Please be sure to check out my blog post with helpful tips about duplicate stitch: https://bridgetpupillodesigns.com/2019/09/14/hedgehogs-part-three-duplicate-stitch/

A fun little stranded knitting project, this beanie features cute squirrels and acorns bordered by a Fair Isle motif. It’s a quick and fun sampler hat and matches well with the Acorn Fingerless Mitts design. The pattern includes instructions for three hat sizes. A second version of the squirrel motif is included with only two colors per row, for those who choose to use the duplicate stitch method to add extra colors after knitting is complete. Try changing the background color for a different look!

This pattern includes three sizes: Toddler, Adult Small, and Adult Large, to fit a head circumference of 18 (20, 22)” or 46 (51, 56) cm.

The gauge is 28 sts and 29 rows over 4” (10cm) in stranded Stockinette Stitch, blocked.

This is an intermediate level pattern. Knitters should have experience with stranded knitting technique, long carries, and following color charts. Knitters will also use basic decreases to shape the hat. Since the squirrel motif in this pattern call for up to four colors in a row, some knitters may opt to use the duplicate stitch technique.

For this design I used Knit Picks Palette(100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 231 yards/50g). To make any of the three hats you will need 1 ball each of White (#23728), Doe (#24240), Hazelnut (#24563), Marble Heather (#24244), Garnet Heather (#24015), and Black (#23729).

You will also need 16” (40cm) circular needles and DPNs in size US 4 (3.5 mm), or size to obtain gauge, and 16” (40cm) circular needles in size US 3 3.25 mm, or one size smaller than size to obtain gauge.

This pattern includes a full color chart, a two-color chart for optional duplicate stitch, and written instructions.