The Woolacombe Waffle Hat is one of seven patterns in issue five of John Arbon Textiles’ in house magazine, The Annual, published in September 2025.

There are kits available for this pattern.

Wild seas and pebble beaches. It’s never the wrong time of year for ice cream in the UK! This hat embraces our celebrated hardiness for finding a way to enjoy the good things in life, whatever the weather.

Slip stitches form the diamonds that make up the waffle cone texture, while optional stripes give a hint of helter-skelter style amusements and Victorian piers stretching out into the sea. Like adding a flake to your ice cream, you can top this hat off with a pom-pom in a contrasting shade of your choice.

This hat is made in Appledore Aran, Knit by Numbers DK or Devonia DK, and is guaranteed to keep you warm whether on the beach or strolling to the shops for a well-deserved treat.

Yarn
DK
Single colour: MC: 50 (60, 70, 80, 90)g
Striped: MC: 35 (40, 50, 60, 65)g
CC1: 15 (20, 20, 25, 25)g
Plus, CC2: 25g for pom-pom

Aran
Single colour: MC: 65 (85, 90, 115, 125)g
Striped: MC: 45 (60, 70, 85, 90)g
CC1: 20 (25, 25, 35, 40)g
Plus, CC2: 25g for pom-pom

Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4, 5)
Toddler (child, small adult, medium adult, large adult)

Finished Measurements
a - Brim circumference: 34 (38, 42, 46, 50)cm / 13.25 (15, 16.5, 18, 19.5)”
b - Hat depth: 24 (27, 27, 30, 30)cm / 9.5 (10.5, 10.5, 12, 12)”
Designed to be worn with about 10cm / 4” negative ease around the brim.

Gauge
Measured over slip stitch and garter pattern using larger needles, after blocking:
DK: 21 sts x 42 rnds = 10 cm / 4” square
Aran: 19 sts x 38 rnds = 10 cm / 4” square

Needles
Circular knitting needles suitable for working small circumferences in the round:

DK: 3.5mm (US 4) and 3.75mm (UK 9 / US 5)
Aran: 4mm (UK 8 / US 6) and 4.5mm (UK 7 / US 7)

Always use a needle size that results in the correct gauge after blocking.

Samples shown in
Devonia (DK; 233m per 100g)
Sample shown is size 4 in Sandbar (MC) and
Burnished Bronze / Devonia Cream / Broken Flower (CC2)

Knit by Numbers (DK; 233m per 100g)
Sample shown is size 3 in KBN113 (MC) and
KBN115 (CC1), KBN08 (CC2)

Appledore (Aran; 167m per 100g)
Sample shown is size 4 in Quench (MC)

Notes
This pattern is worked in garter stitch with slipped cable stitches and a ribbed brim. You can alter the length of the brim by working fewer or more rounds of rib. If you want to alter the length of the main body, ensure you finish after Rnd 6 or Rnd 22, and follow the relevant crown instructions to maintain the slip stitch pattern.

You can work the main pattern in a single colour or in 2-colour stripes. If working in 2-colour stripes, carry the unused yarn up on the inside of the hat to avoid creating unnecessary ends to weave in.