The Bramble Hat is an easy going Fairisle pattern knit in the round. With generous proportions it can be worn in a slouchy style or pulled down low for those blustery days.

With the three generous hanks of By Laxton's yarn you will also achieve a second smaller (S) hat which is suitable for age 9 and up; and there are more patterns available for any yarn you may have left over.

This pattern is a four stitch repeat and is suitable for knitters with some experience in Fairisle knitting and knitting in the round.

• 3 x 100g colours 
  Sheepsoft or Wooltrace
• 4mm double pointed needles
• A stitch marker for each round
• Large eye needle for sewing in ends
• 9cm diameter pompom maker (or you can use card)

Gauge is 27 stitches and 25 rows over 10cm

Choose your colour order:

A&B - These colours become a pair and will be worked together.

C&D - These colours will become a pair and will be worked together.

With colour A. cast on 192 stitches. Join them in the round being careful not to twist, place the marker to show the beginning of the round.

•  With colour A begin at row 1 on the chart, then add colour B and work to row 5.
• Change to colour C and knit row 6, then add colour D and work to row 10. 

Repeat the chart by changing the colour order.

• Knit row 1 with colour B and use colour A for the pattern for rows.
• Knit row 6 with colour D and use colour C for the pattern rows.

Repeat rows 1 to 10 at the same time rotating your colour pairs for a total of  12 times.

(12 x rows 1 to 10).

To cast off and close the tube, make sure you have aligned the motifs on each side of your knitting. You could use pegs or sewing clips to hold the front and back in place.

Grafting both sides together is a neat and tidy way to cast off. Divide your stitches in half, with the marker on the front needle, this will be the side, make sure your motifs are matched front and back. Cut a long length of yarn with the colour you have finished on and thread it with a blunt ended needle.

Grafting set up:

Sew the yarn purl wise into the first stitch on the front needle, pull it through snugly.

Sew the yarn knit wise into the first stitch on the back needle, pull it through snugly.

Both stitches are still on the needles.

• A) Sew the yarn through the first stitch on the front knit wise, pull it through snugly and drop the stitch off the needle, sew the yarn purl wise through the second stitch on the front needle, pull through snugly and leave it in place.
• B) Sew the yarn through the first stitch on the back purl wise, pull it through snugly and drop the stitch off the needle. Sew the yarn knit wise through the second stitch on the back needle, pull it through snugly and leave it in place.

An aide-mémoire for this is:

• A) Front: knit take it off, purple leave it on
• B) Back: purl take it off, knit leave it on

Place your cushion in the super new cover you have knitted and sew or graft the sides closed. Again, make sure that you have matched up the motifs front and back.