In the ancient Aztec culture, the eagle is the symbol for the sun, hence the name for the hat which translates to “Aztec sun.” The eagle motif is on the teal band. Eagle warriors were the bravest and most feared soldiers. The colors are warm, the motifs are simple. I like it without earflaps, my daughter says “small earflaps with big braids”. So I show it both ways. The pom pom is BIG and takes lots of yarn, but it makes the hat.. Each knitter is the ultimate designer, so choose the colors and finish to please yourself, or to please the person lucky enough to receive your work!

Three sizes:
Small (Child/Sm Adult), Medium (Adult) & Large (Large Adult)
Copyright 2017 by Lisa McFetridge

Any worsted weight yarn that meets gauge can be used.
Colors below are for Cascade 220 Worsted and for Malabrigo Rios Merino Worsted.
Knit Picks SWISH or Wool of the Andes can also be used.
Materials:
MC (Main Color) 120 (130, 140) yds / 110 (119, 128) m Teal
Malagbrigo RIOS - TealFeather #RIO412
Cascade 220 - Turquoise Heather #9455
CC1 50 (50, 50) yds / 46 (46, 46) m Black
Malabrigo RIOS - Black RIO195
Cascade 220 - Jet #4002
CC2 15 (15, 20) yds / 14 (14, 19) m Bright Lime Green
Malabrigo RIOS - Apple Green #RIO011
Cascade 220 - Citron #8910
CC3 15 (15, 20) yds / 14 (14, 19) m Gold
Malabrigo RIOS - Frank Ochre #RIO035
Cascade 220 - Gold #9463B Gold
CC4 100 (110, 120) yds / 92 (101, 110)m Orange (includes large Pom Pom and Braids)
Malabrigo RIOS - Glazed Carrot #RIO016
Cascade 220 - Tangerine Heather #9444
CC5 25 (30, 35) yds / 23 (28, 32) m Light Orange (includes Pom Pom and Braids)
Malabrigo RIOS - Sunset #RIO096
Cascade 220 - Nectarine Heather #2451
CC6 45 (50, 55) yds / 41 (46, 50) m Light Teal
Malabrigo RIOS - Reflecting Pool #RIO133
Cascade 220 - Summer Sky Heather #9452
US Size 7 / 4.5 mm sixteen or twenty-four in circular needle or size that meets gauge
Stitch Holder, Darning Needle, Stitch Marker

Notes: CC6 and MC can be replaced with one color changing/painted/ variegated yarn. The same is true for CC4 and CC5. Just combine the yardages for total amount needed. Scrap amounts of yarn in desired colors can be used for CC2 & CC3.

If you are a very loose knitter, consider going down one needle size for the first 4 rnds.

Gauge:
20 sts x 26 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stranded stockinette, blocked.

Finished Measurements:
Length: approx 9 in / 22.5 cm from brim to tip without pom pom
Circumference: 19 (20.5, 22.25) in / 48.25 (52, 56.5) cm