to making pussy hats in a collective show of creativity and dissent initiated by the Pussy Hat Project in a beautiful and inspiring call to craft. The project was started in November 2016 with the aim of making over a million hats to be worn at the Women’s March in Washington DC. The founding Pussy Hat Project knitting pattern was designed by katcoyle of The Little Knittery in Atwater Village, Los Angeles, USA. It’s an ingeniously simple design, knitted flat in worsted weight yarn with a long rib section and stocking stitch body.

This pattern shares what I did to make my own slightly more elaborate hat (and a second one for my American main squeeze). It is knitted in the round from the ribbed brim, through the colourworked body to the ears in heavy DK/worsted weight yarn. I give a couple of options for the rib at the beginning of the hat (and accompanying cast on suggestions) because options are good. I’ve stuck with Kat’s super simple shape of a straight across finish at the top of the hat. While her pattern is folded, then seamed at the edges, this top is made by using a 3-needle cast off.

I’ve put the pattern together quickly, so haven’t applied my usual level of testing, sizing options, photography or layout, but there aren’t many knitting days left to marching on the 21st of January 2017 (and it’s free).

One Size. To fit head circumference 56-58cm / 22-22¾”. Cast on to cast off: 24cm / 9½”

Hat A: pictured with 1x1 ribbing as worn by Anna.
A: Old Rose (333) x 1 ball (discontinued shade)
B: Pink (0315) x half ball

Hat B: pictured with 2x2 ribbing as worn by Adam.
A: Pastel Pink (332) x 1 ball
B: Pink (0315) x half ball

Three balls of yarn are enough to make 2 hats, using one ball as yarn B in both.

You’ll need a spare knitting needle for the 3- needle cast off and a tapestry needle and a stitch marker too.

Extra note: Kettunøsin – the name of the hat and the charted cat pattern come from the little black book of Faroese charted knitting patterns, Føroysk Bindinggarmynstur as compiled by Hans M. Debes, first published in 1932. It is knitted in the round with a regular repeat of the motif as all Faroese’ charted knits tend(ed) to be, and as set by the book. My reprinted copy from 2008, was given to me when I was invited to teach knitting in Tórshavn to an inspiring group of women.