Great Bear Hood

Great Bear Hood by Cori Eichelberger

What is Being Made

The Great Bear Hood is a versatile knitted hood designed by Cori Eichelberger of Irocknits Designs. This garment offers a practical alternative to traditional hats, providing warmth and coverage without the fitted constraint of a conventional hat. The hood features an adjustable design that allows the wearer to pull it down around the neck when transitioning to warmer environments, functioning as both a protective hood and a stylish cowl-like accessory. The design is available in three sizes: Baby (6 months to 2 years), Child (3 to 5 years), and Adult Medium, making it suitable for multiple age groups and family members.

Finished Measurements

• Neck Circumference: 17.25 inches (44 cm) for Baby size; 20.5 inches (52 cm) for Child size; 24 inches (61 cm) for Adult Medium
• Hood Width: 16 inches (40.5 cm) for Baby size; 17.5 inches (44.5 cm) for Child size; 20.5 inches (52 cm) for Adult Medium
• Total Height: 10 inches (25.5 cm) for Baby size; 11.5 inches (29 cm) for Child size; 13 inches (33 cm) for Adult Medium

Craft and Techniques

The Great Bear Hood is created using knitting techniques, making it an ideal project for beginner-level knitters. The pattern is designed to be straightforward and accessible, allowing new knitters to develop fundamental skills while producing a wearable and functional garment. The hood's adjustable nature means knitters can customize the finished measurements by adding or reducing height and width according to personal preference or fit requirements, providing flexibility in the construction process.

Yarn and Materials

This project uses chunky weight yarn, which works up quickly and creates a warm, dense fabric ideal for cold-weather wear. The yarn requirement is minimal: 1 skein for the Baby size, and 2 skeins for both the Child and Adult Medium sizes. Chunky yarn paired with appropriate knitting needles creates a fabric with excellent drape and insulation properties, perfect for a hood that needs to maintain its shape while providing comfort and warmth around the neck and head area.

Pattern Format

The Great Bear Hood is provided as a downloadable PDF pattern. The pattern is formatted as a checklist-style design, allowing knitters to mark off completed sections as they progress through the project. This format is optional—knitters who prefer not to use the checkboxes have the flexibility to print only the sections of the pattern they need, reducing paper waste and making the pattern more convenient to reference during knitting.