Beat the winter blues in this bright, textured bobble hat by Caroline Birkettt

SIZE

To fit: Medium sized head
Circumference: 45.5cm (18in)
Height: 28cm (11in)

YOU WILL NEED

Artesano Aran 50% superfine alpaca,
50% Peruvian highland wool, 25% alpaca
(132m per 100g)
1 x 100g hank in Chard 6315 (A)
2 x 100g hanks in Calder 5167 (B)
1 set of 5mm double ended needles
1 set of 5.5mm double ended needles
Note: Yarn amounts given are based on average requirements and are approximate.

TENSION

20 sts and 24 rows to 10cm (4in) over pattern using 5.5mm needles.
Use larger or smaller needles if necessary
to obtain correct tension.

HAT

Using 5mm needles and yarn A, cast on 84 sts. Join to work in the round. You will be working with the inside of the hat facing you.
Rounds 1 to 8: *P1, k1, rep from * to end
of round.
Change to 5.5mm needles and yarn B.
Next round: *P3, m1p, rep from * to end of round (112 sts).
Rounds 1 to 2: *P1, k1, p1, k5, rep from * to end of round.
Round 3: * P1, k1 under running thread between the st just worked and next st, (k1, p1, k1) in next st, k1 under next running thread, p1, p5tog, rep from * to end of round.
Rounds 4 to 8: *P1, k5, p1, k1, rep from * to end of round.
Round 9: *P1, p5tog, p1, k1 under next running thread, (k1, p1, k1) in next st, k1 under next running thread, rep from * to end of round.
Rounds 10 to 12: As Round 1.
Rep the last 12 rounds 4 times.
Shape crown
Next round: *P1, k1, p1, k1, k2tog, k2, rep from * to end of round (98 sts).
Next round: *P1, k1, p1, k4, rep from * to end
of round.
Next round: *P1, k1, p1, k1, k2tog, k1,
rep from * to end of round (84 sts).
Next round: *P1, k1, p1, k3, rep from * to end
of round.
Next round: *P1, k1, p1, k2tog, k1,
rep from * to end of round (70 sts).
Next round: *P1, k1, p1, k2tog, rep from * to end of round (56 sts).
Next round: P2tog to end of round (28 sts).
Next round: P2tog to end of round (14 sts).
Do not cast off.
Break yarn and thread through the remaining sts, pull tight and secure.

POM-POM

Wrap 10m of yarn A and yarn B, together, around a piece of card 10cm (4in) wide. Slip the card out and tie a piece of yarn B tightly around the middle. Cut the ‘loops’ at both ends then trim to neaten shape.

TO FINISH OFF

Use the yarn tied around the centre of the pom-pom to sew it in place on the crown of hat.