Science, Technology, Engineering and Math touch everyone’s life every day. Back in the day, each of those terms could bring anxiety to students, especially females . Now STEM is part of our educational culture that encourages us all to encourage children to learn to love (not fear) Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. As a knitter and designer, math is part of my life. A Computer Programmer back in the 1980’s, I was lucky enough to work for a company that had a 50/50 ratio of male and female programmers. I could read hexadecimal dumps, binary code, and punch Hollerith cards. I didn’t realize then how unusual that was for a woman. My daughter is a chemical engineer, my son a software Project Manager, so STEM was part of our lives before we ever heard the term.

Knit in 2 sizes with 2 colors of Cascade 220 Superwash Merino. The symbols in the border represent the four STEM paths: a DNA helix for Science; Bluetooth symbol for Technology; a Capacitor symbol for Engineering; and Pi for Math. The symbol border can be left out if desired for a plain STEMinist statement!
Smaller yarns with smaller needles can be substituted to make smaller sizes but instructions for doing so are not included here. Fingering, size 2 & 3 needles with 7 sts per inch, DK weight, size 4 & 5 needles with 6 sts per inch etc… Go up (for a slightly larger) or down (for a slightly smaller) a needle size if using regular Cascade 220 for a slightly larger / slightly smaller size.

One thing I found funny about this hat is my daughter’s reaction to it. She loves it (that is always good…) but said it is a single sex hat, for women only. I told her STEMinism is for all. She said STEMinist rhymes with FEMinist so everyone would think it’s female. I disagree, lol. Just because the words rhyme doesn’t equate them. What do you think? Perhaps a discussion for another day.
STEMinist comes in two sizes: Child/Small Adult & Large Adult.
Finished Circumference: approximately 19 (20) inches / 48.25 (51) cm
Finished Height: approximately 8.5 (8.5) inches / 23 (23) cm
Gauge: 22 sts x 29 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stranded stockinette stitch, blocked

Materials:
140 (150) yds / 129 (137) m MC Cascade Superwash Merino 220 in Red (or desired MC)
95 (100) yds / 88 (92) m CC Cascade Superwash Merino 220 in White (or desired CC)

US size 6 / 4 mm 16 or 24 inch circular needles OR size needed to obtain gauge
US size 5 / 3.75 mm 16 or 24 inch circular needles OR one size smaller than above needles
1 Set DPN’s same size as larger needles
3 stitch markers Sharp darning needle Faux Fur Pom Pom (optional)