Sometimes the yarn just tells me what it wants to be. It’s up to me to figure out the project to optimize yarn usage and ensure that the colors play well with each other.

Wendy of Amanda Hope Yarn is a dyeing wizard, and her color palette really speaks to me. It was natural, when time came to choose a birthday treat, to gift myself a mini skein set from her shop.

When the set arrived, these two colors practically jumped out of the package and asked to be knit together, using a bold stranded motif that would allow them to gently contrast. I wasted no time casting on.

That’s the back story of the Wendy’s Blossoms Hat, and a little peek into my design process.

I used two overweight mini skeins to knit the S/M size sample. I ran out of the main color with five rounds remaining. Fortunately, I had just enough contrasting color to finish, with just 10” (25 cm) remaining. I did not write this “yarn catastrophe” into the pattern, but feel free to change colors for the last 5 rounds if you like the look!

Please note that this pattern is largely charted, with no written instructions for the crown decreases.

Techniques:
German twisted cast on
Knit 2 together and centered double decreases
Stranded knitting
Make 1 increases
Corrugated ribbing

Materials Needed:
Yarn:
106 (132) yds / 97 (121) m of two contrasting colors of fingering weight superwash singles yarn
Sample knit with Amanda Hope Yarn Aussie Extra Fine Singles.

Needles:
Size 4 US/ 3.5 mm 16” (41 cm) circular needles or size needed to achieve gauge and your choice of size 4 US/ 3.5 mm DPNs or longer circular needle for small circumference knitting

Notions:
Stitch marker to mark beginning of round
Optional stitch markers to mark repeats
Tapestry needle

Measurements:
Gauge: 26 st and 31 rounds in stranded pattern equals 4”/ 10 cm after light blocking.

Finished dimensions:
Circumference: 19.5 (22)” / 50 (56) cm
Total height cuff to crown: 9 (10)” / 23 (25.5) cm

This pattern has been professionally tech edited and test knit. If you find a mistake, need pattern support, or are interested in private knitting lessons please write to info@theknittingtutor.net.