Inspired by the colors and markings of downy woodpeckers, the Downy Hat is a stranded-color toque worked in four colors of DK weight yarn. It’s knit in the round, from the bottom up. The pattern provides instructions for four sizes.

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Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4)

Blocked Measurements: 16 (18, 20, 22) inches/41 (46, 51, 56) cm circumference (unstretched); 9 (9, 9.25, 9.25) inches/23 (23, 24, 24) cm length.

This hat is designed to be worn with a small amount of negative ease—choose a size that is about 1 inch/2.5 cm smaller than the wearer’s actual head circumference. The sample hat in the photos is Size 3 and was modeled with approximately 1 inch/2.5 cm negative ease.

Yarn
Buachaille by Kate Davies Designs 100% wool; 120yd/110m per 50g skein, one skein each of Highland Coo (Color A), Haar (Color B), Squall (Color C), and Ptarmigan (Color D)

If you are substituting yarns, you’ll need DK weight wool in four colors—Color A: 55 (60, 65, 70) yds/51 (55, 60, 65) m; Color B: 50 (55, 60, 65) yds/45 (51, 55, 60) m; Color C 25 (30, 35, 40) yds/23 (28, 32, 37) m; Color D: 20 (25, 30, 35) yds/18 (23, 28, 32) m.

Needles
--US #4/3.5mm and US #5/3.75mm 16-inch circular needles OR SIZE NEEDED TO OBTAIN GAUGE
--US #5/3.75mm double-pointed needles

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers; optional: pom-pom maker

Gauge: 24 sts/28 rnds = 4”/10 cm in stockinette stitch on larger needle, after blocking

The stitch patterns are provided in charts.