Brown Beanie Pattern

I bought some of my favorite yarn to make some hats for my Etsy store, and here's a little something I designed. It is size 2T-5T and measures with an 18" circumference and is 7" from ribbing to crown.

Even though it's a touch time consuming, the colorwork is fun, easy, and it creates an amazing effect and pattern. 

This assumes that you have knitting experience + some stranded colorwork experience and know how to switch colors and carry the strand along the back of the work.

Materials needed: 

16" circular needles, size 6. 

I use two sets of circulars for my decrease, but you can also use 4 double pointed needles to accomplish the same thing.  

1 skein KnitPicks Comfy Worsted yarn for the main color. 

Approx. 1/4 skein for the contrasting color(s).

I used Bison for the main color and Light Blue, Carrot, and Creme Brulee for the contrasting colors.

Abbreviations:

K=knit

P=purl

MC=Main Color

CC= Contrasting Color

st=stitch

sts=stitches

K2tog: Knit two together

Directions:

With MC, cast on 88 stitches. Join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist.

For the ribbing, K2P2 around until the ribbing measures approx. 1"; this will be about 8-10 rounds. 

After ribbing is finished:

1. K 3 rounds with MC
2. *K1 MC, K1 CC; repeat from * all the way around 
3. K 3 rounds with MC
4. *K1 CC, K1 MC; repeat from * all the way around

Repeat 1-2 so so that you then have three rows of CC sts.
Switch to your second CC and do the same thing, making sure that you have 3 rounds of MC in between your CC rounds and that you have three rounds of MCst, CCst

Continue this until hat measure 5" from bottom then start the decrease.
I got a total of 8 stripes of alternating MC/CC sts before I started the decrease.

For the decrease, continue in the pattern and...

*K6, K2tog; repeat from * around.  

K around

*K5, K2tog; repeat from * around.

K around

*K4, K2tog; repeat from * around.

K around

*K3, K2tog; repeat from * around.

K around

*K2, K2tog; repeat from * around.

K around

*K1, K2tog; repeat from * around.

K around

K2tog all the way around. 

 Cut off a long tail, and string it through the remaining sts on needles. Pull tight. Weave in all ends. 

The Chevron Problem.

So. I think I have a problem. And really, when you think about it, there are worse problems to have. However. This one is growing a little out of control.

The problem? Chevron. As my friend would say, I'm "gently" addicted.

Okay.

Maybe not so gently?

Here's why I love it so:

• It's classic. 
• It's easy to crochet, but not boring.
• It works up relatively quickly. 
• It's versatile.
• You can do a lot with color and stripe work.
• It's always a hit.

And...as a bonus, (maybe not? I'm not sure yet?)

Chevron is really popular now. My first chevron afghan I made back in August 2011 and I haven't been able to stop! But it's everywhere. Rugs, dresses, necklaces, fabrics, paper...everywhere! I LOVE IT!

I've made two adult-size afghans, and am on my third baby blanket.

Here's one I made back in July for sweet baby J.

For sweet baby J's, I used KnitPicks (my fave!) Comfy Sport (my fave!) in Creme Brulee (that lovely mustard yellow) and Whisker (the amazing gray).

For each baby blanket, I use the Sunshine Baby Afghan pattern, which can be found here.

I always buy extra yarn but really need to keep better track of how much yarn I used for each blanket. With Comfy Sport, I used  probably 5-6 skeins of each color. Each skein makes one of the big stripes.

Currently on my hooks is a blue and white one for baby C due in February!