This is one of my favourite hat patterns – partly because I love knitting with this yarn, and partly because of the beautiful stitch. I call it the Trinity stitch, though it’s also known as blackberry or popcorn stitch. I named the hat Tor after the old English word for hill, as the little clusters remind me of rolling hills.

The yarn is Soft Donegal, traditionally made in Donegal, and there’s something special about it. It’s soft, bouncy and full of character – like holding a handful of soft, fluffy clouds. Because it’s a chunky yarn, the hat knits up quickly too, making it a really satisfying project.

The pattern uses two balls of Soft Donegal in shade B and one ball in shade A – or, if you prefer to knit it all in one shade and skip the pompom, two balls is all you’ll need.

CONSTRUCTION
Knitted flat in one piece from the bottom up with one seam.

TECHNIQUES USED
Cast on, knit, purl, simple increasing and decreasing stitch technique, decreasing. Joining one seam. Optional but recommended to create the feeling of joy when joining your pieces: mattress stitch.

YARN
One 100g hank each of Studio Donegal Soft Chunky in shade A and shade B.
100% Merino wool, 125m/136yds per 100g
If you wanted to use just one shade, only one 100g balls are needed without the option of a pompom.

SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
5.5mm.

GAUGE (tension)
16 stitches and 21 rows to 10cm square over rib pattern. I obtained this gauge with 5.5mm needles.
It is important to obtain gauge so do swatch and change your needle size to achieve the correct gauge if you need to.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
To fit adult head. Due to the nature of the rib pattern and individual gauges, the finished circumference can vary from 50cm to 58cm.
If the knitter gets the gauge as above the finished circumference will be approx. 53cm.

NEED HELP?
I am here for you! Pop into the Skipton studio, send an email, or check out the Purl &Jane YouTube channel for tips, inspiration and guidance including handy resources like gauge (tension) guides and how to tutorials.