The Heart Beanie

You will need:

• US sizes 7 and 8 circular needles, 16″
• Set of US size 8 DPNs
• Stitch marker
• Yarn guide (optional, but super helpful for colorwork knitting)
• Yarn needle (for weaving in ends)
• Worsted weight yarn of your choice (I recommend wool blends) in two colors. The hat pictured was made with Lion Brand Wool Ease Worsted yarn in Gold and Eggplant.

Gauge and sizing:

• Gauge is 18 stitches in 4″,  or 4.5 stitches per inch
• S/M size will fit 19-21″ adult head
• L/XL size will fit 22-24″ adult head
• Where instructions differ between sizes in the pattern, the S/M size is listed first with L/XL following in quotations.

Abbreviations used:

• cc: contrasting color (design color)
• co: cast on
• k: knit
• k2p2: knit two stitches, purl two stitches
• k2tg: knit two stitches together
• mc: main color (background color)
• rnd(s): round(s)
• st(s): stitch(es)

Start here:

1. With mc and smaller circular needles, co 88 (100) sts using your preferred method; place stitch marker to mark beginning of rnd; join to k in the rnd making sure sts are not twisted.
2. k2p2 until work measures 4″.
3. Switch to larger circular needles, k 1 rnd and for S/M size only, increase 2 stitches evenly around (for a total of 90 sts). For L/XL size, just k 1 rnd.
4. For both sizes, k 1 more rnd.
5. Join cc to begin colorwork. For all 16 rnds of the chart, repeat columns 1-10 nine (ten) times. Remember to “catch” your floats if using one color for more than 5 sts at a time.

***chart is worked from right to left and bottom to top***

When colorwork is complete, k 1(3) rnd(s). Now you’re ready to decrease!
Decreasing: 
(switch to dpns when sts become too tight on circular needles)

1. k8, k2tg; repeat to end of rnd – 81 (90) sts remain
2. k to end of rnd
3. k7, k2tg; repeat to end of rnd – 72 (80) sts remain
4. k to end of rnd
5. k6, k2tg; repeat to end of rnd – 63 (70) sts remain
6. k to end of rnd
7. k5, k2tg; repeat to end of rnd – 54 (60) sts remain
8. k to end of rnd
9. k4, k2tg; repeat to end of rnd – 45 (50) sts remain
10. k to end of rnd
11. k3, k2tg; repeat to end of rnd – 36 (40) sts remain
12. k to end of rnd
13. k2, k2tg; repeat to end of rnd – 27 (30) sts remain
14. k to end of rnd
15. k1, k2tg; repeat to end of rnd – 18 (20) sts remain
16. k to end of rnd
17. k2tg; repeat to end of rnd – 9 (10) sts remain

Finishing:
Cut yarn, use yarn needle to thread tail through remaining 9 (10) stitches and pull tightly to close. Weave in ends. Block and add pompom if desired.