This hat pattern is part of The Tea Collection – a series of hats celebrating tea and knitting by Clare Devine.

You can purchase the ebook (containing eleven hats, with two bonus cowl patterns) HERE.

You are cordially invited to join us for the (virtual) Tea Party KAL, a celebration of tea, knitting and great company in the spirit of #knitsharelove. For more details pop over to the Ravelry group.

Rooibos

A tribute to my favourite tea, Rooibos is a beautiful heady mix of mini cables, eyelets and texture. My love for slouchy hats is well documented and this one pays tribute to the slouch with bags of style. Bold and striking this luscious yarn adds a touch luxury and the crown shaping is the icing on the cake. Available in three sizes, with notes on how to make a less slouchy version (if slouch is not your style).

The tea: Rooibos translates literally as “red bush” and comes from a variety of ‘fynbos’ grown in a small mountainous region of the Western Cape, South Africa. The leaves are usually fermented, producing the rich red colour and enhancing the earthy flavour. An unfermented green version is also available; this tea has a malty and slightly grassier flavour. Rarely a day goes by that I do not drink a cup of Rooibos (or ten).

Materials

Ginger’s Hand Dyed Luscious Worsted (Worsted; 80% Bluefaced Leicester / 20% Silk / 10% Cashmere; 200 m / 219 yds per 115g skein)
Shade: Birdie on the Shoulder; 1 x 115g skein.

4mm / US6 circular needle 40cm / 16in length (or 80cm / 32in length for magic loop)

4.5mm / US7 circular needle 40cm / 16in length (or 80cm / 32in length for magic loop)

4.5mm / US7 set of DPNs for crown decreases, or longer circular needle for magic loop

One stitch marker (or 9 (10, 11) stitch markers if you wish to mark each repeat

Tapestry needle

Gauge

26 sts and 32 rnds over 10cm / 4in of 1 x 1 rib worked in the rnd and blocked, using 4mm/ US4.5 needles

23 sts and 28 rnds over 10cm / 4in of lace and texture pattern worked in the rnd and blocked, using 4.5mm/ US7 needles
The pattern gauge has been measured over the leaf section rnds 2 – 24.

Sizes

S, (M, L)
To fit head circumference: 45 - 50 (50 - 55, 55 - 60)cm / 18 - 20 (20 - 22, 22 - 24)in
Finished hat circumference (unstretched): 42 (47, 52) cm / 16.25 (18.5, 20.5)in
Finished length from brim to crown: 24cm / 9.5in