This beanie is inspired by our native Australian Yam Daisy, the Murnong. This plant once grew in abundance across the Southern Tablelands, and was an essential part of the local Indigenous peoples diets. However the Murnong seldom survives in heavily grazed pastures and their yellow flowers have become a rare sight as their numbers have depleted. At Millpost, we hold this plant dear and seeing their yellow heads bobbing in the paddocks let us know that our native grassy woodlands are thriving and healthy.
The wonderful Georgie (Tikki Knits) designed this beanie for us, drawing on the nodding flower heads of the Murnong to create this unique and lovely pattern.
Here's Georgie's description of the pattern:
The sweet imagery of the Murnong is captured in the upper half of this beanie in a stitch reminiscent of the dandelion-like flower head. These delicate flowers sit counterposed to the pin stripes that lead into a chunky 1x1 ribbed brim. The variety of stitch patterns make for a rhythmic knit resulting in beanie just perfect for bushwalking or city strolling. Murnong is knit seamless in the round from the brim upwards.
Construction: Murnong begins neatly at the brim with an alternative tubular cast-on. From there it is knit bottom up with stripes and a sweet little lifted-stitch pattern reminiscent of the murnong flower. Decreases are used to shape the crown.
Sizing: To fit head size of 12/30.5, 14/35.5, 16/40.5, 18/45.5, 20/51, 22/56, 24/61 inches/cms. Actual hat length (with brim folded): 5¼/13.5, 6/15, 7¼/18.5, 8½/21.5, 9/23, 10/25.5, 11/28 inches/cms.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Techniques used: Knit and purl Tubular cast-on Decreasing Working in the round on circular needles Lifted stitches
Yardage: DK/8ply weight yarn in two different colours; Main Colour: 44/40 (55/50, 66/60, 82/75) 104/95, 126/115, 148/135yards/metres Contrast Colour: 38/35 (49/45, 60/55, 76/70) 93/85, 109/100, 131/120yards/metres
Original yarn is a worsted spun superfine Australian merino grown under permaculture practices.
Yardage is approximate and may vary depending on your knitting style and yarn selection.
Samples use Dusty Pink and Mustard and is shown in Adult size.
