Peerie Diamond Colourwork Hat
Small stranded diamond bands on a 6-stitch repeat. A gentle first colourwork project with short floats.
- Yarn
- DK (3) wool in main colour A and contrast B. Woolly, sticky wool is easiest for stranding.
- Needles
- US 5 (3.75 mm) and US 6 (4 mm) 16 in (40 cm) circulars; US 6 DPNs
- Sizes
- Any size from preemie to adult large. Use the Finished hat and Height columns of the hat size chart. Example: adult medium.
- Example gauge
- 24 sts and 28 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) in stranded colourwork on US 6
- Yarn needed
- About 150 yd A and 60 yd B in DK. Choose “Stranded colourwork” in the calculator.
- Stitch multiple
- 12 (6 for the motif, 12 crown sections)
Do the math
The examples use the gauge above. Put your own swatch into the gauge calculator first, then use your numbers in each formula.
| Step | Formula | Example | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cast on | finished hat circumference × sts per in, rounded to a multiple of 12 | 21.5 × 6 = 129 → 132 sts | Cast-On Calculator |
| Sts per crown section | cast on ÷ 12 | 132 ÷ 12 = 11 | By hand |
| Start crown at | hat height − 3 in | 8.5 − 3 = 5.5 in | Size Charts |
Materials
- DK (3) yarn (see yarn needed)
- US 5 (3.75 mm) and US 6 (4 mm) 16 in (40 cm) circulars; US 6 DPNs
- Marker
- Tapestry needle
Gauge swatch
Swatch the diamond band in the round. Stranded knitting is tighter than plain, so this gauge sets the size.
Instructions
Brim
With smaller needle and A, cast on (example: 132 sts). Join. Rnd 1: *K2, p2; rep from *. Work 2 in. Change to larger needle and knit 3 rnds A.
Diamond band (6-st repeat)
Rnd 1: *K2 A, k1 B, k3 A; rep from *.
Rnd 2: *K1 A, k1 B, k1 A, k1 B, k2 A; rep from *.
Rnd 3: *K1 B, k3 A, k1 B, k1 A; rep from *.
Rnd 4: Work as rnd 2. Rnd 5: Work as rnd 1.
Knit 4 rnds A. Work the band again with the colours swapped (B background, A diamonds), then knit 4 rnds A. Repeat the first band once more.
Knit in A until the “start crown at” height.
Crown
Rnd 1: *K9, k2tog; rep from * 11 more times.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Repeat, knitting 1 fewer before each k2tog, until 24 sts remain. K2tog around (12 sts).
Finishing
- Draw yarn through remaining sts.
- Wet block over a balloon or bowl to even out the stranding.
Designer’s notes
- Hold the dominant colour (the diamonds) in your left hand so it sits slightly proud.
- Longest float is 5 sts (rnd 1). At DK gauge that’s under an inch, so no need to catch it.
- Plain stockinette usually knits looser than colourwork. Swatch a few rounds of plain A too: if it’s looser, go down a needle size for the plain rounds so the hat doesn’t flare above the bands.
Counter set-up
Counter 1: rounds in the current band (1–5). Counter 2: bands done.
Open the row & stitch counter for several counters, or use the quick one below.
Want it on paper? This pattern is in Winter Warmers pattern collection, a printable PDF of 12 patterns with photos and row tallies ($8).
Tools for this pattern
- Gauge CalculatorEnter your swatch counts to get stitches and rows per 4 in (10 cm).
- Cast-On CalculatorEnter your width and gauge; it rounds to the stitch multiple for you.
- Size ChartsLook up the finished measurements for the size you are making.
- Yarn Quantity CalculatorPick the project, size and yarn weight to get total yardage and skeins to buy.
- Row & Stitch CounterSet up the counters listed below; the screen stays awake while you work.