Kulkulkan Hat Pattern

Suggested yarn: 1 skein of Emtothethird Yarn Co.'s Liminal (DK weight, 240 yards/100g) SHOP HERE

Size information: Small - 18" Circumference, Medium - 20" Circumference, Large - 22" Circumference

20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches

Recommended needle: US 6 (4 mm) OR size needed to obtain gauge.

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Kulkulkan, located at Chichén Itzá in Yucatàn, Mexico is the largest of the Mayan pyramids. The pyramid was built as a calendar; each of its four sides includes 91 steps which lead to a final shared platform at the very top, combined steps totalling 365. “Kulkulkan” also represents the Mayan deity, a feathered serpent whose mythos exists under many names all across Latin America.

On the Spring and Autumn equinoxes, the ingenuity of the Mayan architects gathers large crowds. As the sun sets, shadows cast across the steps of Kulkulkan create a representation of its namesake, and a serpent can be seen slithering its way down the side of the pyramid.

After visiting Chichén Itzá during the summer of 2018, I returned home inspired to work on a stitch pattern that represented Kulkulkan. I wanted to design an accessory that would keep me warm, the way the sun warms the stones of Kulkulkan. The stitch pattern on the Kulkulkan hat contains representations of both serpents and pyramids. I find it an intuitive and calming knit and hope you do, too.