Blending with Stripes
Stripes can give the illusion of blended colours, especially if the colours are similar shades, similar intensity values or narrow (hairline or pin stripe), like the one row stripes in this fun beanie.
This fun hat is knit in the round from the bottom up. Begin with a 2x2 Rib Stitch pattern in Colour A on smaller needles, then transition to Stocking Stitch stripes in Colour B on larger needles for the body of the beanie. Stripes are ideal for using up smaller balls of yarn that on their own would not be enough to make a hat..
This pattern is knit in the round on needles for working a small circumference (double pointed needles, flexi flips, one small circular, "magic loop" or two circulars, as you prefer)
Directions are given for 4 sizes, ranging from toddler to large adult.
Finished Head Circumferences: Toddler: 40cm/ 16in; Child: 45cm/18in; Youth: 50cm/20in; Adult: 55cm/22in.
You will need approximately 150m each of two colours of chunky weight yarn or 300m each of two colours of sport or fingering weight yarn (to be held double) to make the largest size of this hat.
In our sample we used Ancient Arts Oasis sport (80% Merino, 20% Camel; 100g, 320m/350yds) held double and 1 ball of Rowan Chunky Cashmere (100% Cashmere; 50g and 140m/ 153yds), single stranded.
Needles & Notions:
- 4.5mm / US7 and 5.0mm / US8, 40cm / 16in circular needles and
- a set of 5.0mm / US8 double pointed needles or 1 long or 2 circulars as you prefer, for the smaller circumference crown of hat.
Gauge: 16 sts and 23 rnds = 10cm/4in, worked in stockinette stitch, in the round, after blocking on larger needles.