Tramontana

Tramontana is the name for the wind that sweeps down the Alps dragging blasts of frigid air in its wake. Ever since I first experienced its blasts I longed for a hat that was equal to combatting it. The combination of dense cables (knit at a firm gauge) and a deep, ear-warming brim, make this hat a worthy adversary to the harshest elements. This is still the hat I reach for most often in Winter.

YARN
Approximately 285 yards of worsted weight yarn

Samples made with 3 skeins mYak Baby Yak Medium (100% baby yak, 125 yds/50g)

Shown in colours Oatmeal and Tibetan Sky; samples used approximately 260 yds/103g

Note on Yarn Usage: The hat takes just over two full skeins to make. If you want to use only 2 skeins of the main yarn, the lining section is not visible in the final hat and can be made with a different yarn or a contrasting color if desired.

GAUGE
20 stitches and 28 rounds = 4” in stockinette stitch in the round on Main Fabric Needle, after blocking

32 stitches and 30 rounds and rows = 4” in charted stitch pattern on Main Fabric Needle, after blocking

36–stitch Band = 4¼“ wide, after blocking

NEEDLES
Main Fabric Needle: One 24” needle for working the band flat, one 16” or 20” circular for working the lining and crown, one spare circular in any length, and one set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) in size needed to obtain gauge
Suggested size: US 6 (4.0 mm)
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge

TOOLS
Blunt tapestry needle, stitch marker(s), small amounts of smooth waste yarn, cable needle

FINISHED DIMENSIONS (after blocking)
Brim circumference: 20” to fit adult head size 20 –22 ½“
Length: 8¾”

TECHNIQUES
provisional cast on, chart reading, cabling, grafting or three-needle bind-off