Otter Ferry
This hat began with a button made by Scottish ceramicist Julia Smith (for whose work I have a penchant). The soft colours of Julia’s hand fired clay immediately called to mind Smirr and Hare: two of my favourite shades of Milarrochy Tweed. So I decided to knit a simple hat in those two shades, echoing Julia’s button, and featuring it too. Otter Ferry is a nearby coastal spot, whose name and nautical feel seemed a good match for this jolly hat.

Yarn
Kate Davies Designs Milarrochy Tweed (70% wool; 30% mohair; 100m / 109yds per 25g ball).
A Hare x 2 balls
B Smirr x 1 ball

Needles and notions
2 x 40cm / 16in gauge-size circular needles.
Gauge-size needle(s) of your preferred type for working small circumferences.
Gauge-size crochet hook for provisional cast-on (if using this method).
Stitch marker.
Tapestry needle.
Waste yarn.
Button (2.5cm / 1in diameter).

Gauge
28 sts and 34 rounds to 10cm /4in over stockinette on gauge-size needle.
Gauge was achieved on 3.25mm / US 3 needle.

sizing
One size to fit head circumference: 52-56cm / 20½-22in
Hat circumference (unstretched): 51cm / 20in
Height from brim to crown: 35.5cm / 14in

Special techniques
I-cord.
I-cord bind-off.
provisional cast-on.

pattern notes
This hat is cast on provisionally, and is knitted from the bottom up, beginning with a folded brim. The body is worked in a simple stripe sequence, and decreases shape the top, which is finished with an i-cord loop. An i-cord bind-off neatly completes the bottom edge and the hat top is folded down and secured with a decorative (and functional) button.