“How quiet is the spruce,
the wind twills
through the uppermost tier
of splayed leaves.”

From “How Quiet” by Judith Harris

The poems I read as I put together this year’s collection all seemed to lead me to the same place: a quiet woodland, blanketed with snow. Even if they begin indoors, the imagination of the poet always wanders back out into the hills and the forest. In “How Quiet”, Judith Harris deftly sketches a few glimpses of this place and its atmosphere of wonder, and the poem ends with a brief meditation on the secret nature of divinity. No matter what you believe, it’s often true that if we want to seek out the beauty “hidden in plain sight” we must first get to a quiet place. Sometimes that place might be in the middle of a snowy evergreen forest, but sometimes it is just a moment of presence and attention within ourselves. I often find that place as I sit with wool and needles in my hands, patiently following stitch with stitch. It’s one of my personal definitions of peace, and the feeling I wanted to share with you this Knitvent.

The How Quiet Hat is a quick and easy knit in soft DK weight yarn, ideal for holiday gifting or to whip up for yourself before your next visit to the woods. The wide ribbed brim can be worn down for a relaxed, slouchy feel or turned up for those who prefer a more fitted beanie. The design features a simple and subtle chevron stitch pattern evoking the quiet spruce of the poem, and is finished off with a fluffy pompom. This is a unisex pattern which includes sizes from baby to large adult, and it might just become your next go-to pattern for last minute presents. When paired with the matching How Quiet mitts, they’ll stay warm and cosy on even the chilliest winter walks.

SIZE
Baby (Child, Adult, Large Adult)
To fit head circumference 16 (18, 22, 24)”

YARN
Julie Asselin Leizu DK
(90% Superwash Merino, 10% Silk, 238m/260yds per 115g skein)
Sample 1 Colour: Sauge Argentée
Sample 2 Colour: Touareg

OR
Actual yardage used approximately:
Baby: 30g, 62m/68yds
Child: 38g, 79m/86yds
Adult: 45g, 93m/102yds
Large Adult: 56g, 116m/127yds

NEEDLES
3.5mm (US 4), 40cm (16”) long circular needles or longer circular needles for magic loop

4.5mm (US 7), 40cm (16”) long circular needles and DPNs for crown shaping or longer circular needles for magic loop (or size to obtain gauge)

NOTIONS
Tapestry Needle
10 (11, 12, 13) stitch markers

GAUGE
20 sts/32 rows = 10cm (4”)
in stockinette after blocking using
larger needles