Every knitter deserves a feather in their cap simply for being a knitter. We are adventurous, creative and resourceful. The fact that there is always something new to turn our hands (and brain) to is what keeps knitting so satisfying. Whether we are a relative beginner or have a lifetime of experience, in our constant quest to learn and try more, we shouldn’t forget that we already know a lot – we know how to knit!

This bottom-up hat mixes plenty of easy stretches with some travelling stranded colourwork to fuel our craving for something interesting. The majority is worked in simple garter stitch using both yarns held together to create a marl. The slanted feather is worked in standard stranded colourwork (aka fairisle) by using the two yarns separately and letting the other float behind. This combination of marl and stranded colourwork is what I call Marlisle.

SIZING
S (M, L)
To fit head 49 (54, 59)cm / 19 (21, 23)”
The main body of the hat is designed to have a close, but not tight fit, with 1cm / ¼” positive ease. This should give enough negative ease in the brim (knitted on smaller needles) to keep the hat on.

MEASUREMENTS (shown on schematic in pattern)
Body Circumference: 50 (55, 59)cm / 19¾, 21½, 23¼)”
Length (brim to crown): 25 (26, 26)cm / 10 (10¼, 10¼)”

GAUGE
22 sts & 42 rounds = 10cm x 10cm / 4” x 4” over Garter Stitch in the round on larger needles using Yarn A&B held together to achieve a slightly denser than usual, but not solid Garter Stitch fabric.

YARN SUGGESTIONS
2ply used to be a common yarn weight in the UK for making sweaters. You can think of it as a light 4ply/fingering or a heavy laceweight. 2ply, like 4ply, referred to the structure of the spin (two strands of yarn, plied together), but like 4ply, it now also refers to the weight of the yarn, regardless of its structure. Fuelled by the affordability of ready-to-wear clothing, it has faded from use as the fashion for quicker projects took hold. Since the weight is now a little unusual, I thought I would suggest not one, but 3 lovely yarns that will work very well for this project.

Light Brown and Turquoise version
Ovis et cetera, Quadruple Dutch (2ply/light fingering; 25% Shetland, 25% Merino, 25% alpaca, 25% Blue du Maine; 275m/300y per 50g skein)
Yarn A: Cabin x 1
Yarn B: Feather x 1

Brown and Blue version
Jamieson & Smith, Shetland Heritage (2ply/light fingering; fibre type; 110m/120y per 25g ball)
Yarn A: Peat x 2
Yarn B: Indigo x 2

Brown and Red version
Susan Crawford Vintage, Fenella 2ply
(2ply/light fingering; 100% wool; 124m/135y per 25g skein)
Yarn A: Myristica x 2
Yarn B: Baked Cherry x 2

SUGGESTED NEEDLES
3.25mm (US 3) 40cm circular needle for Rolled Brim.
4mm (US 6) for Body and Crown Shaping.

Needle type note: You can use either circular needles long enough for magic looping or DPNs in both sizes or use a combination of 40cm/16” length circular needles for the Rolled Brim and Body AND a pair of DPNs or magic loop for the Crown Shaping.

Always use a needle size that will result in the correct gauge after blocking.

NOTIONS
tapestry needle
stitch marker