The Design

“Enduring tradition and all-weather style.”

We love the tradition and history of ganseys—warm, durable, supple garments originally developed to protect seafarers from the cold and sea spray! This cute pillbox hat, with a flat circular top, pays tribute to that beloved sweater. We’ve provided two traditional gansey pattern charts, but you can also create your own!

We’ve knit this Seaworthy Gansey Cap in Rauma 3-tråds Strikkegarn, a wonderful, woolly workhorse wool. A 100% Norwegian-made yarn, from the sheep’s fleece to the mill it’s spun in, 3-tråds Strikkegarn is a light DK-weight yarn with lots of springy warmth. Resistant to pilling, it’s a perfect fit for this sturdy, all-weather cap!

The Details

FINISHED SIZE
Medium adult: Approx. 22"/56cm around. See the Knitters' Notes tab at right for more information on sizing.

YARN
2 skeins Rauma 3-tråds Strikkegarn (118 yds/108m); Or approx. 200 yds/183m of an equivalent light DK-weight yarn.

Sample shown in color 180.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US 2 (2.75mm) 16""/40cm circular and double-points, or size to obtain gauge. Note: We recommend metal needles for strength as this is a vigorous knit!
8 locking stitch markers (1 in a different color to designate beginning of round).
Darning needle to finish.
7½""/19cm diameter plate or circle of heavy cardboard for blocking.

GAUGE
26 sts/36 rounds = 4"/10cm in stockinette stitch, blocked.
26 sts/approx. 48 rounds = 4"/10cm in chart pattern, blocked.

Errata & Clarifications

KNITTER'S NOTES
This hat is designed to fit with little or no stretching so that the sides stand straight. If you wish to increase the size a little, you can fine tune the fit with blocking. For a smaller hat, you can work to a slightly tighter gauge on a smaller needle and block to fit.

This pattern provides two traditional gansey pattern charts—one simple and one more complex. It also tells you how to swap in your favorite texture chart.