Old Forest Hat

The Old Forest Hat is a warm beanie worked in two colours of DK / 8 ply yarn. Although brioche-like, it is actually worked in a simpler modified fisherman’s rib.  

The construction is top-down to allow testing for size and fit as you go. The bottom band is folded underneath, and the fold is knitted into the cast off to give a tidy, professional finish. 

The pattern is written in size S/M, which fits bigger teens to medium sized adults, and size L for larger heads.  

Sizing:

[head circumference] 

S/M [55.5 - 57 cm or 21 ¾ - 22 ½ inches] 

L [57.5 - 59 cm or 22 ¾ - 23 ¼ inches] 

Yarn

Use DK (8 ply) yarn (with a recommended gauge of 22 sts and 30 rows to 10 cm / 4 inches) with in two different colours.  Many different options are available. 

The example in the images is worked in Colour A – Rose Spud Yarns Corriedale 8 ply hand dyed with comfrey leaves; and Colour B - the Little Wool Co’s Pure Wool Naturals DK, 100% Wool, 434 m per 200 grams, shade white. 

Approximate Yardage: 

Size S/M : Colour A = 75 m (855 yards); Colour B = 110 m or 120 yards 

Size L : Colour A = 85 m or 95 yards; Colour B = 120 m or 130 yards 

Plus an extra 30 m or 35 yards for pompom. 

Needles

• Circular 3.75mm (US 5) needles for the ribbed band in a short length, say 45 – 50 cm. 
• Circular 4mm (US 6) needles also in a short length. 
• Four 4mm (US 6) double-pointed needles for working the small circumference at the beginning, or alternative longer circular needle for the magic loop method. 

Gauge:

26 sts and 33 rows per 10 cm (4 inches) in the modified half fisherman’s rib.