This pattern is based on a traditional High Atlas hat pattern, which I learned from shepherds in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains. You can read more about the hat, the shepherds, and the history of knitting in Morocco and North Africa in the book, Keepers of the Sheep: Knitting in Morocco’s High Atlas and Beyond.

As requested by the shepherds, a portion of book sales will be donated to their village’s women’s cooperative, Coop Ibilou, for projects that will benefit the community.