Product Description
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Knit using 2 skeins of Malabrigo Worsted Merino, this hat makes great use of that beautiful skein of variegated yarn that you have been hoarding! Pair it with a coordinating solid yarn and you’ve got a beautiful, quickly knit hat! This pattern makes a great stash buster, as it can be easily be knit with partial skeins of at least 80 yards each.
Designed for the Malabrigo Quickies project. Thank you to Malabrigo for their generous yarn support, and to Alex Tinsley for her awesome encouragement!
Difficulty: Easy Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool; 210 yds/192 meters) 2 skein, shown in Mariposa and Lettuce Gauge: 20 stitches and 26 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch Finished size: One size fits most adults Needles: 16” US 6 (4 mm) circular needle and 16" US 8 (5mm) circular needle **
Borealis Knit Hat by Rebecca Hill
What Is Being Made
The Borealis is an intermediate-level knit hat designed by Rebecca Hill. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a finished hat using a two-color colorwork technique with contrasting yarn shades, resulting in a visually striking headwear piece suitable for various skill levels beyond complete beginners.
Techniques Used
This pattern employs several key knitting techniques to create its structure and visual appeal:
- Circular knitting: The hat is constructed in the round using circular needles or double-pointed needles, allowing for seamless construction
- Colorwork: The design incorporates two contrasting colorways worked throughout the pattern, creating a multi-colored effect
- Decreasing: Strategic decreases using knit 2 together (k2tog) and purl 2 together (p2tog) techniques shape the crown of the hat as the pattern progresses
- Ribbing and stockinette stitch: The pattern combines different stitch patterns to create texture and structure
Stitches Used
The Borealis pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches that intermediate knitters should be comfortable executing:
- Knit stitch (K): The primary stitch forming the base fabric
- Purl stitch (P): Used to create textural variation and ribbed sections
- Knit 2 together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease used to shape the hat crown
- Purl 2 together (P2tog): A decrease worked in purl stitches during shaping rounds
Materials Required
The pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended finished hat:
- Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Worsted Merino (100% merino wool, 210 yards per 100 grams). Two skeins are required in contrasting colorways—the pattern specifically uses Lettuce and Mariposa
- Needles: 16-inch US 6 circular needle or set of 4 double-pointed needles (dpns), and 16-inch US 8 circular needle or set of 4 dpns. An additional set of US 8 double-pointed needles is needed for the final crown shaping
- Notions: One stitch marker to indicate the beginning of each round and a yarn needle for weaving in ends
Gauge and Sizing
Proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished hat size. The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US 8 needles. The pattern begins with a cast-on of 96 stitches and includes multiple decrease rounds that progressively reduce stitch count—for example, Round 39 decreases to 88 stitches, Round 40 to 80 stitches, and Round 41 continues the shaping sequence.
Pattern Support
Designer Rebecca Hill provides direct support for this pattern. Knitters with questions or needing assistance can contact her at leftcoastknits@gmail.com or visit the Must.Knit.Faster group on Ravelry for community support and pattern discussion.
Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Designer: | Rebecca Hill |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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