This pattern was originally published as Fiber Rhythm Craft & Design’s contribution to the 2025 Rose City Yarn Crawl, March 6-9, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. This pattern is also available for download as part of the 2025 Pattern Collection: Our Sky Full of Stars

In 2025, the Rose City Yarn Crawl’s theme is, “Our Sky full of Stars.” Out of all the stars, we chose the stars Castor and Pollux, the two main stars in the constellation Gemini. Our knit pattern is Castor, and our crochet pattern is Pollux.

As the story goes, Castor and Pollux are twins, but have different fathers. Pollux was a demi-god whose father was Zeus. Castor was the mortal son of King Tyndarus. When the mortal Castor was killed, Pollux asked his father Zeus to let him share his immortality with his twin to keep them together. They were then transformed into the constellation Gemini. Geminis are thus said to have a dual personality and their strength lies in their versatility.

The Castor Beanie’s colorwork suggests both shooting and brilliant stars. The double knitting technique honors the duality of the Gemini constellation. This creates a warm, reversible hat where one side is the inverse color pattern of the other.

Yarn
Malabrigo Silky Merino (51% Silk, 49% Merino; 150 yds/50 gm)
1 skein Main Color - 150 Azul Profundo
1 skein Contrast Color - 429 Cape Cod Grey. Total yardage 300 yds

Needles
US size #4/3.5 mm double pointed needles. Circular needles in the same size are optional.

Gauge
28 sts and 36 rows in 4” in Stockinette Stitch using US 4 needles

Notions
1 stitch marker (different from the rest) to mark beginning of round
10 (11, 12, 13) regular stitch markers
Cable or other stitch holder
Yarn or tapestry needle

Finished Measurements
Finished Circumference at ribbing (unstretched): 15.5 (17, 18.5, 20) inches
To Fit (head circumference): 18 (20, 22, 24) inches

Skill Level
Intermediate