Winterberry

Winterberry Knit Hat by Melody Hoffmann

What is Being Made

The Winterberry is a beginner-friendly knit hat designed by Melody Hoffmann, available as a downloadable PDF pattern. This project creates a cozy, two-color hat suitable for both children and adults, with an optional pompom embellishment for the adult size. The hat features a folded brim construction and decorative bobble stitches integrated into the main stitch pattern.

Finished Dimensions

• Child size: 18.8" (47.7cm) circumference unstretched, 7.9" (20cm) length with folded brim
• Adult size without pompom: 21.6" (55cm) circumference unstretched, 8.6" (22cm) length with folded brim
• Adult size with pompom: Same dimensions as adult without pompom, with optional 2.5" (65cm) pompom addition

Techniques and Stitches Used

This knit hat employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners. The pattern utilizes in-the-round knitting with circular needles, requiring careful attention to avoid twisting at the cast-on edge. The main stitch pattern incorporates bobble stitches (MB) worked at regular intervals throughout the crown, creating textured visual interest. The pattern uses decreases to shape the crown, including slip-slip-knit (SSK) and knit two together (K2tog) decreases positioned strategically around the hat. A Long Tail Cast-on method begins the project, and the brim is designed to be folded for a finished look.

Yarn and Materials

The Winterberry pattern calls for chunky weight yarn in two contrasting colors. The recommended yarn is Blue Sky Fibers Techno, a premium blend of 68% Alpaca, 22% Silk, and 10% Merino. For the child and adult sizes without pompom, knitters need 2 skeins total (one skein each of Color A in Rogue and Color B in Fringe), with each skein providing 120 yards (110 meters) per 50 grams. For the adult size with pompom, an additional skein of Color B may be necessary to complete the pompom. Alternatively, approximately 240 yards (220 meters) of any chunky weight yarn in two colors can be substituted.

Needles and Notions

• One pair of US8 (5mm) circular needles
• One pair of US10 (6mm) circular needles
• Gauge: 17 stitches and 22 rows equals 4 inches (10cm) in stitch pattern worked in the round
• Tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends
• Pompom maker measuring 2.5" (65cm) for optional pompom embellishment

Pattern Overview

The Winterberry begins with a cast-on of 80 stitches for the child size or 96 stitches for the adult size using the Long Tail method and the smaller US8 needles with Color A. The brim is worked in the round with careful attention to joining without twisting. The stitch pattern features repeating sections of stockinette stitch interrupted by bobble stitches, creating a textured, visually appealing fabric. As the hat progresses toward the crown, strategic decreases (SSK and K2tog) are worked to gradually reduce the stitch count and shape the hat. The pattern provides specific decrease rounds that reduce the stitch count significantly, such as one decrease round that brings 80 stitches down to 70 stitches and 96 stitches down to 84 stitches. Subsequent decrease rounds continue this shaping process until the crown is complete. The folded brim construction adds structure and a polished finish to the completed hat.