Gatineau Hat

Gatineau Hat by Megan Goodacre

What Is Being Made

The Gatineau Hat is a colorwork knitting pattern designed by Megan Goodacre that offers two distinct style variations. This cozy hat features stranded colorwork and is finished with a cheerful pom-pom, making it an ideal project for knitters looking to create a quick, personalized gift or stash-busting endeavor.

Pattern Overview

This downloadable PDF pattern presents an accessible introduction to colorwork knitting. The design incorporates a small pattern repeat worked in the round, which makes it manageable for knitters new to stranded colorwork techniques. The worsted weight yarn ensures the hat knits up quickly without sacrificing visual interest or warmth.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Working in the round: The hat is constructed using circular needles or preferred small-round knitting method, creating seamless construction
• Stranded colorwork: Also known as Fair Isle knitting, this technique involves carrying multiple yarn colors across rows to create the pattern design
• Pom-pom finishing: The hat is topped with a handmade pom-pom using cardboard and scissors

Stitches and Construction

The pattern utilizes basic knit stitches worked in the round with a small, repeating colorwork motif. The manageable pattern repeat makes this an excellent gentle introduction to stranded colorwork for intermediate knitters, as the small scale prevents the complexity that can accompany larger color patterns.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This pattern calls for aran weight yarn (also referred to as worsted or heavy worsted weight). The sample shown uses Mirasol Miski, a 100% llama yarn available in 82-yard / 50-gram skeins. Knitters will need one skein each of three coordinating colors.

Two Hat Style Options

Hat 1 combines colors 127 Storm, 100 Snowdrop, and 128 Camel. Hat 2 features colors 116 Bark, 127 Storm, and 100 Snowdrop. This dual-design approach allows knitters to choose their preferred aesthetic or create both variations.

Needles and Tools Required

• One set of US 9 / 5.5 mm needles in your preferred method for working small circumferences in the round
• US 7 / 4.5 mm needles
• One stitch marker
• Blunt yarn needle for weaving in ends
• Pom-pom making supplies including cardboard and sharp-tipped scissors

Skill Level and Project Suitability

Rated as an intermediate difficulty pattern, the Gatineau Hat is ideal for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to explore colorwork. The small pattern repeat and worsted weight yarn make this an excellent confidence-building project. It is particularly suitable as a last-minute gift due to its quick knit time, and serves as an effective stash-busting project for using up yarn scraps in coordinating colors.