‘Giorraíonn beirt bóthar’ is an old Irish proverb which means ‘Two shorten the road’. The Beirt (pronounced Bert) Beanie Set features two side-by-side little cables which illustrate this proverb perfectly! The zig-zag stitch pattern, which is commonly seen in Aran knitting, often symbolises two people travelling together along life’s winding paths. This traditional Aran motif has been adapted here to create a seamless beanie with matching cowl. As a knitter from the Aran Islands, I love adapting the Aran style to suit modern knitters.

The hat is sized for an adult, and comes in three sizes, Small, Medium and Large. The Small size would equate to a traditional women’s size, and the Large would equate to a traditional men’s size. The pattern is easy to adjust in size, as the cabling pattern works on an 8 stitch repeat - you can cast on 8 less for a child-sized hat, or 16 less for a baby-sized hat.

The pattern is writted for DK, or light worsted, yarns. The knitting needles required are 4mm/US6 and 4.5mm/US7 circular needles, but here is some leeway given that DK yarns can vary a little in thickness. I would suggest being guided by the needle size recommended for the yarn you are using. Regarding yarn, I would suggest a requirement of 120m/130yds) for the smallest size, knit without the matching cowl.

The cabling pattern is not overly complicated; working a 8 stitch repeat - I would consider this a pattern suitable for improving and intermediate knitters. Written AND charted instructions are included (as well as bonus notes on creating a matching coffee cup cosy!)

Notions (or knitting tools) required are a cable needle, stitch marker (to mark the start of each round) and a tapestry (or knitter’s) sewing needle (for weaving in the yarn ends). The finished hat is seamless, so minimal finishing is required!

The pattern has been test knitted, and the test knitters found that it was quick to work up - a bonus for any gift knitter!