Mathematicians define a tessellation as a pattern of shapes that covers a surface with no overlaps and no gaps. Tessa certainly fits that description! Its paisley motifs fill its entire surface, meeting in a striking star at the top of the crown.

Tessa is worked from the bottom up, starting with plain rib. You can begin this plain rib with a provisional cast-on and fold it double for a thicker brim (as shown in the sample), or you can keep it to a single thickness.

The rest of Tessa is worked in patterned brioche rib. Each “brioche slip” (aka “brSl”) creates a single stitch composed of two loops: a slipped stitch, and a yarn over. On the following round, treat these two loops as one indivisible unit, knitting or purling into them as you would any other stitch.

Tessa’s instructions are presented in written form, and as grid-free stitch maps. Visit Stitch-Maps.com for more information on stitch maps.

Want to buy a kit for knitting Tessa? Check out the options at Stunning String.