For more helix knitting patterns, see the rest of my Ink Series.

Worked in the round from the brim to the top, Ink Hat uses the helix knitting technique to create easy jogless one-row stripes. Completely reversible thanks to invisible color changes, one side displays stockinette stitch and the other reverse stockinette, each with a slipped stitch decorative linear detail. Pair two contrasting tonal yarns, or match a neutral main color with a self-striping contrast or an array of leftovers. Versatile fingering weight yarn makes a comfortably chic lightweight hat.

Construction: the helix knitting technique avoids the jog in color between stripe rounds, as well as removes the ridge where yarns are carried on the reverse of the work, making the hat delightfully reversible. The Ink Hat offers two brim variations; cast on using the tubular method with color A for a smooth, infinity edge and continue 1” in double knitting for a stockinette appearance, or transition to comfortable K1P1 ribbing. Add color B for the helix stripes section, worked with just one color every round. For my video tutorial of helix stripe knitting & the special decreases used in this pattern, as well as for the tubular CO, see www.jenniferdassau.com/support/tutorials/

Techniques & Skills Used: tubular CO, knit/purl, slipped stitches, decreasing, working in the round.

Size: S (M, L); about 17.5 (19, 20.25)” brim circumference and 8.5 (10, 11)” height, measured flat and unstretched; samples shown in sizes S (blue Ink) and M (black Ink).

Yarn: use fingering weight yarn in two colors from any combination of full skeins, mini skeins, or leftovers, about 80-120 (A) and 70-90 (B) yards total

Yarn (black Ink sample): Miss Babs Yummy 2-Ply (100% superwash merino wool; 400 yards/365m/110g), 1 skein Pewter (A), and Miss Babs Yummy 2-Ply Toes (100% superwash merino wool; 133 yards/122m/37g), 1 mini skein Coffee Bean (B). The black sample used 105 (A) and 80 (B) yards.

Yarn (blue Ink sample): Woolfolk Sno (100% merino wool; 223 yards/204m/50g), 1 skein 01+02 off white (A), and Miss Babs Yummy 2-Ply (100% superwash merino wool, 400 yards/365m/110g), 1 skein Stonewashed (B). The blue sample used 75 (A) and 70 (B) yards.

Yarn (orange Ink sample): Miss Babs Keira (100% merino wool; 560 yards/512m/225g), 1 skein Carnelian (A), and Hedgehog Fibres Sock (90% merino wool, 10% nylon; 437 yards/400m/100g), 1 skein Roc City (B). The orange sample used 100 (A) and 80 (B) yards.

Other Materials: US 5 (3.75mm) 16” circular needle, or size to match gauge; US 4 (3.5mm) 16” circular needle and scrap yarn for tubular CO; Stitch markers (4 color A and 4 color B); Yarn needle.

Gauge: 22 st and 32 rounds/4” in stockinette stitch after blocking.

Thank you to my wonderful tech editor Kate Vanover.