Flist Hat

Flist Hat by Liz Corke

What is Being Made

The Flist Hat is a cosy knitted beanie featuring stranded colourwork from brim to crown. Named after an old Scots word for a shower of snow, this hat combines practical warmth with decorative two-colour patterning. The design is available in four sizes: Toddler, Child/Teen, Adult, and Large Adult, making it suitable for the whole family. The finished hat circumferences range from 37.5 cm (15") for toddlers to 50 cm (20") for large adults, designed to fit heads measuring 45.5 to 61 cm (18 to 24") respectively. This is a quick knit project, making it ideal for crafters looking for a satisfying project that works up efficiently.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs stranded colourwork, a classic knitting technique where two colours are carried and worked simultaneously to create a patterned fabric. The colourwork runs continuously from the brim to the crown of the hat, providing both visual interest and structural integrity. The hat is knitted in the round, a seamless construction method that creates a tube-like fabric perfect for fitted garments like hats. This technique eliminates the need for seaming and ensures a smooth, professional finish. The pattern is worked using circular needles or double-pointed needles (DPNs), allowing for continuous circular knitting.

Stitches Used

The Flist Hat is constructed using fundamental knitting stitches worked in a stranded colourwork pattern. The gauge is established at 24 stitches and 30 rows in 10 cm (4") when working the two-colour stranded pattern in the round. This gauge measurement is essential for achieving the correct finished size and ensuring the hat fits properly. The stitch pattern itself creates the decorative colourwork design that defines the hat's appearance from brim to crown.

Materials and Yarn

The Flist Hat is designed to be worked in DK weight yarn, specifically using Giddy Yarns Merino DK, which is 100% Superwash Merino with a yardage of 225 metres per 100 grams. Two colours are required: Deep in the Woods (Colour A) and Eeyore (Colour B). Yardage requirements vary by size, with Colour A ranging from 30 to 73 metres (33 to 80 yards) and Colour B from 30 to 73 metres (33 to 80 yards), depending on whether you're knitting the Toddler, Child/Teen, Adult, or Large Adult size. The pattern notes that this is a perfect project for using up leftover balls of yarn, making it an economical choice for stash-busting.

Tools Required

• Needles: 4.5 mm (US 7) circular needles, 40 cm (16") or longer, or double-pointed needles (DPNs)
• Notions: 1 stitch marker to mark the beginning of rounds
• Finishing: Yarn needle for sewing in ends

Difficulty Level and Project Notes

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, reflecting the requirement to work stranded colourwork competently. While the basic stitch techniques are straightforward, managing two colours simultaneously and maintaining even tension across the colour changes requires some experience. The pattern is described as a quick knit, making it an efficient project for intermediate knitters. The designer, Liz Corke, suggests combining the Flist Hat with a matching cowl for complete winter warmth, offering coordinated design possibilities for those interested in expanding their project.