As you’ll see in my old notes, below, for adult-sized North Star Hats, knit according to the pattern with 5 repeats, I used Aran weight yarn, but then knit the Aran weight yarn at a slightly compressed gauge for an extra-warm hat and sharply-defined colorwork. (I almost always knit hats and mittens at a compressed gauge - we don’t need drape for hats and mittens - we need warmth!) Beware - despite what many labels say, there really is a difference between “Aran” (usually 4 sts/inch) and “Worsted” (usually 4.5 sts/inch) For slightly smaller hats for my (then-young) sons, I used worsted weight
yarn and compressed it a bit, too.

Look through knitters’ North Star Hat projects and you’ll see several have added an extra repeat for a 6-pointed star. That’s absolutely fine…IF you use a lighter weight yarn and knit it at a tighter gauge.

Dale Hegre (Aran weight) and Freestyle (worsted weight) have been discontinued, so I’ve added several possible substitutes. Just be sure that you’re knitting the right weight yarn at the right gauge for your targeted size.
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This is a circular-knit, two-color hat with a ribbed band at the bottom and traditional Norwegian-style stranded
knitting motifs covering all rows above. The motifs in the crown are shaped to form a 5-pointed star, when
viewed from the top. The I-cord and tassel are optional. The same set of instructions will work for knitting hats in a range of sizes, from youth through extra large adult, provided the gauge is adjusted, as indicated in the pattern.

I used Hegre for the medium sheep heather #3841 / light sheep heather #2931 (beige/natural) version which was knit at the 4.5 st/in gauge for the avg adult size - not so coincidentally my size - I’m keepin’ it!! My husband’s XL uses Hegre at its slightly looser ballband gauge of 4 sts/in.

For my boys, I’m using machine washable, worsted weight Freestyle (see the blue/gold version), which will work well for either the average or youth sizes.

In all cases, you only need 2 50g balls of yarn for the hat - 1 in each of 2 contrasting shades.

Happy knitting!