Stellar
by Julia Marsh
'Stellar' features a colour work design of intersecting lines and triangles. The stranded ‘Fair Isle' inspired panel creates a head band effect with a contrasting solid crown. Suitable for men and women, can be made as a beanie style hat or add the optional eye catching tassel.
Materials
Two colours of DKweight yarn Main Colour (MC): 70m, Contrast Colour (CC): 35m Photographed in Travelling Yarns - Black Beauly (100% Zwartbles) and Machair (65% Cheviot/35% Zwartbles blend) in hand dyed Autumn Yellow and Teal.
Gauge
26st x 32 rows over 10cm (4ins) in Fair Isle pattern
Needles
Set of 3.75mm dpn's or can be worked with a 3.75mm circular needle 40cm long. This size needle is used to cast on and work the ribbed edging. Set of 4mm dpn's. Can be worked with a 4mm circular needle 40cm long changing to 4mm dpn's during the decrease rounds. Or can be worked using 4mm circular needle 80cm or longer using the Magic Loop method. This size needle is used for working the pattern panel and crown shaping. x2 4mm dpn's for making the optional i-cord.
Size
One size: fits average adult head 48cm -56cm (19-22ins) circumference, approx. 23cm (9ins) from rib edge to top of crown.
Notions
Stitch markers x4 Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Instructions
Cast on 128 stitches in contrast colour on 3.75mm needles. Join for knitting in the round taking care not to twist any stitches. Place a marker for the beginning of the round. Round 1: \*K2, P2 repeat from \* to end in CC. Break yarn. Round 2: Join MC, \*K2, P2 repeat from \* to end. Rounds 3-6: repeat round 2 in MC. Round 7: Change to 4mm needles, K round in MC, increasing 2 stitches evenly across round (130 stitches). Join CC and begin pattern chart as shown. The pattern is worked over ten stitches, repeat the pattern chart 12 times (worked 13 times in total per round) over 22 rounds. Break CC and continue in MC. Knit 9 rounds in MC. Next round knit to end decreasing 2 stitches evenly across round (128 stitches).
Crown Shaping
Next round, K 32, plm, K 32, plm, K 32, plm, K 32. You will have four markers including the 'start of round' marker, for ease use a different colour marker toindicate the startofround. Round 1: \*K2tog, knit to 2 stitches before marker, ssk, slm, repeat from \* to end of round. Round 2: K Repeat these two crown shaping rounds until 14 stitches (including Rnd 2) remain between the markers. Continue Round 1 decreases only, until 8 stitches remain in total. Break yarn leaving 20cm (8inch) tail end. Using a tapestry needle, thread the yarn end through the remaining stitches and pull tight and secure on the inside. Weave in loose ends. Block and shape crown over an upturned bowl if possible.
Tassel
Knit an i-cord 15cm (6ins) long using 4mm dpn's. Attach a tassel toeach end andsewthe centre ofthei-cord tothetothe crown of the hat.
Abbreviations
K: knit P: purl K2tog: knit two stitches together Ssk: slip one stitch from left needle to right needle, replace stitch on left needle in new orientationandknit twostitches fromleft needle together through the back loops. Plm: place marker Slm: slip marker MC: main colour CC: contrast colour
