Bear in the Woods Hat

Bear in the Woods Hat by Idle Hands Knits

What is Being Made

The Bear in the Woods Hat is a knitted beanie featuring a charted bear motif, designed by Lisa McFetridge of Idle Hands Knits. This downloadable knitting pattern offers three size options—Infant, Child/Small Adult, and Adult—with finished circumferences of approximately 17, 19, and 21 inches respectively. The hat can be knitted in two height variations: a shorter version measuring 7 to 8 inches in finished height, or a taller version ranging from 7.5 to 9 inches, allowing knitters to customize the final look. The design celebrates woodland wildlife, inspired by the designer's experiences observing animals in Vermont, and features an optional embroidered detail for the bear's eyes.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This intermediate-level knitting project employs stranded colorwork knitting, a technique in which two colors are carried simultaneously across rows to create the bear motif from charted instructions. The pattern utilizes in-the-round knitting construction, typical of hat patterns, which creates a seamless, tubular fabric. The charts are customized slightly for each size to accommodate different stitch counts, ensuring proper pattern scaling. The hat features a decrease section at the crown to shape the top, with options for both shorter and taller finished heights depending on where decreases are introduced. The designer notes that embroidered eyes can be added as an optional finishing touch to enhance the bear design.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure is Stockinette stitch, worked in the round to create a smooth, classic knit fabric. The stranded colorwork technique requires knitters to work with two colors simultaneously, twisting the unused yarn around the working yarn to avoid long floats and maintain fabric integrity. The pattern includes charted sections that define the bear motif, with all charts adjusted by size to fit the respective stitch counts for each size option.

Materials and Yarn Weight

The Bear in the Woods Hat is designed to be worked in worsted weight yarn. The pattern photos showcase Malabrigo Rios in Coco as the main color (MC) and Cascade 220 Superwash as the contrasting color (CC), though the pattern provides alternative color options for knitters who prefer different yarns. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stranded Stockinette stitch, blocked, which helps ensure proper fit across all three sizes. Knitters will need appropriate needles for worsted weight yarn in the correct size to achieve this gauge, typically in the US 6–8 range, along with stitch markers and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and optional embroidery work.