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Who can resist these adorable penguin partners? Under snowy skies the penguins look after each other while the icy winter winds rage around them. Featuring cute penguins, hearts and snowflakes, this fun-to-knit design will keep you warm and cosy throughout the winter!

Using DK yarn this hat works up quickly making it the perfect gift knitting! It is designed using a slightly tighter tension than given on the yarn label to result in a denser, more wind resistant fabric to combat cold winter winds.

Method: This stranded colourwork hat is knit in the round from the brim up. It can be worked in two or more contrasting colors, features a Latvian braid, and is topped off with a fluffy pompom. A tutorial for Latvian braids is included in the pattern.

This hat can be knitted on dpns, by magic loop, or on a short circular (in which case you will still need dpns for the crown decreases).

Please note the colorwork design in this pattern is charted not written out. You need to be prepared to read and work from charts in order to enjoy knitting this design.

Size: This pattern is written in 3 sizes. All instructions that differ depending on the size you are knitting are color coded and indicated with parentheses like this: S (M, L).

Sizing has 1.5” – 3” (3.75 - 7.75 cm) of negative ease built in, so choose a size 1.5” – 3” (3.75 - 7.75 cm) smaller than the head circumference of the intended wearer

Size S: 20”, (51cm) circumference
Size M: 21.25”, (54cm) circumference
Size L: 22.5”, (57cm) circumference

Yarn: You can use any DK yarn that you like and with which you can get gauge to knit this hat. I have chosen to use a 100% wool yarn because the resulting fabric “breathes” better than an acrylic yarn would - this helps your head not overheat as you warm up when you’re out and about.

Please note I do not recommend using yarns with a high cotton content as cotton doesn’t stretch as much as other fibers and this will affect the fit of your hat.

This is a great pattern to experiment with color and use mini skeins or any leftovers lurking in your stash. Be creative, have fun, but keep in mind changes will affect yardage and number of ends to weave in. The amounts of each color required will depend on how many colors you pick, where you choose to use them in the hat, and which size you are knitting. As a guide for the hat pictured (size M in two colors) I used the following quantities of West Yorkshire Spinners ColourLab DK:

MC – 716 Deep Teal approx. 100 metres (110 yards)
CC – 11 Arctic White approx. 65 metres (71 yards)

Needles: 3.75mm dpns, long circular for magic loop, or short circular (in which case you will still need dpns to work the crown decreases) or size needed for gauge
3.25mm dpns, long circular for magic loop or short circular for knitting brim.

Other Materials Required:
Stitch Markers
Pompom
Small button (if attaching pompom with elastic loop)
Tape Measure
Scissors
Darning needle for sewing in ends