I really can’t resist a challenge, especially if it involves a knitting or crochet technique I have never tried. Enter the Brioche Beanie. This is not for the feint hearted. If you’ve never done any brioche knitting before then go back and practice some plain brioche, followed by some plain two-colour brioche before trying this ‘cable look’ pattern.

I made two beanies following along with a YouTube video “Brioche knitting Interweave hat knitting patterns” by Happy Knitter at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TghJ5b9CXOw&t=1061s.

I have to admit I took about five tries before managing to complete both these hats. By tries, I mean that I got lost in the middle of the pattern and had to pull it out and start all over again. I did say I can’t resist a challenge.

I am very pleased with the results. I made a green and yellow version in 100% acrylic then a blue and orange one in 100% wool. When I made the second one I omitted half the initial ribbing so that I don’t have to fold the brim because I find that beanies fit me better that way and also they look a lot less like a 1980s throwback.