Simple stranded colorwork with a modern graphic design, Venn Diagrams combines traditional fit with geometric contemporary visual style. For the samples, I used a combination of bold and neutral colors, suitable for both men and women; color choices are endless, allowing you to select the perfect match of colors for the wearer. Venn Diagrams is one of a bundle of modern stranded hats featuring strong motifs for fresh style, and is pictured with some of the companion designs. Techniques & Skills Used: Twisted German CO, knit/purl, stranded colorwork, decreasing, working in the round. Colorwork is charted only. Size: 19” brim circumference and 9” tall, unstretched. The pattern consists of a 13 st and 18 row repeat, and accommodates heads from 20 – 23” in circumference; to adjust the size further, go up or down a needle size. Yarn: Cascade 220 (100% peruvian highland wool; 220 yards/200m/100g), Harrisville Designs Harrisville Highland (100% pure virgin wool; 200 yards/182m/100g), Patons Wool Worsted (100% wool; 210 yards/192m/ 100g), Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok Worsted (100% fine highland wool; 123 yards/112m/50g). . . .
Down Arrows
Simple stranded colorwork with a modern graphic design, Down Arrows combines traditional technique with contemporary visual style. For the samples, I used a combination of bold and neutral colors, suitable for both men and women; color choices are endless, allowing you to select the perfect match of colors for the wearer. Down Arrows is one of a bundle of modern stranded hats featuring strong motifs for fresh style, and is pictured with some of the companion designs. Techniques & Skills Used: Twisted German CO, knit/purl, stranded colorwork, decreasing, working in the round. Colorwork is charted only. Size: 20” brim circumference and 9” tall, unstretched. The pattern consists of a 24 st and 18 row repeat, and accommodates heads from 20 – 23” in circumference; to adjust the size further, go up or down a needle size. Yarn: Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd’s Wool Worsted (100% merino wool; 250 yards/229m/113g), Patons Wool Worsted (100% wool; 210 yards/192m/100g). Brown hat shown in Stonehedge Midnight Lake (A) and Lilac (B), purple hat shown in Stonehedge Lilac (A) and Patons . . .
Rib Run
There’s nothing more classic than a ribbed hat, and Rib Run adds just a little twist by morphing the ribs into twining cables that run from brim to crown. Techniques & Skills Used: Twisted German CO, knit/purl, cables, decreasing, working in the round; instructions for stitch patterns are both written and charted. Size: 18.75” brim circumference and 8.5” tall, unstretched, shown on a 22” head. The rib-based pattern is very stretchy and easily accommodates heads from 20 – 23” in circumference; to adjust the size further, go up or down a needle size. Yarn: Brim Collections Breakfast DK (100% merino wool; 230 yards/210m/100g), shown in Earl Grey; 1 skein, or approximately 175 yards of DK weight wool yarn. Other Materials: US 4 (3.5mm) 16” circular needle for brim and US 6 (4mm) 16” circular needle or size to match gauge for body; cable needle; Stitch markers (5); Yarn needle. Gauge: 25.5 st and 36 rows/4” in cable pattern, unstretched after blocking; 1 cable repeat of 24 st and 36 rows equals 3.75” wide and 4” . . .
Courser Hat
Four ribbing-based textured stitch patterns combine in a slouchy hat that is completely reversible. The combination of knits, purls and slipped stitches is highly effective with variegated yarns, and equally beautiful in semi-solids. Construction: Worked in the round from the bottom up, Courser alternates bands of welted slipstitch with broken rib and reverse broken rib. The brim is plain ribbing that transitions perfectly into the stitch patterns, adding a strong vertical element to the horizontal textures. The reverse side of each pattern is more nubby but just as beautiful, making the hat attractive on both sides and completely reversible when finished carefully. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, slipped stitches, decreasing, working in the round; instructions for stitch patterns are fully written. Size: S (M, L); 16 (19.25, 22.5)” brim circumference and 8.5 (9, 9.5)” tall, unstretched; sample shown in size M. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Rios (100% superwash merino wool; 210 yards/ 192m/100g), shown in Candombe; 1 skein, or approximately 115 (145, 175) yards of worsted weight wool yarn. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) for brim and US 8 . . .
Embrace Me Mitts
Embrace Me Mitts are the second pattern in the Winter 2015-2016 Shalimar Yarns Indulge Me! Club, and feature an exclusive, embraceable color of Breathless Cush yarn. For more information about Kristi’s lovely bases and colorways, check out Shalimar Yarns. Luxurious bulky yarn and a subtle Crossover Twist stitch pattern make these fingerless mitts special. Written in two sizes, they feature an atypical thumb gusset which creates a natural fit that is both comfortable and elegant. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, working in the round. Size: S/M (M/L); 6.5 (7.5)” length and 7 (8)” palm circumference, measured flat and unstretched. Yarn: Shalimar Yarns Breathless Cush (75% superwash merino wool, 15% cashmere, 10% silk; 145 yards/132m/114g), size M/L shown in Embrace Me; 1 skein, or approximately 90 (100) yards of chunky weight yarn. Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) dpns or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (2); Stitch holder; Yarn needle. Gauge: 16 st and 22 rows/4” in Crossover Twist stitch pattern and in stockinette stitch, . . .
