Use the code ZIGZAG for 20% off the Milk Punch pattern until Sunday 1/12 at midnight EST.

Milk Punch features a striking, but simple diagonal pattern, knit in a creamy white to really show off the texture and give the hat a classic feel. Magpie Fibers Nest Worsted has the perfect amount of memory for a hat and some fantastic stitch definition. If you have a skein laying around or have been wanting to give Nest a try, it’s a great choice for this design.

The zig zags here are a fun and easily memorized motif to work, involving only knit and purl stitches, which move across the fabric every two rounds. (And yes, it’s one of the squares I used on my Stolen Stitches blanket last year. You can expect to see a few of these ideas pop up again in 2025!)

I designed Milk Punch to include a touch more length than a fitted beanie. It has just enough extra room to subtly bunch at the crown instead of laying flat and round on your head, which for me, gives the hat a modern feel. I love how it seems both updated and classic at the same time, and that the motif isn’t something you see every day.

Pattern has both charted and written motif instructions.

Notes are also included on how to modify the hat for size if needed.

Sizes:
16.75(18.25,19.75,21.25)”
42.5(46.75,50.25,54)cm circumference.
9”/22.75cm deep with brim folded.
10.25”/26cm deep unfolded.

Choose the size that is 1-2”/2.5-5cm smaller than actual circumference of head, as hat stretches when worn.

Yardage Per Size:
150(175,200,225)yds
137(160,185,205)m
Estimates are rounded up and include some buffer. Worsted weight yarn needed to knit as shown.

If trying to check your gauge based on a stockinette estimate, look for a yarn that knits to 20sts/28rows on a US#7/4mm needle. Note that you still need to swatch and block in pattern, as different fibers behave differently and your personal tension and gauge in pattern can vary. Gauge in pattern should be 21 sts/32 rounds per 4”/10cm.

Magpie Nest Worsted sample shown in Natural.