These hats were designed as a gift to my daughter Maya and her best friend, Olivia - who braved the heat to model for me without realizing the hats were theirs to keep. (Surprise!) In a few weeks, they will both be off to college, so I tossed all kinds of hopes and wishes and thoughts into each stitch on these.

My goal was to create a design that feels rooted in tradition, but is as strong and unique as these two have been all along. The yarn I chose is 100% wool, in natural shades - from baa ram ewe, who uses traditional breeds from UK farms and spins and dyes her fiber locally. It smells and looks like a natural yarn should, and my girls both know how important that is. Verity (of baa ram ewe) is also hilarious and amazing, qualities that would not be lost on these two.

The motif I created features layers, almost building blocks. If I was to get sentimental about it, I’d say the bottom layer - that sturdy one above the ribbing, is the piece we’ve added as parents. The middle layer rests firmly on the first, and represents all the stuff they’ve already done and learned and experienced so far for themselves.

And that top portion? The lofty, open arch has got some solid walls and a roof. And there’s empty space under that roof for all kinds of things to fit inside - the things they’re about to learn, the people they’ll meet, whatever they dream up, and tons of joy and laughter. Right? If I was sentimental, I’d probably have teared up a bit while I was thinking and writing about these. I’m going to miss both these girls.

Two skeins (130yds each) will get you two S or M hats, each the reverse of the other. You may need extra yarn if working two in size L.

Note that I’m knitting the chunky yarn at an Aran gauge, on #9/5.5mm needles.

Notes are in the pattern if you’d like to knit these to either a worsted (5sts per 1”/2.54cm) or a bulky (3sts per 1”/2.54cm) weight gauge. The pattern also discusses easy modifications for depth or width.

Besides that, it’s a simple, quick hat pattern - kind of perfect for a gift (and not so tough to re-knit if it gets left somewhere in a dorm…)