At this time in our lives, we are separated from everything and everyone. Social distancing. Isolation. Quarantine. It’s sad what is happening with the Coronavirus Covid-19 going around the world. But one by one and all together we can help flatten the curve by staying home. However, don’t distance yourself from everyone. Please stay in touch somehow, someway. Text messaging, instant messaging, social media, etc. are all ways we can continue to STAY CONNECTED while continuing to STAY SAFE!

The Stay Connected beanie is worked in either wool or acrylic (or the fiber of your choice.) Don’t hesitate to dig through your stash and mix fibers. The sample was made in a size M with 99y/90.5m of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Orange and 48.2/y44m of Knit Picks Brava Worsted in Asphalt Heather. It’s what I had in my stash when the pattern struck me, so it’s what I used.

The beanie is stranded with only two colors, and perfect for both the beginner and seasoned stranded-knitter. The pattern is written but also charted for the colorwork design. It has a nice rhythm to it and is easy to memorize.

Due to the beanie being stranded, it is double the warmth! Perfect for those lingering cold spring mornings in the Northern Hemisphere, the early coolness of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, or for a head start on winter knitting. Whatever your case may be for knitting this beanie, I sure hope you enjoy it and it helps keep you connected.

Knitting Notions & Notes
Worsted weight yarn in the following approximate amounts
•95y/87 meters MC, 45y/41m CC for size S (20-21”/50.8-53.3cm)
•100y/91.4m MC, 50y/45.7 CC for size M (21-22”/53.3-55.9cm)
•110y/100.6m MC, 57y/52.1 CC for size L (22-23”/55.9-58.4cm)
•120y/110m MC, 64y/58.5m for CC for size XL (23-24”/57.4-61cm)
depending on your brim length, overall hat length, and gauge, you may use more/less
•Sz 5 US(3.75mm) 16”/40cm circular needles
•Sz 7 US(4.5mm) 16”/40cm circular needles or size needed to obtain gauge
• Scissors
• Stitch Markers (1 unique, extras for pattern repeats if you desire)
• Tape or Ruler
•Tapestry or Darning Needle

Gauge
Gauge is in colorwork pattern at 20 stitches and 20 rows = 4”/10cm.

Colorwork/Fair Isle/Stranding Techniques
Everyone seems to have their own way of knitting in Fair Isle or stranded colorwork. Here’s a YouTube video that shows different ways of Stranding in the Round. But one thing that can help your patterns pop is being aware of color dominance. While there are many articles and videos on the internet, here is a great blog post to explain this technique:
Stranded Knitting: The Importance of Color Dominance

As with all of my patterns, the entire Stay Connected pattern, including the colorwork chart, has a copyright which solely belongs to me at Olive & Pearl Knits. The pattern may not be freely shared or resold. All purchases are final due to the pattern being an automatic download at the time of purchase. You may sell finished items, however,I do ask that mass production for sale should be guarded against out of respect for the designer and pattern. When selling finished items, please link the design back to me either here at Ravelry, on Facebook, on Instagram or on my blog.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me here on Ravelry or via email at OliveAndPearlKnits @ gmail.com.

A big huge thank you to Kate for naming the pattern. It fits perfectly!