I love the solstices and equinoxes of the year – they are like balancing points between seasons that mark our progress through the year. It’s fascinating to think of that one brief moment in time, the tipping point, just before the short days start to gradually become longer, or when the day and night are equal. It feels as though time has stopped for a breath, a heartbeat, as our world hangs in perfect balance before the rhythm of its changes resume.

The Vernal Equinox, which usually occurs around March 20 in the northern hemisphere, is one of my favorite balancing moments. The earth is springing to life again, trees are budding out, birds are beginning to migrate, the first bulbs are starting to send shoots up towards the sunlight. I feel like the theme of balance is so well illustrated by plants in springtime; the roots that have been developing underground during the winter are now matched by the first green leaves above the soil. The Vernal Equinox Hat illustrates the first plants of spring and their roots, as well as the balance between night and day, dark and light. The sky that bustles with migrating birds during the day is filled with twinkling stars at night.

The Vernal Equinox hat is a straightforward stranded colorwork knit in worsted weight yarn using only two colors, plus a contrast color for the ribbed brim. It is knitted in the round on a circular needle using double points for the crown decreases, and the colorwork is worked from a chart. Two sizes can be made, a 19” circumference that will fit large children’s and small adult heads, and a 21.25” circumference that will fit medium to large adult heads. Size is adjusted by needle size and gauge; otherwise the chart and directions are the same for both sizes. Yarn amounts needed for each color are small, so this is a great project for leftovers.

Skills required:
• Long tail cast on
• Knit and purl stitches
• Stranded color stockinette knitting
• Knitting in the round

Size: Two sizes: 19” circumference, 8” tall (21.25” circumference, 8.5” tall)

Gauge: 20 sts and 24 rnds (18 sts and 22 rnds) = 10cm (4”) in stranded color stockinette in the round.

Yarn Amounts:

• 144 Limestone (green) – 25 (30) yds
• 110 Blueberry (dark blue) – 65 (75) yds
• 115 Bit of Blue (light blue) – 65 (75) yds