IT'S PATTERN LAUNCH DAY!
Hello! I'm always excited about pattern launch day but this beanie pattern is especially exciting beacuse I've lined it up to launch on the day of The Scottish Yarn Festival at Errol Showground, Perthshire which is also today! I've designed my Tay Beanie using the Clan DK wool from The Scottish Yarn Festival and it seems fitting to release the pattern into the world on this special day!
I've spoken at length in previous blog posts about how much I LOVE this wool, but if you missed those you can find them on my blog here.
The Tay Beanie pattern is FREE for you here in this blog post with the option to upgrade to the paid-for pattern on either my website or on Ravelry. The paid-for version has another two sizes plus a video tutorial to accompany the pattern. It also includes my prompts for taking the pattern and creating your own spin on it, something I love to encourage! Use the code BEANIE for 25% off the paid-for version!
To make this beanie, you'll need:
- 1x 100g skein of The Scottish Yarn Festival Clan DK (230m/ 100g, 80% Shetland/ 20% Cheviot), I used colourway Sinclair. Link to buy yarn https://thescottishyarnfestival.com/our-custom-yarn
- 5.5mm (I/9) crochet hook
- Needle for sewing in ends
Tension
6.5 stars x 8 rows per 10cm (Star Stitch pattern in rounds, unblocked with 5.5mm hook or required hook to achieve gauge). No time for gauge swatches? At the end of Round 5 of the Crown, the diameter should be approximately 11cm.Medium size: to fit 53-58cm; finished hat circumference 58cm; brim to crown height 20cm. My medium sized sample used just under 60g of yarn.
For the small and large sizes visit my website or Ravelry to download the paid-for pattern.
Abbreviations
Notes
Begin at the Crown and work down to the Brim in rounds with RS facing at all times. Do not turn at the end of rounds.
Some testers found that they went up a hook size (or two!) for the Star Stitches. If you feel your Star Stitches are too tight, go up a hook size then back down a hook size for the Brim. You can try on the hat for size & fit after each reset round of Star Stitches.
If you’d like more length to your beanie add extra rounds of the Brim section.
Stitch counts are only given at the end of rounds with a change of count from the previous round. If there is no stitch count stated, it’s unchanged since the previous round.
Special stitches
Star Stitch is worked over 2 rounds. In the first round you will tr6tog/ dc6tog with the first part of each tr/ dc worked as follows; in chsp just made, in mid side leg of last star worked, in lower side leg of last star worked, in same st as last leg of last star, in each of next 2sts, yo, pull through all 7 loops on hook, ch1 = tr6tog/ dc2tog made. To complete the stars you will work a round of (1tr, 2htr)/ (1dc, 2hdc) in each chsp around - be careful not to miss the last chsp before the ss join! A reset round is then worked to bring the stitch count back down.
To begin a round of Star Stitch; ch4, then tr6tog/ dc6tog with the first part of each tr/ dc worked as follows; in 2nd ch from hook, in 3rd ch from hook, in 4th ch from hook, in the same space as joining st at end of last round, in first st, in 2nd st, yo, pull through all 7 loops on hook, ch1 = tr6tog/ dc6tog made
Front post stitches (fptr/ fpdc) & back post stitches (bptr/ bpdc) are worked in almost the same way as regular trebles/ doubles except they are worked around the post of the stitch instead of in the top.
I’d like to thank my tech editor Ruth Brasch for checking over the fine details; my testers (their photos are in the collage above) - Gillian Clifford, Mary Dodds, Daniela Haible, Carmen Heffernan, Raffaella Invernizzi, Angela Lawton & Hannah Wingfield; my photographers, stylists - Niamh Mitchell & Joy Saunders; my model Niamh Mitchell! Thank you everyone, this design wouldn’t have been possible without all your help. xx
Video links
I’ve made two YouTube video tutorials to help you with this beanie. If you purchase the paid-for pattern on my website or on Ravelry, you will have access to my introduction video which talks you through the construction of this beanie.
How to work back post/ front post ribbing https://youtu.be/WH21Ohlq4IE
How to work the Star Stitch https://youtu.be/2Y4v6VxATuc
