Smoke Signals Hat

Smoke Signals Hat by Rebekkah Kerner

What is Being Made

The Smoke Signals Hat is a child-sized knitted hat with a finished circumference of 16 inches. This design features colorwork patterning and is constructed in the round using circular and double-pointed needles. The hat includes a rolled stockinette stitch hem and a stranded colorwork body, making it a visually striking accessory for young wearers.

Craft and Primary Technique

This is an advanced-level knitting project that employs stranded colorwork, also known as Fair Isle knitting. Stranded colorwork involves carrying two colors of yarn simultaneously while knitting, creating intricate two-color patterns across the fabric. This technique requires careful tension management and coordination to ensure even stitches and secure floats (the strands of yarn carried inside the hat). The pattern is worked in the round, which is the traditional method for hat construction and eliminates the need for seaming.

Stitches and Construction Details

• Cast On: A stretchy cast-on method such as long tail or German twisted cast-on is recommended, worked over a larger needle to ensure the edge remains elastic
• Hem: 12 rounds of stockinette stitch in the round, which creates a naturally rolling edge characteristic of this stitch
• Colorwork Body: Stranded colorwork pattern from Chart 1, which measures 4 stitches across and repeats 24 times per round. The pattern is worked for two full vertical repeats
• Gauge: 6 stitches per inch and 7 rows per inch, measured over the stranded colorwork pattern in the round

Materials and Tools

Yarn: Two 50-gram balls of worsted or heavy worsted weight wool in colors of the knitter's choice. The pattern accommodates aran weight yarn, offering flexibility in yarn selection while maintaining the intended gauge and finished dimensions.

Needles and Notions: A 16-inch US size 6 (4mm) circular needle for the body of the hat, a set of size 6 double-pointed needles for the crown decreases when stitches become too few for the circular needle, a darning needle for weaving in ends, and a stitch marker to denote the beginning of the round.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as advanced, reflecting the complexity of managing stranded colorwork while maintaining consistent tension and stitch quality throughout the project. Knitters should be comfortable with circular needle techniques, reading charts, and the specific challenges of two-color knitting before attempting this design.