Bousta Beanie
By Gudrun Johnston

This pattern has been updated (April 9th 2020) to include instructions for a beret option.

I am always impressed by the myriad shades of colour that can be seen in Shetland, the blues of the sea, the mossy greens and browns of the hillside and the bright pops of wildflowers and heather in the summer. I never tire of walking in this landscape and soaking in the rich palette. I also love to wear a slouchy style hat that can be pulled down to cover my ears when it’s cold and windy outside! All of these elements played a part in this design. The Bousta Beanie uses three colours combined to great effect within a simple Fair Isle pattern. What with all the colours available in Shetland yarn the possibilities are endless!

This hat was originally designed for Shetland Wool Week 2017

Size
18 inch circumference at brim; 9 ½ inches tall from brim to crown.

Needles
US 2/3mm 16-inch circular needle
US 4/3.5mm 16-inch circular needle
US 4/3.5mm set of dpn’s or long circular needle (if prefer using magic loop)

Yarn
Three shades of 4ply weight yarn in the following quantities:
Yarn A: 120m / 130yds
Yarn B: 60m / 65yds
Yarn C: 60m / 65yds
Pom pom (optional): 45m / 50yds

Colourway 1: Jamieson & Smith 2ply Jumper Weight (100% Shetland; 125 yards/25g) FC 39 (MC), 142 (CC1) and FC41 (CC2)
Colourway 2: Jamieson’s Spindrift (100% Shetland; 115 yards/25g)
Mirry Dancers (MC), Wren (CC1) and Burnt Ochre (CC2)
Colourway 3: Uradale Yarns Jumper Weight (100% Organic Shetland; 173 yards/50g) Oatmeal (MC), Fawn (CC1), Moorit (CC2)
Note: You can’t really go too wrong when choosing colours for this hat! You can go subtle or bold!

Beret shown in:
Jamieson & Smith 2ply Jumper Weight (4ply/Fingering; 100% Real Shetland Wool; 115m / 125yds per 25g ball)
MC: Shade 4;2 x 25g balls
CC2: Shade 3;1 x 25g ball
Jamieson’s of Shetland Spindrift (4ply/Fingering; 100% Shetland Wool; 105m / 115yds per 25g ball)
CC1 Cocoa; 1 x 25g ball

Notions
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends