Skills needed: Long tail cast on, knitting, purling, two-color knitting, decreasing

Ypsilanti has been home to me at several different times in my life. First, when my dad moved us back to Michigan to attend school, and again when I decided to finish my degree. Both of us chose Eastern Michigan University, located in Ypsilanti, affectionately called Ypsi by locals. Childhood and adult memories are infused with an iconic stone water tower on campus that serves as a landmark for anyone living in the area. The color work pattern on this hat reminds me of timeon campus and using the water tower as a landmark and local conversation piece. Sadly, Ypsi is often thought of as Ann Arbor’s ugly step sister, but it truly has a charm of its own. The historic Depot Town just outside of campus where you can catch a bite to eat at Sidetracks restaurant and wait for a train to whistle past, the Elvis festival, and the Heritage Festival make it more than just a small town tucked in between Ann Arbor and Detroit.

Ypsi is sized from infant to adult, and includes a cozy cowl for those who don’t like hats. The Latvian Braid that separates the motif adds a bit of elegance to an otherwise simple knit. Once you master the braid, you’ll be surprised at its simplicity and wonder why it isn’t used more, much like Ypsi residents don’t understand why Ann Arbor gets all the attention. I think you’ll find the pattern surprisingly speedy, and you’ll soon be knitting extras to put aside for gifts…or for your favorite college student to wear around campus when the weather turns cold.

SIZES 0-6 months, 6-18 months, 18 months to 4 years, 4 years to adult S, adult M/L

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS Unblocked hat circumference: 14” (16”, 18”, 20”, 22”) To fit heads 15-16” (17-18”, 19-20”, 21-22”, 23-24”) Unblocked Cowl: 21.5”x8.5”

MATERIALS 140 yards of light worsted weight MC, 55 yards of light worsted weight CC will knit any size of hat or cowl.