Multi coloured yarns can be irresistible but sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what to do with them once we’ve bought them! Sometimes the colours don’t work up in the way we had hoped, yet that combination of colours is what attracted us to the yarn in the first place. I decided to show off all the pretty colours in this yarn by spacing them out with single row stripes and, because I wanted something simple to knit, chose to use the helical stripe method. The name Helicem comes from the Latin for Helix.

Method:
This hat is knit in the round from the brim up using basic 1 round helical stripes. Knitting in the round is essentially knitting in a spiral (or a helix), the last stitch of each row sits one row above the first stitch. When working traditional 1x1 stripes the first colour is dropped at the end of the round and carried up the back of the fabric while the second colour is worked. This is then dropped, and the first colour is worked again. This method creates a visual “jog” at the start of the round and a ridge on the reverse of the fabric. By adding a second helix in the second colour we eliminate both this jog and the ridge in the simplest way possible.

It 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).

Instructions for how to knit 1x1 helical stripes are included in the pattern.

Sizes:
This pattern is written in 2 sizes. All instructions that differ depending on the size you are knitting are color coded and indicated with parentheses like this: 1 (2). For a comfy fit choose a size 1” – 3” (3.75 - 6 cm) smaller than the head circumference of the intended wearer.

Size - Actual Circumference - To fit head circumference
1 - 17” (43 cm) - 18-20” (46-51 cm)
2 - 20” (51 cm) - 21-23” (53-58 cm)

Yarn:
This pattern was designed with Cygnet Pato Multi Colours Chunky and a contrasting neutral color of Cygnet Pato Chunky. You can use any Chunky (Bulky) weight yarn that you like and with which you can get tension/ gauge.

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.

I used 1x 100g ball of Cygnet Pato Multi Colours Chunky in 80090 Dance Class and 1 x 100g ball of Cygnet Pato Chunky in 888 White to make two hats, one of each size, including pompoms.