Seedstripes
Worked in the round from the top down, Seedstripes is an earflap hat that is full of interest. Disappearing loop cast on, textured knitting and a few simple, well-placed short rows combine for an engaging knit; add a pompom for even more fun! Techniques & Skills Used: disappearing loop CO, knit/purl, short rows, increasing/decreasing. This pattern includes links to my disappearing loop CO and short row tutorials. Size: S (M, L) to fit about 20 (22, 24)” head circumference; hat measures 17.75 (20, 22.25)” circumference and 8.5 (9, 10)” height at earflap. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool; 210 yards/192m/100g); 1 skein, or approximately 140 (150, 175) yards of worsted weight yarn. Sample size Small shown in Natural. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 16” circular needle or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; US 5 dpns or circular needle for CO; Stitch markers (4); Yarn needle. Gauge: 18 st and 34 rows/4” in seed stitch, after blocking. See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or . . .
Truffle Hunter
A rolled stockinette edge, asymmetric ribbing and a subtly delicate textured stitch make Truffle Hunter a special hat of distinction. Short rows both shape the brim and add extra slouch at the nape, and the simple stitch pattern brings precious appeal to both sides of the fabric. Finished carefully, the hat is fully reversible for two lovely and unmistakably unique looks. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, short rows, decreasing. This pattern includes a link to my short row tutorials. Size: one size to fit most adults; 18” brim circumference and 9” height, measured flat and unstretched. Yarn: Shalimar Yarns Equus (100% superwash merino wool; 200 yards/183m), shown in Black Truffle; 1 skein. The sample used about 165 yards of worsted weight yarn. Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 16” circular needle or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (9); Yarn needle. Gauge: 16 st and 24 rows/4” in Raindrop stitch, after blocking. See it on Ravelry or on Payhip, to read more or purchase the pattern.
Yoli Loop
Diagonal mesh and simple garter edges run the length of this long and narrow infinity loop. Yoli Loop begins with a provisional cast on and is worked in one piece to the end, then grafted. Wear it looped as many times as you like; the reversible stitch pattern looks great from both sides. Easily customizable in length and width, the Yoli Loop can be adapted to any yarn and any amount of yardage. Construction: The Yoli Loop begins with a provisional CO, which is grafted to the final row. Stitch gauge determines width, while row gauge determines length. Any amount of any weight yarn may be used, and dimensions may be adjusted according to your preference. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit, easy lace, grafting; links are included to my grafting tutorials. Size: 92” circumference and 4.5” width; see Designer’s Notes for customizing for various amounts of yardage. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Silky Merino (51% silk, 49% merino wool, 150 yards/ 137m/50g), shown in Green Grey; 2 skeins, or 300 yards of wool and silk blend dk weight . . .
Yoli Cowl
A comfy infinity scarf with fun construction, the Yoli Cowl has garter stitch edges framing lace mesh worked with short rows. The edges grow wider and narrower, while the short rows add ease and dimension, allowing the cowl to scrunch and tuck cozily around your neck and head. Worked sideways from a provisional cast on and grafted, this extra long reversible cowl can be worn right off the needles, either as a long scarf or double-wrapped around your neck or head to keep out the chill. Construction: The Yoli Cowl is knit sideways beginning with a provisional CO which is grafted to the final row. Stitch gauge determines the height of the cowl, while row gauge determines its length; to adjust the length, work fewer or more repeats of the mesh. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit, short rows, easy lace, grafting; links are included to my short rows and grafting tutorials. Size: 46” circumference and 12” height. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool, 210 yards/ 192m/100g), shown in Zinc; 3 skeins, or 525 yards of . . .
Diagonal mesh and fun sideways construction make the Yoli Hat engaging to knit, with just the right amount of modern style. Worked sideways in one piece from a provisional cast on and then grafted, the garter brim fits comfortably while the short rows create slouch and naturally shape the crown. Finished carefully, Yoli is reversible and can be worn right off the needles. Construction: The Yoli Hat is knit sideways beginning with a provisional CO which is grafted to the final row. Stitch gauge determines the height of the crown, while row gauge determines circumference; to adjust the size of the brim, work fewer or more repeats of the mesh. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit, short rows, easy lace, grafting; links are included to my short rows and grafting tutorials. Size: S/M (M/L); 18.5 (20)” brim circumference and 9 (10)” crown, unstretched. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool, 210 yards/ 192m/100g), size S/M shown in Verde Azul; 1 skein, or 140 (155) yards of worsted weight wool yarn. Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) needle, or size . . .