With Open Heart

With Open Heart Knit Hat by Nailya Plaskey

What Is Being Made

With Open Heart is a colorwork knit hat designed by Nailya Plaskey, available in two sizes to fit both children and adults. The children's version is sized for a head circumference of 20 inches (50 cm), while the adult size accommodates a head circumference of 22 inches (55 cm). This downloadable PDF pattern is ideal for knitters looking to expand their skills into two-color colorwork without overwhelming complexity.

Colorwork and Design Features

This hat introduces knitters to colorwork techniques using a straightforward two-color design. The pattern is specifically engineered for beginner colorwork knitters, with several features that make it approachable for those new to this technique. Floats—the strands of yarn carried across the back of the work when switching colors—are kept to a maximum of 5 stitches, preventing the common issues of overly long floats that can catch or create loose fabric. Additionally, the crown decreases are worked without colorwork, simplifying the final shaping and allowing knitters to focus on color changes in the main body of the hat.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

With Open Heart employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for intermediate-level knitters. The pattern uses two-color stranded colorwork, also known as Fair Isle knitting, where two yarn colors are worked simultaneously across rows. This technique requires managing floats and maintaining consistent tension across both colors. The hat is worked in the round using double-pointed needles, a traditional method for creating seamless cylindrical garments. Knitters will work the colorwork pattern in stockinette stitch, the most common knit stitch, which creates a smooth, V-textured fabric that showcases the two-color design effectively.

Materials Required

The pattern calls for fingering weight yarn in two colors. For the children's size, you will need 140 yards (128 meters) of Color A and 32 yards (30 meters) of Color B. The adult size requires 185 yards (170 meters) of Color A and 37 yards (33 meters) of Color B. Needles specified include size US 3 (3.25 mm) and size US 5 (3.75 mm) double-pointed needles, or the size needed to achieve the correct gauge. The pattern recommends checking gauge at 13 stitches and 15 rows over 2 inches in the colorwork section to ensure proper fit.

Skill Level and Difficulty

Rated as advanced beginner to intermediate, With Open Heart is designed for knitters who have mastered basic knitting techniques and are ready to explore colorwork. The simplified float management and elimination of colorwork in the crown decreases make this an excellent stepping stone into two-color knitting without the complexity of more intricate Fair Isle patterns.