What do you get when you mix polka dots, stunning yarn and a good dose of fun knitting? The Liquorice hat – naturally. A nod to the fun and quirky, Jess – owner of Ginger Twist Studio, who loves a cup of liquorice tea.
This super quick slouch is perfect for showing off subtle hand dyes or making a bold statement with a flash of colour. The delicious Alpaca keeps you warm and cosy in winter too. Available in three sizes and two slouch options (super slouchy or slightly more fitted) this hat can be whipped up in a evening. Add a pom pom if you like for added fun, because you can never have too many pom poms!
The tea: Liquorice (or Licorice for my north American knitters) takes its name from an ancient Greek word meaning ‘sweet root’. This plant has pretty blue flowers but it is the root that delivers the subtle sweetness that creates delicious tea. A delightfully sweet drink, the perfect pick me up.
Materials
Ginger’s Hand Dyed Chunky Baby (Chunky; 100% Baby Alpaca; 99m / 108 yds per 100g skein)
Shade: Scottish Play; 1 x 100g skein
OR
Ginger’s Hand Dyed Flumps Chunky (Chunky; 100% Merino; 100m / 109 yds per 100g skein)
Shade: Gorblimey; 1 x 100g skein
5mm / US8 circular needle 40cm / 16in length (or 80cm / 32in length for magic loop)
6.5mm / US10.5 circular needle 40cm / 16in length (or 80cm / 32in length for magic loop)
6.5mm / US10.5 set of DPNs for crown decreases, or longer circular needle for magic loop
One stitch marker (or 7 (8, 9) stitch markers if you wish to mark each repeat
Tapestry needle
Gauge
15 sts and 20 rnds over 10cm / 4in of eyelet pattern worked in the rnd and blocked, using 6.5mm/ US10.5 needles
17 sts and 28 rnds over 10cm / 4in of 1 x 1 rib worked in the rnd and blocked, using 5mm/ US8 needles
Sizes
S, (M, L)
To fit head circumference: 45 - 50 (50 - 55, 55 - 60)cm / 18 - 20 (20 - 22, 22 - 24)in
Finished hat circumference (unstretched): 37 (43, 48) cm / 14.5 (17, 19)in
Finished length from brim to crown (slouchy): 26cm / 10.25in
Finished length from brim to crown (less slouchy): 23cm / 9in