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Belle Starr Hat

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Skill Level: Easy

Materials: Approximately 100 yards of DK weight handspun bison fiber, or any similar weight commercially-spun yarn.

Needles: Size 6 US (4 mm) circular and double-pointed needles

Gauge: 5 stitches per inch measured over stockinette stitch

Finished Size: 21 inches in circumference after blocking

Pattern Notes:
This simple lace bordered hat features a 4-row repeat arrowhead lace pattern, tapering to points framing the face. The crown of the hat is worked in a star decrease. The original pattern was knit from a 2-ply handspun bison fiber, but may be knit successfully using any appropriate DK-weight commercial yarn.

The pattern takes its name from the infamous female outlaw, Belle Starr, who gained notoriety due to her alleged participation in a gold robbery in 1873. Following that, Belle continued to lead a life of a Wild West outlaw, spending much of her time drinking and gambling. At times, she rode through the streets shooting off her pistols, stories which gave rise to her somewhat exaggerated image as an outlaw. She died just shy of 41, killed by a shotgun blast, as she returned to her ranch in Oklahoma after a visit to town. Her murderer was never found.

Hat Instructions:
Using US size 6 (4-mm) circular needles, cast on 90 stitches loosely. Note: You may find it helpful to place a marker after each 10-stitch section to help keep your place once you begin the arrowhead lace pattern. This will also help when you begin the crown decreases.

Begin working chart with round one, working rounds 1 through 4. (Note that all even rows are knit.) Repeat rounds 1 through 4 until the hat measures 4-1/2 from the cast-on edge. End with round 2 or round 4.

Knit one round of plain stockinette (knit all stitches).

Begin crown decreases: