Sandbanks Hat and Scarf in Berroco Nuvola

Sandbanks Hat and Scarf Knitting Pattern by Åsa Buchta in Berroco Nuvola

The Sandbanks pattern, designed by Åsa Buchta and published by Berroco, is a beginner-friendly knitting set featuring a cozy chunky hat and a generously sized scarf. Both pieces are worked in Berroco Nuvola, a soft chunky-weight yarn, and share a cohesive aesthetic built around simple, classic knitting techniques. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is an excellent choice for newer knitters looking to build confidence while creating wearable, stylish accessories.

About Berroco Nuvola Yarn

Berroco Nuvola is a chunky-weight yarn sold in 50 g balls. The pattern calls for colorway #11455 Ruby. Its substantial weight means projects knit up quickly, making it especially well-suited to beginner-level accessories like hats and scarves. Berroco recommends using the yarn specified in the pattern to best match the gauge and drape shown in the original design.

Materials and Notions

• Yarn: Berroco Nuvola, #11455 Ruby — 2 balls for the hat, 6 balls for the scarf, or 7 balls for the complete set
• Needles for Hat: 16" / 40 cm circular needle, size 11 / 8 mm, plus double pointed needles (DPNs), size 11 / 8 mm for crown shaping
• Needles for Scarf: Straight or circular knitting needles, size 11 / 8 mm
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle

Gauge

The pattern gauge is 13 stitches and 26 rows = 4" / 10 cm in Garter Stitch, measured after blocking. Because chunky yarns can vary in thickness and individual knitters differ in tension, checking gauge before beginning is strongly recommended to ensure accurate finished measurements.

The Sandbanks Hat

Sizes and Finished Measurements

The hat is offered in two sizes: Size 1 and Size 2. Finished circumference measures approximately 19¾ (22¼)" / 49.5 (55.5) cm, with a length of approximately 11" / 28 cm. The pattern sample shown is knit in Size 1.

Construction and Techniques

The hat is worked in the round on a circular needle, beginning at the brim and working upward toward a shaped crown. This seamless construction method is common in hat knitting and produces a clean, professional finish without any seaming. As the crown decreases reduce the stitch count, knitters transition from the circular needle to double pointed needles (DPNs) to comfortably manage the smaller circumference — a technique that beginners will find straightforward with a little practice.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Ribbing (K1, P2, K1 repeat): The hat begins with a set-up rib worked over the first 3" / 7.5 cm from the cast-on edge. This combination of knit and purl stitches creates a stretchy, form-fitting brim that helps the hat stay securely on the head. Ribbing is one of the most fundamental knitting techniques and is ideal for beginners to practice knit-purl combinations.
• Garter Stitch in the Round (alternating purl and knit rounds): After the ribbing, the hat body is worked in Garter Stitch in the round, which is achieved by alternating one purl round with one knit round. This produces the characteristic horizontal ridged texture of Garter Stitch while working circularly. This section continues until the piece measures 6" / 15 cm from the cast-on edge, ending after a purl round.
• Crown Shaping with Decrease Rounds: The crown is shaped using decrease rounds that systematically reduce the stitch count to form the top of the hat. Decreases are a core knitting skill, and working them in