Niskia

Niskia Knit Hat by Sierra Morningstar

What Is Being Made

Niskia is a downloadable knitting pattern for a finished hat measuring 18 inches (45 cm) in circumference and 9 inches (22.5 cm) in height. This intermediate-level knit hat design features decorative cable work and is suitable for knitters with some experience in working with cables and circular needles.

Yarn and Materials

The Niskia pattern requires 120 yards (109 meters) of bulky weight yarn. The sample was knit using Lorna's Laces Cloudgate, a blend of 90% wool and 10% nylon, with each 100-gram skein containing 120 yards (109 meters) of yardage. The sample used nearly the entire skein, so purchasing extra yarn is recommended for insurance against running short.

Essential notions include a stitch marker for tracking rounds, a cable needle for manipulating stitches during cable work, and a tapestry needle for finishing. Needles required are US 10 (6 mm) circular needles measuring 16 inches (40 cm) in length, along with matching double-pointed needles for the crown shaping.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 16 stitches and 22 rounds measuring 4 inches (10 cm) in the cable pattern. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements of 18 inches circumference and 9 inches height.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

Niskia employs cable knitting as its primary decorative technique. The pattern utilizes several specialized cable stitches that require a cable needle to create the twisted, three-dimensional texture characteristic of cable knit designs.

• 2/1 LPC (Left Purl Cross): Slip 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold in front. Purl 1 stitch from the left-hand needle, then knit 2 stitches from the cable needle.
• 2/1 RPC (Right Purl Cross): Slip 1 stitch onto a cable needle and hold in back. Knit 2 stitches from the left-hand needle, then purl 1 stitch from the cable needle.
• 2/2 LC (Left Cross): Slip 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold in front. Knit 2 stitches from the left-hand needle, then knit 2 stitches from the cable needle.
• 2/2 RC (Right Cross): Slip 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold in back. Knit 2 stitches from the left-hand needle, then knit 2 stitches from the cable needle.
• LT (Left Twist): A twisted stitch created by skipping the first stitch on the left-hand needle and knitting into the following stitch.

The hat is worked in the round using circular needles, which allows for seamless construction. The transition from circular needles to double-pointed needles occurs during the crown shaping as the stitch count decreases toward the top of the hat.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty. Knitters should be comfortable with cable techniques, working in the round with circular needles, and managing stitch markers and cable needles before beginning this project.