Experience Level: Intermediate

Swirl through space and time with a spiral of stars at the crown of your head. The Black Hole Beanie is a beaded hat that is, simply put: out of this world. It’s as fun to make as it is to wear and you don’t need a degree in astrophysics to knit it. The combination of bead colors and yarn is infinite… much like the universe!

Construction Details
Beads are strung onto the yarn before working the hat. The hat is worked from the crown of the hat towards the brim. Since the beads are gathered more densely at the top of the hat, the construction allows the knitter to work the majority of their beads right at the beginning of the project. This means there will be less wear-and-tear on the yarn as beads move along the strands. Pattern is written in words and in chart form. Knit according to preference.

Techniques Necessary
• Stringing beads onto yarn using a large-eye beading needle or dental floss threader
• Invisible Circular Cast On (description for a modified version is provided on pattern)
• Knit
• Purl
• Increases (yo, m1 and kfb)
• Slip stitch with yarn (and bead) in front
• Decrease (k2tog)
• Bind off (optional: working an Invisible Ribbed Bind Off)

Videos related to this hat:
How to work Stranded Bead Knitting
How to work the Modified Invisible Circular Cast On

Size: Adult Medium

Finished Measurements: 19” circumference x 8.75” depth

Yarn: DK weight yarn (CYCA #3) 140 yards.
Hat shown in Zen Yarn Garden “Superfine DK” (100% superfine superwash merino wool; 250 yds / 100 g).

Gauge: 20 sts and 32 rows = 4” in circular stockinette stitch on size 6 (4 mm) needles.

Needle: US 6 (4 mm) 16” circular needles and DPN or size needed for gauge, and US 5 (3.5 mm) 16” circular needle or one size smaller than gauge needle. Adjust needle size as necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Beads: 272 size 6/0 round (approx. 3.3mm circumference with a hole size of 1.7mm) glass seed beads. Matsuno Dyna-Mites brand seed beads were used in sample.

Additional materials: large eye beading needle or dental floss threader, 4 stitch markers, row counter, tapestry needle.

Additional Notes:
• It is recommended that you use the magic loop or 2-circulars method to begin the hat as stitches increase rapidly and closely. If you prefer DPN, make sure you are using longer DPN needles – about 6-8” long or more.
• Avoid using yarns that are densely spun (cottons, for example) as the beads may not fit over the yarn. Also avoid yarns that are too soft (100% or majority cashmere) or single-ply as the weight and movement of the beads may break or shred the yarn.
• The cast on and bind offs referenced in this pattern can be found in the book “Cast On, Bind Off”. Bestor, Leslie Ann. (2012). Cast On, Bind Off. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing.