The Orfeo Hat’s swirling colourwork motifs are inspired by the decorative stamped motifs found in 17thC books and music scores. I scaled up the tiny, tiling motifs which border the title page of Monteverdi’s opera L’Orfeo (published in Venice in 1609) to create abstract colourwork full of movement and baroque drama. A coordinating cowl pattern is also available—the Orfeo Cowl.

Skills & Techniques:
The Twisted German Cast On (optional), working stranded colourwork in the round, following colourwork charts, and working decreases.

Materials Needed:
1 skein in each of 2 colours of Outlaw Yarn Bohemia Sport (45% Polwarth, 45% Alpaca, 10% Possum; 183yds/167m per 50g skein), or 101yds/92.5m of sport-weight yarn for the Main Colour (MC) + 102yds/93.5m for the Contrast Colour (CC).
Sample colourways: ‘Parchment’ (MC) + ‘Leadlight’ (CC).

You will also need one end-of-round stitch marker + 3 optional markers for between repeats.

Finished Measurements:
Relaxed after blocking: 18”/46cm brim circumference, and 8.5”/21.5cm height from brim to crown. To fit 19-22”/48-56cm head circumference.

Read more about the Orfeo Cowl and its inspiration on my blog:
New patterns: Orfeo Hat & Cowl

Tutorials:
Swatching in the round
Magic loop: yes it is!
How I block my hats