The Birds of a Feather Tam is now available for purchase as a download, for $4.00 either on Ravelry, or directly through the blog buy clicking the buy now button.

A surprisingly simple knit that combines colorwork and lace, to create a wreath of sitting birds, and a star of feathers. Knit in worsted weight yarn on size 6 needles this hat knits up surprisingly quickly, even with the lace and the colorwork.
Originally knit to be smaller, and simply perch on the head, this pattern includes instructions for a slouchier version as well. The band of ribbing around the edge means that this tam will stretch to fit most head sizes, even though it was originally designed for a 22” head.

 

This tam has options for a slouchier version, as well as a more fitted version.
This pattern only includes charts, and not written out stitch patterns.

Yarn: 220 yards (201 m) total of Valley Yarns Colrain or another worsted or aran weight yarn
120 yards (110 m) of the main color
100 yards (91 m) of the contrasting color

Needles: 1 set of US size 6 (4.00mm) DPNs
(optional) 1 US size 6 (4.00mm) 16″ circular
(optional 1 set of US size 8 (5.00mm) DPNs

Notions: a dinner plate or pot lid for blocking over
(optional, but recommended) 8 stitch markers

Gauge: 5.5sts/inch; 7 rows/inch on US size 6s, in the round, in stockinette stitch

Size: 22″ diameter (though will stretch to fit a wide variety of head sizes)

Skills Used:
casting on
reading charts
weaving in ends
knitting and purling
color work (either fair isle or intarsia could be used)
working in the round on DPNs
working in the round on circulars (optional)
yarn over
knit two stitches together
slip, slip knit