Leeward

Leeward Slouchy Beanie by Louise Zass-Bangham

What is Being Made

Leeward is a simple, slouchy beanie hat designed by Louise Zass-Bangham as part of the Safe Haven collection. This lightweight, single-layer hat is crafted from baby alpaca yarn and features gentle colorwork around the brim. The design offers versatility in construction methods, allowing knitters to choose between working the piece flat with seaming or seamlessly in the round. Two sizes are available: S/M to fit a 20-inch (51cm) head circumference, and L/XL to fit a 22-inch (56cm) head circumference.

Techniques Used

The Leeward beanie incorporates several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for intermediate-level crafters. The colorwork is executed using simple stripes rather than more complex intarsia methods, making it accessible while still adding visual interest. The pattern requires knitters to pick up stitches, a technique often used when adding ribbed or decorative elements to an existing piece. Crown shaping is achieved through strategic decreases that taper the top of the hat to a finished point. Knitters have the flexibility to work the project either flat on straight needles with subsequent seaming, or seamlessly in the round using circular needles, depending on their preference and skill level.

Stitches Used

While the complete stitch list is not fully detailed in the provided pattern excerpt, the design employs standard knitting stitches combined with stripe colorwork. The pattern includes pick-up stitches for adding the brim detail and decrease stitches concentrated at the crown to shape the hat's top. The simplicity of the stitch work—avoiding complex techniques like intarsia—makes this project approachable for intermediate knitters seeking to build their skills.

Materials and Specifications

• Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Melange & Sportweight, 100% baby alpaca, 100m/110yds per 50g skein
• Yarn Weight: Sport weight
• Yardage Required: 120m/130yds in Licorice 803 (A) for the main color; 10m/11yds each in Relish 808 (B), Bubblegum 811 (C), and Taupe 505 (D) for the striped brim
• Needles (Flat Method): 3.25mm/US 3 and 3.75mm/US 5 straight needles
• Needles (In-the-Round Method): 3.25mm/US 3 and 3.75mm/US 5 circular needles (specific sizes not fully listed in excerpt)
• Additional Tools: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming (if working flat)

Yarn and Construction Details

The Leeward beanie is constructed from baby alpaca, a luxuriously soft and warm fiber that remains lightweight even in a single-layer construction. This makes the finished hat suitable for layering in cooler weather without excessive bulk. The sport-weight yarn provides excellent stitch definition for the simple stripe colorwork while maintaining the garment's intended drape and slouchy silhouette. The pattern uses a two-needle-size approach, with the smaller size (3.25mm/US 3) likely reserved for ribbing or edging to create a snug fit at the brim, while the larger size (3.75mm/US 5) is used for the main body to achieve the desired gauge and fabric characteristics.