Pine cone hat

Pine Cone Hat by Evvash

What is Being Made

The Pine Cone Hat is a stranded colorwork knitting pattern designed by Evvash. This hat features a two-color design combining white and olive tones to create a pine cone motif. The pattern is available in three sizes—small/medium, medium/large, and large—with head circumferences ranging from 19.6 inches to 23.5 inches and heights between 8 and 8.5 inches, making it suitable for various head sizes.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

Stranded Colorwork: The primary technique used in this hat is stranded colorwork, also known as Fair Isle knitting. This method involves carrying two colors of yarn simultaneously across the back of the work while knitting with the active color. The unused yarn is "stranded" or floated behind the stitches, creating a reversible fabric with the pattern visible on both sides. This technique produces a dense, warm fabric ideal for winter hats.

Stockinette Stitch: The hat is worked primarily in stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, flat fabric with a distinct right side of vertical columns and a left side of horizontal bumps. This classic stitch provides an excellent canvas for displaying colorwork patterns.

Core Stitches and Abbreviations: The pattern uses fundamental knitting stitches including knit (K), purl (P), and knit two together (k2tog) for decreasing. Stitches are worked in rounds (Rnd), and the pattern includes standard abbreviations such as cast on (CO), bind off (BO), and repeat (Rep) instructions.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Pine Cone Hat is designed to be worked with Aran weight yarn, which provides excellent stitch definition for colorwork projects. The recommended yarn is Drops Nepal, a blend of 65% wool and 35% alpaca, offering warmth and softness. Each color requires approximately 2 balls of yarn, with each ball containing 82 yards and weighing 1.75 ounces (50 grams).

Color Requirements:

• Color 1101 White – 2 balls
• Color 7238 Olive – 2 balls

Needles: The pattern calls for US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles measuring 16 inches in length, or alternatively, US 4 (3.5 mm) double-pointed needles. Circular needles allow for seamless knitting in the round, while double-pointed needles offer a traditional approach to hat construction.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches by 28 rows over a 4-inch by 4-inch square when worked in stockinette stitch and measured after blocking. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for ensuring the hat fits properly and displays the colorwork pattern as intended. Blocking, the process of wetting and shaping the finished knit, helps even out the stitches and set the pattern.

Difficulty Level

The Pine Cone Hat is classified as a beginner-friendly pattern, making it an excellent introduction to stranded colorwork techniques. While colorwork knitting involves managing two yarn colors simultaneously, the pattern's straightforward construction and clear instructions make it accessible to knitters new to this method.

Pattern Support

Evvash emphasizes precision and thoughtful pattern design. Knitters who encounter difficulties or believe they have found an error are encouraged to contact the designer at pattern@evvash.com for assistance.