December 03, 2010

BOREAL

This is the perfect pattern for Christmas knitting as it is a quick knit with loads of sizes available. Both the mittens and hat are sized from infant to adult, with the mittens going up to adult extra large, a large man's size. If you are a fan of the Fabulous Hat then this pattern is definitely for you as it has the same earflap construction worked with short rows.

BOREAL HAT

By Meghan Jones

Boreal was designed as the quintessential cabled hat for baby to adult. The Earflaps are shaped with short-rows and have a small cable running the length to the chin. The ultra plush fabric is created with a plethora of cables that twist together, apart and back together creating a fluid design that encapsulates the head in warmth. Boreal means cold and is intended for the nippy winds of fall, the brisk chill of the first snow and the steely cold of January. The sheer quantity of cables create an incredibly stretchy hat that will fit the small wearer for many seasons and is forgiving in sizing for larger heads.

SIZES: XS[S, M, L, XL]

Shown in size M-red, L-purple, XL is an adult size.

FINISHED GARMENT CIRCUMFERENCE: 14[16,18,20,22] inches to fit heads 16[18,20,22,24] inches around

MATERIALS

Knitpick’s Swish worsted [100% Superwash Merino; 110 yd/50g]; 2[2,2,2,2] balls for hat, 1[1,1,2,2,2,2,2,2] balls for mittens, (shown here in colourways Amethyst Heather and Fired Brick.)

1 set US #8/5mm dpns

1 US #8/5mm 24 inch circular needle

Tapestry needle, cable needle, stitch marker

GAUGE

18sts/24 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch, adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

PATTERN NOTES

This hat is worked back and forth on straight needles for the bottom earflap, and then worked in the round on dpns after stitches are cast on for the forehead. Sizing for the length of the hat is worked after the 24 row cable pattern and so each size has a slightly different crown section.