Candy: stripes and sprinkles

Candy: Stripes and Sprinkles Knit Hat by Tori Gurbisz

Project Overview

Candy: Stripes and Sprinkles is a versatile knit hat pattern designed by Tori Gurbisz that offers crafters two distinct stitch pattern options within a single design. This downloadable PDF pattern allows knitters to choose between a classic stockinette stripe style or a textured sprinkles variation, making it an excellent project for intermediate-level knitters seeking creative flexibility. The hat's dual-wear design—featuring a fold-up beanie option or a relaxed slouch silhouette—provides multiple styling possibilities from one pattern.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a fitted knit hat available in three sizes: Small (18 inches finished circumference), Medium (19.5–19.75 inches), and Large (21.25–21.75 inches, depending on stitch pattern chosen). The hat is designed to flatter a range of head sizes and includes decorative button embellishments as a featured design element. The pattern is particularly suited for showcasing colorful yarn and funky button selections.

Stitch Patterns and Techniques

The Candy pattern presents two distinct stitch options, allowing knitters to customize their finished hat:

• Stripes Variation: Features stockinette stitch (St st) worked in contrasting colors to create bold horizontal color blocks. This classic technique highlights yarn colors in a straightforward, visually striking manner.
• Sprinkles Variation: Incorporates a textured stitch pattern that adds dimensional interest and visual complexity. This texture pattern creates a more intricate fabric surface compared to smooth stockinette.

Both stitch patterns are worked at different gauges to accommodate their structural requirements. The stockinette stripes version is knit at a gauge of 18 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches, while the textured sprinkles pattern is worked at 17 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches. This gauge variation ensures proper fit and fabric drape for each style option.

Needles and Materials

The pattern is designed to be worked with US 7/4.5mm needles for the stripes variation and US 6/4mm needles for the sprinkles texture, with adjustments made as needed to obtain the specified gauge. The recommended yarn is Malabrigo Rios, a 100% superwash merino fiber available in 210-yard, 100-gram skeins. This worsted-weight yarn is ideal for creating vibrant, colorful knit projects with excellent stitch definition.

For the Stripes version shown in the pattern, one skein each of Malabrigo Rios in Azules (main color) and Purpuras (contrast color) is required. The Sprinkles variation uses one skein of Malabrigo Rios in Arco Iris as the main color. The superwash merino fiber provides durability and easy care, making this hat practical for regular wear.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to explore stitch pattern variations and color work. The combination of basic stockinette stitches, textured pattern work, and color changes provides appropriate challenge without requiring advanced techniques.