Highlands Hat

Highlands Hat by Kali Sierra Berg

What is Being Made

The Highlands Hat is a stranded knit beanie designed by Kali Sierra Berg and available through IsolaHandmade. This lightning-fast knit hat features a double-layer construction made from bulky weight wool, providing excellent warmth and insulation. The pattern includes five graduated sizes ranging from newborn (0-6 months) through adult XL (16 to 24 inches in finished circumference unstretched), making it suitable for the entire family.

Knitting Techniques

This intermediate-level knitting project employs stranded colorwork knitting, a technique where two colors of yarn are carried simultaneously across the fabric to create a patterned design. The stranded method produces a thicker, more durable fabric with excellent insulation properties, which is particularly beneficial for a winter hat. The pattern is worked in the round using circular needles, and the crown is decreased using double-pointed needles (optional) to shape the top of the hat.

Stitches and Construction

The Highlands Hat is constructed primarily in stranded stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, uniform fabric when working with two colors in the round. Stockinette stitch in circular knitting produces a clean V-pattern on the right side of the work. The hat features a double-layer construction that adds both warmth and structural integrity to the finished garment. The pattern includes shaping decreases at the crown to create the classic hat silhouette.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern requires two skeins of chunky weight yarn: one skein of Malabrigo Chunky in the main color (104 yards) and one skein of contrasting color chunky weight yarn. The largest size uses approximately 104 yards of the main color and 40 yards of the contrasting color, with yardage requirements scaling down for smaller sizes. Chunky weight yarn allows for rapid project completion while providing the bulk necessary for a warm, double-layered hat.

Needles and Notions

• Circular needles in US 10 and US 11
• Double-pointed needles in US 11 (optional, for crown shaping)
• Darning needle for weaving in ends
• Scissors
• Measuring tape or gauge reader

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 3 stitches per inch using US 11 needles in stranded stockinette stitch. Knitters who tend to work very tightly or very loosely in stranded colorwork may need to adjust sizing accordingly. Five distinct sizes are provided to accommodate infants, toddlers, children, and adults, ensuring a proper fit across all age groups.