Pierowall Tam
Pierowall Tam
Named for a village on the island of Westray, Orkney Islands, the Pierowall Tam is worked in the Fair Isle technique. With a 13.5-inch (34 cm) diameter, this is an oversized tam that provides a large canvas for the colored stitch patterns.
It begins with the Old Norwegian Cast-on (aka German Twisted Cast-on), which provides a firm yet elastic, non-curling base for the corrugated ribbing, then expands into alternating bands of peeries and large patterns, before decreasing into an 8-sided wheel.
The charts for this pattern use Mary Rowe’s notation for designating the colors. This system allows for easy color substitution if the knitter chooses a different palette. A color printer is not required to produce the easy-to-read charts.
To finish, 3 buttons are sewn to the ribbing for a dash of style.
Techniques Used:
• Decreases: k2tog, s2kp
• Increase: M1L (make one left)
• Knit, purl
• Old Norwegian Cast-on
• Stranded knitting
Yarn:
Fingering/sock/4 ply/14 wpi yarn.
Shown in Knit Picks Palette (100% Peruvian Highland Wool,
231 yd 211 m/50 g):
1 skein #23729 Black (A)
1 skein #24574 Majestic (B)
1 skein #26041 Haze Heather (C)
1 skein #24576 Aster (D)
1 skein # 25090 Pennyroyal (E)
1 skein #24565 Fairy Tale (F)
1 skein # 24573 Lady Slipper (G)
Needles:
Size 4 (3.5mm) 16-inch (40 cm) and 20-inch (65 cm) circular
needles and double pointed needles (dpns) or size needed to
obtain gauge
Notions:
Tapestry needle
Stitch marker
14” 35.5 cm diameter plate or plastic or cardboard circle (a cake board works well)
Optional: three ½” shank buttons, sewing needle and thread
Finished measurements:
22” headband circumference x 11” high (56 x 28 cm);
13.5” (34.5 cm) diameter
This pattern has been tech edited and test knit.
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Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Palette
Yarn weight: Fingering (14 wpi)
Gauge: 31 stitches and 33 rows = 4 inches in stranded stockinette
Needle size: US 4 - 3.5 mm
Yardage: 415 yards (379 m)