Ollaberry Beanie

Ollaberry Beanie by Olach Designs

What is Being Made

The Ollaberry Beanie is a knitted hat pattern inspired by the natural landscape and coastal environment of Northmavine in Shetland. This beanie is designed with versatility in mind, featuring a low-fitting silhouette that pulls down over the ears for protection from harsh weather, while also offering the option to wear it further back on the head as a slouchy-style beanie. The design draws inspiration from the changing colors of the sea, sky, seaweed, sand, rocks, and lichens found along the local beaches.

Techniques Used

The Ollaberry Beanie is worked entirely in the round, making it a seamless construction project. The pattern incorporates traditional Fairisle motifs, a classic colorwork technique that creates intricate patterned designs through the use of multiple yarn colors within individual rows. The beanie begins with a corrugated rib, which provides structure and elasticity at the base of the hat. This combination of techniques creates both visual interest and functional fit.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes ribbing stitches for the corrugated rib foundation, which gives the beanie its characteristic stretch and snug fit. The main body of the beanie features Fairisle colorwork, a stranded knitting technique that involves carrying multiple yarn colors across rows to create traditional patterned designs. These stitches work together to produce a durable, warm, and visually striking finished garment.

Materials

• Yarn: Jamiesons of Shetland Spindrift, 100% pure Shetland wool. One 25g ball (105m) each of multiple color shades, including shade A: Eggshell 768. The yarn is a 4-ply weight, suitable for detailed colorwork and fine stitch definition.
• Needles: One set of 2.5mm double-pointed needles (DPN) or preferred method for working in the round with wool for the ribbed section. One set of 3mm double-pointed needles or preferred method for working in the round for the main pattern sections.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty. Knitters should be comfortable working in the round, managing multiple stitches on DPNs or circular needles, and executing Fairisle colorwork techniques before beginning this project.

Pattern Format

The Ollaberry Beanie is available as a downloadable PDF pattern, making it accessible for immediate use once purchased. This format allows knitters to print the pattern or reference it digitally while working on their project.