Here is a pattern for a the hat that resembles those worn in the high mountains of the Andes. In the high Andes the style was originally made from the leather of a llamas leg, so it had a pointed top and ear flaps for warmth. Eventually, the talented women of the high mountains macramed the hats out of llama wool and dyed them beautiful jewel colors. They have become very fashionable amoung skiers and snowboarders, so my kid wanted one.
Here is a site with many original hats: Original Quechua hats
This is my version done in an easy crochet pattern. While I would some day like to tie a cord around my husband's head to get the right dimensions, and then tie the hundreds of fine cords into the the thousands of knots it takes to make the original versions, I just don't have the time.
Here is the easy way to get a warm sensible --yet kewl --- hat. My kid thinks it looks like an elf hat, and husband likes his too!
Materials:
3 oz of worsted weight yarn 1 oz. of yarn scraps or contrasting color I crochet hook (American)
Directions:
Crochet a foundation chain of 62 stitches and then if the intended victim... ahem... recipient is around -- check for fit around head. It should be a bit loose as there is drawing in when you crochet. Join chain with slip stitch. Mark begining of round. Begin to single crochet around the hat and then single crochet for 10 rounds for a childs hat or 12 rounds for an adult.
Add contrasting colors for five rounds. This is similar to the beautiful embroidery on the real Quechua hats. To make it look more authentic, you could make this section a light color then embroider over it later to finish the hat. I'm usually more pressed for time.
Then return to main color for four rounds.
Decrease:
To Shape peak of the hat decrease by crocheting two stitches together every four stitches for one round. Then work three rounds even.
Decrease in same manner for a round.
Work two rows even.
Decrease in same manner for a round.
Work one row even.
Decrease in same manner spiraling up the hat. You should be shaping a nice pointy peak.
When you are down to eight stitches, decrease by crocheting two together around until you have one stitch left. Break of yarn and pull through stitch to end.
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