Cichlid Hat

Bamboo Bloom Handpaints, the yarn used for the body of this hat is striking and unique. When worked in modest stockinette stitch, the colors in this yarn play together beautifully. The way this yarn works up is reminiscent of the interesting patterning seen on many cichlid varieties of fish.  

Cichlid Hats  
Designed by Rachel Brockman  

SIZES  
Toddler (Child, Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large)  
Adult Small sample pictured.  

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS  
Height: 9¾ (10¾, 11¼, 11¾, 12¼)" with brim uncuffed (excluding pom pom); 7¾ (8½, 8¾, 9, 9½)" with brim cuffed (excluding pom pom)  
Brim Circumference: 12¾ (14½, 16, 17½, 19¼)" unstretched, stretches to approx. 18¼ (20, 21½, 23, 24¾)"  

MATERIALS  
Version 1  
Universal Yarn Bamboo Bloom Handpaints (48% rayon from bamboo, 44% wool, 8% acrylic; 100g/154 yds)  
• 305 Kimono (A) - 1 skein, all sizes

Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted Superwash (100% superwash wool; 100g/218 yds)  
• 743 Bashful Pink (B) - 1 ball, all sizes  

Version 2  
Universal Yarn Bamboo Bloom Handpaints (48% rayon from bamboo, 44% wool, 8% acrylic; 100g/154 yds)  
• 318 Emperor (A) - 1 skein, all sizes

Universal Yarn Deluxe Worsted Superwash (100% superwash wool; 100g/218 yds)  
• 765 Grape Rustic (B) - 1 ball, all sizes  

Needles: US Size 5 (3.75 mm) 16" circular and set of DPNs or size needed to obtain gauge  
US Size 7 (4.5 mm) 16" circular and set of dpns or size needed to obtain gauge  
Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle  

GAUGE  
20 sts x 24 rows = 4" in Stockinette stitch with color A and larger ndl  
25 sts x 32 rnds = 4" in K1, P1 Twisted Rib with color B and smaller ndl  
Save time, check your gauge.  

PATTERN NOTES  
The Cichlid Hats are worked in the round from the bottom up. The twisted ribbing fits snugly around the forehead but body of the hat is quite slouchy due to the difference in gauge between the two yarns used.

A blog post about this pattern can be found at this link.