When I first saw the Curlew Hat design, I was immediately drawn in. Partly for the cause - the RSPB has long had a place in my heart - but mostly because I knew, in an instant, that it would sing in our undyed shades. There’s something special about a pattern that feels *just right* for the yarn you know so well. This one had that feeling.

I hadn’t come across Curlew Action before, but I was glad to discover them. Their mission to raise awareness of one of our most iconic, and most threatened, native birds is one I’m very happy to support. I’ve always had a deep-rooted love of wildlife, partly from growing up with it - my father was heavily involved in conservation, and our cottage in Dorset backed straight onto heathland - and partly from living here on the farm, where the soundtrack is more often birdsong than traffic.

The hat itself was a joy to knit. A clear pattern, a lovely chart, and no major faffs - which, for me, is quite something. I usually can’t resist adjusting a pattern here or there (I do have a habit of tweaking as I go), but in this case, I stuck to the instructions completely. If I were to knit it again, I might go down a needle size for the main body of the hat, just to make it a touch more windproof. But really, it came out beautifully as is.

I chose to knit mine in Number 2, our sportweight yarn that seems made for colourwork. It has just the right amount of bite - enough to help the stitches settle neatly together, but still soft enough to wear next to the skin. I went for Owl as the main shade, then added Smoke, Moorit, Driftwood and Harrier for the contrast tones. Harrier’s a marl, which I think added a lovely bit of depth and balance. That’s the joy of neutrals - no fighting for attention, just quiet harmony.

The knitting itself was fairly quick, but not mindless. There’s enough interest in the chart to keep you thinking, without feeling like you’ve signed up for a puzzle. I finished it in early summer, so it hasn’t had much wear yet - though my nephew did cast a rather hopeful eye over it when he visited. For now, it’s on display in the shop, but I might need to keep it out of reach when the weather turns…

What I love about projects like this is that they bring two things together: the joy of making, and the chance to raise awareness. The curlew is such a hauntingly beautiful bird - long-legged, long-billed, and with a call that’s unmistakable once you’ve heard it. I’m lucky enough to have spotted one not far from the farm. One of my regular walks with Meg takes us past some wetter, rougher ground, and I’ve seen one there a few times. At first I thought it might be a snipe, but once I remembered to bring my binoculars, I got a proper look as it took off. I haven’t heard it call yet - not there, anyway - but I’ll be keeping my ears open.

As a child, I remember seeing more of them, especially where we lived on the Isle of Purbeck. My brother and I would turn our daily dog walks into games of wildlife one-upmanship - “I saw a woodcock!” “Well I saw a curlew!” - that sort of thing. You don’t forget the birds you grew up with.

It’s heartbreaking how steep the decline has been, and it does make you think about the impact of changing land use and intensive farming. Which is why knitting something like this feels worthwhile. It’s a small act, but it connects you - to the landscape, to the seasons, to a cause that matters. Using undyed, natural wool only deepens that connection. Especially if you’re lucky enough to be knitting outdoors with the birds singing around you.

If you’re thinking of casting one on, I’d say go for it. It’s approachable for a beginner, especially if you’ve never worked from a chart before - this one’s very clear. But it’s interesting enough to keep experienced knitters engaged, too. I’ve seen some lovely versions on Ravelry with all sorts of creative tweaks, and I’ve been quietly eyeing up some yarns currently working their way through the mill… no spoilers just yet, but there might be a second Curlew Hat in my future.

Whether you’re knitting for the birds, the wool, or just because you fancy a new hat - it’s a lovely project. And if you do cast one on, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

- Sally