This stranded knitting hat pattern is an excellent project for anyone who wants to try knitting with two colours in their work.
This hat is perfect for the colder weather, worn with a warm coat or a chunky knit sweater.
This hat pattern is a great advanced beginner project for anyone who is learning how to knit in the round.
An Easy Level Knitting Pattern
This is an easy pattern for those of you who are advanced beginner level, and the techniques you will need to know are knit, purl, k2tog and knitting in the round.
Using mainly knit and purl stitches, it will also introduce you to decreasing and shaping.
If you have never knit in the round before you can watch my video tutorial here.
There is also stranded colourwork in the pattern, this means that you will knit with more than one colour.
*Please scroll down to see the free pattern*
Stranded Knitting
Fair Isle knitting, which also known more accurately as stranded knitting, is a technique for working two (or more) colours of yarn in the same row.
The colour changes in Fair Isle are close together, as this allows you to simply carry the yarn you aren’t knitting with across the back of the piece as you go.
You will pick up each strand as you need it and this leaves a strand of yarn on the inside of the work.
- Fair Isle knitting is pretty easy to do and in this case, makes a nice warm knitted hat because all those strands of yarn add extra bulk and warmth.
- Stranded knitting is often worked in the round, and it’s even easier to do that way than flat.
The Yarn I used…
I made the beanie hat using two yarns – the first was Hayfield Chunky Tweed in Crigglestone 180, knit with two strands together.
As an alternative, you could use the colours wheat or oatmeal in Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick yarn.
I also used a mustard yarn I had leftover in my stash for the top of the hat, which was also knit with two strands together.
This was knit up quite quickly and used less than one skein of both colours.
Any super bulky weight yarn 06 will be okay to use for this pattern.
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:
This pattern is great for any advanced beginner knitters.
- You should be comfortable casting on and casting off, as well as knitting in garter stitch.
- You should be comfortable working the purl stitch.
- You should be comfortable knitting in the round.
- You should also be comfortable reading knitting patterns.
- And understanding knitting abbreviations and terms.
More Hat Patterns
If you would like to make more knitted items/hats for women, please take a look at the other patterns in the women’s knitting pattern library.
There are also hat patterns for women, men, baby and kids in the hat pattern library.
You may also like these free patterns for adult-sized hats:
- The Fir Hat Pattern
- Classic Ribbed Hat Pattern
- Easy beginner hat pattern
- The Sofia Hat Knitting Pattern
- The Alexia Hat Knitting Pattern
The Willow Hat Knitting Pattern
Purchase the inexpensive ad-free, PDF printable pattern in my shop here.
Notes
The hat knits up quickly in super bulky yarn, and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.
- Please do not copy, sell, redistribute or republish this pattern.
- If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
- You may sell items produced using this pattern.
- Do NOT use the copyrighted photos for your product listing.
- For the copyright T&C’s please read my Terms of Use.
Skill Level – Easy
Size –
- Adult woman
- Height w/o pom = 9 inches / Width (flat and unstretched) = 9 inches
- To fit a head with circumference size – around 22-26 inches.
Gauge – 10 sts and 15 rounds = 4in/10cm.
The Supplies You Need…
Yarn
- 1 skein or scraps of Hayfield Chunky Tweed in Crigglestone 180 / knit with two strands together or as an alternative wheat or oatmeal from Lion Brand wool ease thick and quick yarn.
- 1 skein or scraps of super bulky yarn – in a coordinating colour (I used mustard).
- Super bulky weight – 106 yards. / yarn weight guide
Needles
Notions
Other Tools
- Pom pom maker Clover 2 – 1/2 inch Large.
Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations List
- Approx = Approximately
- Beg = Begin(ning)
- Cont = Continue(ing)
- K = Knit
- K2tog = Knit next 2 stitches together
- P – Purl
- PM Place marker
- Rem = Remaining
- Rep = Repeat
- Rnd(s) = Round(s)
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
Hat Pattern
Yarn A – Main colour (wheat) / Yarn B – Accent colour (mustard)
- In Yarn A – CO 36 sts, join in the round and pm, being careful not to twist the sts.
- K2, P1, *K3, P1, K3, P1* rep from * to * to the end of the round.
- *K1, P3, K1* rep from * to * to the end of the round.
- Rep the last two rounds until the brim of the hat measures 2 inches.
- Cont to knit every round in Yarn A until the piece measures 4.5 inches from the co edge.
- K2 Yarn A. K1 Yarn B – add in the accent colour by knitting the next st and knitting with the accent colour.
*Tip – when you knit with the accent colour (yarn B) don’t pull tight, so that you will be able to see the stitches*
- Knit the round with Yarn A
- K1 Yarn B, K2 Yarn A, – rep to the end of the round.
- Knit round with Yarn B
- K2 Yarn B, K1 Yarn A, – rep to the end of the round.
- Knit round with Yarn B
- K1 Yarn A, K2 Yarn B, – rep to the end of the round.
- Cont to knit every round in Yarn B until the hat measures 8.5 inches from the co edge.
- Decrease the crown; K2tog – rep to the end of the round.
- Cut a length of yarn and thread through the darning needle, then thread through the rem sts on the needles and pull up tight.
- Secure the top of the hat by pulling together and fastening off inside of the hat.
- Sew in any loose ends and make sure you secure the accent yarn that is loose on the inside of the hat.
- Add a pom pom if you wish.
I love seeing your finished projects!
If you enjoyed making the hat, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.
If you are on Facebook, stop over to the handylittleme Facebook page and share a photo! I’d love to see your work!
Happy Knitting! xoxo
Susan says
I like the brim on the Willow but would be using one color (Lion Hometown USA Chicago Charcoal) for the entire hat. I assume I would continue kitting until 8.5 inches from co edge and then decrease. Is that correct? I’m starting to knit again after 40 years, and this is my first hat. So glad to have found your site!
handylittleme says
Hello Susan! If you use one colour for the hat, you are correct in thinking to knit until the hat measures 8.5″ from the co edge. If you are knitting on circulars and it is for yourself, you can always try it on when you reach that point to see if you want it to be any longer. I do that to see if it has the right fit or if I want it to have a little more slouch. I am so happy you like my site, thanks so much for visiting! 🙂
Cheri says
I LOVE your site! I appreciate your organization and attractive layouts. And your patterns are beautiful!
handylittleme says
Hello Cheri, thank you so much for your kind words and for taking a look around 🙂 Happy Knitting!