As a knitter from the Aran Islands, I know that most hats there are needed to keep you warm and dry: a hat with a hole at the top means you’ll get wet! However, as the Aran style has travelled the world, it has proven capable of adapting to modern fashion, and the Aran Messy Bun Hat is no exception. Designed to let your messy bun or ponytail flow out of the top, this beanie style hat is knit in the round, on two sizes of circular needles, and features criss-crossing cables that rise seamlessly from the brim to the crown.

The cabling pattern is not overly complicated, but there is some adjusting of the stitch marker to ensure that the cabling pattern stays seamless throughout. I would consider this a pattern suitable for intermediate knitters.

Sizing: The beanie comes in three sizes: Small: Sized for a child: hat circumference 16 inches/41 cm (unworn) Medium: Sized for Adult Woman Small: hat circumference 17 inches/44 cm (unworn) Large: Sized for Adult Woman Large: hat circumference 18 inches/46 cm (unworn)

All hats measure 8 inches/20.5 cm from brim to crown. In all hats, the hole at the top measures 7 inches/18 cm in circumference. The ribbing allows for some stretch, and a comfortable fit.

Yarn: Suitable for any Aran yarn. However, Aran yarn can vary greatly in thickness: instructions are given on which size would best suit your yarn gauge.