When I was in middle school I joined the local ski club. The Diamond Hill was the scariest and steepest hill. I remember getting off the ski lift and heading right for a tree. I managed to swerve in time, make it down to the ski lodge and ordered a hot chocolate. I remember wearing a beanie with diamonds on it. I have recreated this beanie in honor of my last time skiing, ever!
Read on for the free pattern!
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Skill Level → Intermediate with knowledge of fair isle knitting
Skills to know ↓
Need help? Check out this great book
Yarn
White yarn → Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn
From me to you → a coupon from Hobby Lobby that does not expire
Blue Variegated Yarn → Malabrigo Rios in Azules
Related Post → Biddeford Baby Blanket and Hat
Needles
Knitpicks Caspian Options Short Interchangeable Circular Set
Size 7 and 8 needles with a 16″ cord and a gauge of 18 stitches per 4 inches for the Malabrigo yarn. Check your gauge!
Related Post → The Blake Hat
A Note About Fair Isle Knitting
I have learned everything I know about fair isle knitting from this book – 200 Fair Isle Motifs by Mary Jane Mucklestone. Nearly every fair isle project I knit incorporates charts from this book. Every fair isle technique I have learned has come from this book. If you are going to attempt fair isle knitting for the first time, or if you are experienced in this knitting technique, either way this book is essential in my opinion.
Pattern
Assuming Aran weight yarn, 4″ = 18 stitches: Gauge is important! Swatch first or it may not fit.
For sizes child/teen/adult and size 7 needles, cast-on 64/80/88 stitches. Place marker and join in the round.
Brim
Knit 1, Purl 1 in the round for 1.5″ in variegated yarn for the brim.
Now begin the body of the hat.
Change to size 8 needle.
Knit 1 row, adding in additional stitches throughout the round to make the total stitches a multiple of 6. For example, with this adult size hat, I cast on 88 stitches. After knitting the brim, I added 2 more stitches in the knit row to make a total of 90 stitches, which are a multiple of 6.
Knit the colored part of chart until you are 2 inches from the length of the hat, ending approximately on the middle row.
Knit 1 row white
Knit 1 row variegated
Cut Variegated Yarn and pick up white
Continue knitting until the hat measures 6/7/7.5” from folded edge.
Shape Crown
Note: Change to double pointed needles when there are no longer enough stitches to work on circular needle.
Decrease Round: K8/9, K2tog
Straight round: K
Decrease Round: K7/8 K2tog
Straight round: K
Continue decreasing every other round until 8 stitches remain. Pull tail through remaining stitches to secure and weave in all ends.
Pompom – Optional but fun
If you like a faux fur pompom try here: Etsy: faux fur pompoms
It is also fun to make your own yarn pompoms. I like to use the Knitpicks Clover Pompom Maker. For help use this guide.
I hope you enjoy knitting this fun hat!