Peaks of Winter

Peaks of Winter Women's Hat Knitting Pattern

What is Being Made

The Peaks of Winter is a women's knitted hat designed by Rachy Knits (Rachel Kleynhans). This one-size hat is inspired by the scenic winter mountain landscapes of Aotearoa, New Zealand, capturing the visual beauty of snow-covered peaks through colorwork design. The finished hat features a classic silhouette suitable for cold-weather wear.

Knitting Techniques and Methods

This pattern employs stranded colorwork as its primary decorative technique, allowing knitters to create the mountain-inspired design by working with two contrasting colors throughout the hat. The hat is constructed in the round, which creates a seamless, tubular fabric ideal for hats. Knitters have flexibility in their method of choice: the pattern can be worked using the magic loop method on circular needles or alternatively on double-pointed needles (DPNs), accommodating different knitter preferences and skill comfort levels.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The pattern uses fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for colorwork and hat construction. Primary stitches include:

• Knit (k) – the basic stitch forming the fabric structure
• Purl (p) – used for textural variation
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) – a left-leaning decrease used for shaping the crown
• Stocking stitch – the primary fabric, creating a smooth, V-textured surface ideal for displaying colorwork patterns

The pattern incorporates two color designations (C1 and C2) to manage the stranded colorwork technique, enabling the creation of the mountain peak motif across the hat's body.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Peaks of Winter pattern calls for DK weight yarn, totaling 219 to 225 yards (200 to 206 meters). The recommended yarn is DK Skeinz Moody Hues, a New Zealand yarn that aligns with the pattern's New Zealand-inspired design aesthetic. However, the pattern accommodates substitution with any contrasting DK weight yarn, providing flexibility for knitters to select yarns based on availability, color preference, or fiber content.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern requires two sizes of 3.5mm circular needles and 4mm circular needles, allowing for gauge adjustment during construction. The recommended gauge is 12 stitches and 12 rows over 5 centimeters in Stocking stitch, which should be verified before beginning the project to ensure proper fit and finished dimensions.

Additional Notions and Tools

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires the following notions and tools:

• Darning needle for weaving in yarn ends after completion
• Stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points
• Tape measure for checking gauge and finished measurements
• Scissors for cutting yarn
• Pom pom tape for adding a decorative pom pom finish to the crown

Skill Level and Pattern Difficulty

While the pattern is categorized as Intermediate in difficulty, it is suitable for knitters with foundational skills. The stranded colorwork technique requires familiarity with managing two yarn colors simultaneously and maintaining even tension across color changes. Knitters comfortable with in-the-round construction and basic decreases will find this pattern accessible, though those new to colorwork may benefit from prior practice with two-color techniques.

Pattern Support and Designer Information

This pattern is designed and published by Rachy Knits, the independent design label of Rachel Kleynhans. Pattern support and inquiries can be directed to mrsrachyknits@gmail.com, and additional patterns and information are available at www.Rachyknits.wordpress.com.