Leftovers! We all have them. This hat is a great stashbuster, designed to use up scrap yarns in dk or light worsted weight. Grab your leftover yarns and start knitting!
The sample used one colour for the ribbing and the crown plus eight contrast colours for the colourwork. Other colour options are suggested in the pattern. The instructions for the colourwork and crown are written only but several colouring in charts are provided for colour choices.
The pattern suits a knitter who is already comfortable with two colour stranded colourwork but the colourwork is simple and intuitive and you don’t need to catch the floats.
Gauge: 20 stitches and 27 rows in stranded colourwork using your larger needles after blocking. Differences in gauge will affect the size of the finished hat and your yarn usage.
Sizing: The pattern is written for 2 sizes. Size M suits the average woman’s head. The sample was blocked on a balloon inflated to 55 cm (21.6 inches) and the model has a 56 cm (22 inch) head. Size L suits men’s heads up to 61 cm (24 inches) or suits those who prefer a larger hat.
Needle sizes: 3.75mm (US 5) and 4.00mm (US 6). Needle size is just a recommendation and you should change needle sizes if required to obtain gauge. The pattern can be worked on a short circular, a long circular using magic loop or on dpns. If using a short circular needle you will need to swap to dpns or magic loop as you work the crown.
Yarn: The pattern can be worked in up to 10 colours of leftovers of dk/light worsted weight yarns (200m/220 yards per 100g/3.5 oz). The sample was made with 9 colours. You can use any yarn of similar metreage that gives you the right gauge. Colouring in charts are provided for you to play with colour combos.
Estimated yarn amounts, based on dk/light worsted yarns with 200 m (220 y) per 100g for size M (L): Brim and first round of colourwork: 15 (20)g; colourwork: 5 (7)g each of 8 colours; OR 40-55g of yarn in your preferred colour combos; crown and last round of colorwork: 15 (20)g. Some testers used a little more of the contrast colours, so it may be wise to have a bit more on hand.
Other supplies: Tapestry needle, stitch marker, tape measure, balloon for blocking (optional). An accurate set of scales for weighing small amounts is useful, but not absolutely necessary.