There are hats you make because you need a hat. And then there’s the Novemberist—a hat with a story behind it.

November 2018 felt like it held multiple lifetimes. That month, I had my first trunk show at a local yarn shop, where I picked up two yarns for a hat design I had brewing. Then my husband Cody, his little cousin, and I took our first trip to Victoria, British Columbia, to explore the city, catch live music, and enjoy great food. And after all that, I attempted something I’d never done before: stranded colorwork.

The design process was playful and exciting. I developed three chevron charts, swatched two, and chose one for this pattern—the other would later become my Kestra Hat. While making the very first hat in the colors I’d chosen at the LYS, I learned to keep my floats relaxed, to catch them properly, and to maintain the right color dominance. It was awkward and fun, using both my hands together in a way that was entirely new.

For the final sample, Cody helped me choose colors from my stash: a warm red with rust and strawberry undertones for the chevrons, paired with natural for the background. I made the brim doubly thick, both for warmth and because I loved how a pop of color would peek out from beneath it. I’d done something similar on another hat pattern called Corbin, and I really loved the look.

The hat that emerged from that memorable month became part of the Novemberist set, a hat and mitt pairing that’s waiting to become part of your story too. What will your November look like?

What makes it special

• Two-color stranded colorwork with a clear repeat. The main chevron pattern is straightforward and easy to memorize without constantly checking a chart. Decreases are then worked in the colorwork for a unique pinwheel effect.

• A turned brim that finishes itself. Start with a provisional cast on then knit one layer in stockinette, change colors, knit another. Your contrast color shows along the bottom edge for a detail that’s already baked into the construction and a fun pop of color.

• Doubled thickness throughout. Two layers of fabric from the doubled brim plus the floats running through the colorwork mean genuine warmth and structure.

• Quick to finish. DK weight, simple structure, done in a few knitting sessions.

What you get

• A clear, downloadable PDF. With tips for stranding the colors, catching floats, and instructions for working the chained provisional cast on—no guessing.

• A video for the provisional cast on. Learn the technique before you cast on, or reference it while you work.

• Two finished sizes. Plus notes on adjusting the height and circumference if you want to customize the fit.

The Knitty-Gritty

Description
The Novemberist hat is part of a hat and mitt set dreamed up during an especially memorable November. Made in two high-contrast colorways, this hat is doubly thick throughout with a turned hem and a chevron stitch pattern achieved by stranded knitting—both features that make this hat very warm while being equally stylish!

Sizes
Small (Medium)

Finished Measurements
16¾ (19¼)” / 42.5 (49) cm circumference at brim

Yarn
Approximately 187 yards (171 meters) DK weight yarn:

• 95 yards (87 meters) main color
• 92 yards (84 meters) contrasting color

Needles & Hooks

• US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 16” (40 cm)
• Spare US 6 (4 mm) or no more than 2 sizes smaller circular needle, 16” (40 cm)
• Appropriate needle(s) of the same size for your preferred method of knitting small circumferences in the round
• Size G (4 mm) crochet hook (for provisional cast on)

Change needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Gauge

Stockinette Stitch: 20 sts and 32 rnds = 4” (10 cm), in the round, after blocking

Stranded Colorwork: 28 sts and 26 rnds = 4” (10 cm), in the round, after blocking

Notions

• (1) Stitch marker for beginning of round

• Waste yarn (in a third, contrasting color; smooth; and no thicker than working yarn)

• Tapestry needle

• (1) Size ⅞” (22 mm) slightly concave button

• (1) 4” (10 cm) pom pom (with an elastic loop attached)