Banding Together Hat & Mittens in Cascade Yarns - C242 - Downloadable PDF

Banding Together Hat & Mittens – Knitting Pattern by Tanis Gray for Cascade Yarns

The Banding Together Hat & Mittens is a cheerful, colorwork knitting pattern designed by Tanis Gray and published by Cascade Yarns. Available as a free downloadable PDF, this intermediate-level pattern produces a coordinating set of a ribbed, striped hat and a pair of matching mittens sized for a 6-year-old child with a hat circumference of approximately 19 inches. The design is built around bold two-color banding and corrugated ribbing, making it an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with double-pointed needles and basic colorwork techniques but are ready to explore more visually striking stitch combinations.

Materials & Yarn

The pattern calls for Cascade 128 Superwash, a chunky-weight yarn made from 100% superwash merino wool. Each hank weighs 3.5 oz / 100g and contains approximately 128 yards / 117 meters. Two colors are used:

• Color A: Cascade 128 Superwash in #864 Christmas Green
• Color B: Cascade 128 Superwash in #821 Daffodil

One hank of each color is required. The superwash treatment makes this yarn machine-washable, which is a practical advantage for children's accessories. Merino wool provides exceptional softness against young skin while offering warmth and natural elasticity that helps the finished pieces retain their shape.

Needles & Notions

• Size US 7 (4.5mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) – used for knitting the mittens in the round
• Size US 7 (4.5mm) 16-inch circular knitting needle – used for knitting the hat in the round
• Stitch holder – used to hold thumb stitches while working the mitten body
• Tapestry needle – for weaving in ends and finishing

The gauge for this pattern is 18 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, which is a standard gauge for chunky-weight yarn on US 7 needles. Achieving correct gauge is especially important for a fitted accessory like a child's hat, where even small deviations can significantly affect the finished circumference.

The Hat

The hat is worked in the round on a 16-inch circular needle using both Color A and Color B. It features the same corrugated rib and stripe pattern that define the mittens, creating a cohesive, coordinated look across the entire set. The finished hat is designed to fit a child's head with a 19-inch circumference, appropriate for approximately a 6-year-old.

The Mittens

The mittens are knitted in the round using double-pointed needles, beginning with a cast-on of 30 stitches divided evenly across the DPNs. The construction follows a logical, well-structured sequence that is approachable for intermediate knitters:

• Cuff: Worked in corrugated rib for 10 rows, establishing the two-color contrast from the very start
• Body transition: After the cuff, 5 stitches are decreased evenly across one row, bringing the stitch count down to 25 stitches for the hand section
• Hand: Worked in the stripe pattern for 9 rows before the thumb opening is created
• Thumb gusset: 4 stitches are placed on a stitch holder to form the thumb opening; 4 new stitches are cast on over the gap, and the hand continues for a further 14 rows in stripe pattern
• Finishing: The mitten is shaped and closed at the top, and the held thumb stitches are picked up and worked separately to complete the thumb

Key Stitch Techniques