Amethyst Beanie

From across the room it looks almost dark, deep aubergine, nearly the colour of a plum skin. Then you come closer and the squares flash pink, marigold and lilac out of cream centres, the way an amethyst shows its fire only when you turn it in the hand. A beanie with a secret. It pulls straight on, snug and warm, finished with a ribbed turn-up brim and a pom-pom at the crown. Wear it with a black coat and let it be the only colour you carry. Hand-crocheted squares, the colours arriving in whatever order the making gave them.