Knit Matching Colorwork Hat and Mitts

I love a good matched set of knitting patterns (though now that I think about it, the only matching things I have are a shawl and a pair of mittens I worked in the same yarn). They’re great to knit for gifts or to make for yourself, and kind of give you an extra air of being a maker because matched sets like that aren’t that common in stores.

The Wavebreaker hat and fingerless mitt pattern from Francoise Danoy features a take on the Ng?ru (wave) pattern in traditional Maori designs, evoking the swirling waves caused by a canoe paddle going through the water. The intent is to bring a sense of calm, both in the knitting and wearing these objects.

The repeating design, which looks a little bit like hearts on their sides, is repeated in bands of different background colors. You’re still only working two colors at a time, but if you’d rather you can always work the background in a single color.

The pattern uses sport weight yarn in three colors total. The hat is 20 inches around and the mitts are 7 inches around, so both should fit a small to medium woman. Both have ribbed edgings for a good fit.

The patterns are sold as a set, and you can get them with their pay what you can model on Ravelry.

If you’re new to stranded knitting, I’ve got a quick Fair Isle tutorial on my blog. Looking for more fun stranded colorwork patterns? I love these Summer Picnic Socks (which of course don’t have to be just for summer if you stitch them in different colors) and the Kenora Cowl pattern is perfect for the cold time of year because it’s knit with a lining layer that covers up your floats and brings an extra layer of coziness to the project.

[Photo: Francoise Danoy]

Book Review 200 Fair Isle Motifs: A Knitter’s Directory

Free Knitting Pattern Northen Lights Fair Isle Sweater

Fair Isle Knitting For Beginners

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I happen to live in the Northern Hemisphere, but I know we have a lot of Southern Hemisphere friends, too, who are heading into the cooler months as we are warming up. Whichever one of the seasons you’re in, you might want to stitch up this sweet little hood.

This pattern by saskie&co is called snug hood and it uses two colors of yarn to make a close-fitting pixie style hood (almost a balaclava but it doesn’t cover your face, though there is a neck covering portion to keep you a little warmer). You can use the fingering weight wool and mohair held together that are called for in the pattern, or use a single strand of DK weight yarn.

The neck portion and the edging around the face are worked in ribbing in a single color, while the body of the hat includes an allover colorwork flower pattern. The project is worked both flat and in the round and there is colorwork that is knit flat, which means you’ll have to purl in colorwork (which some people don’t like; also, you can’t see what you’re doing as well on the back of the work).

The pattern comes in one size and the colorwork is charted. Testers noted this is a quick and easy project and a great way to learn some new skills (chart reading, working stranded colorwork flat) if you’ve never tried those things before. They noted the hood is cute, comfortable and warm, and a few said it didn’t take as much yarn as the pattern suggests, so bear that in mind if you’re trying to use stash.

Speaking of the pattern notes, check out all the cute color variations in the projects on Ravelry. From pink and red to blue and white to gray and cream, there are lots of great options to think about.

You can buy this pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: saskie&co]

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