Introducing Broken Stripes - the first pattern of 2020!

Well, it's a new decade, so we need some new hat patterns.  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and that 2020 is off to a good start.

I hope many of you made resolutions to make more chemo caps this year and to help more people!  The world needs more kindness and we are each responsible for trying to make things a little better in our own corners of the world.

This hat is a very versatile and easy knit.  You can make it using 2, 3 or 4 colors or even more!  As long as you have enough yarn to knit 4 rows, you can use up your stash and have fun with it.  I've worked it in a variety of ways to be sure it all works and it does.


The models were knit using 5-weight and 6-weight yarn, but the pattern has instructions for all yarn weights.  Use up your stash and make a great hat!  Most of my color inspiration came from nature.......but use your own experiences and whichever colors speak to you!

You will need 2, 3, 4 or more colors of 5-weight yarn and size 10.5 circular needles or another combination listed below.

Broken Stripes

Abbreviations:

s1: slip one stitch purl wise, with yarn in back

k2tog:  knit 2 stitches together

Using Color A, cast on 64 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:  Using Color A

Row 1:   knit all stitches

Row 2:   purl all stitches

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until your work measures 1.5 to  2 inches in length, or longer if you prefer.

If you want a contrasting band just repeat Row 1 & 2, using Color D

Work Body of Hat 

Color B  Rows 1- 4:   knit all stitches 

Color C  Row 5:  *s1, k3*; repeat around 

Rows 6-8:   knit all stitches

Color B  Row 9:  *k2, s1, k1*; repeat around 

Rows 10-12:   knit all stitches

Repeat Rows 5 -12 until piece is about 7 to 7.5 inches in length.  End with a Row 5 or 9.  Decrease crown with whatever color you are using for the previous row.

Decrease Crown:  use dpn’s when needed

Row 1:   *k2, k2tog*; repeat around

Row 2:   *k1, k2tog *; repeat around

Row 3:   *k2tog*; repeat around

If you only want to use 2 colors, use Color A for the brim and Rows 1-4, then switch to B for Rows 5-9, then back to A for 9-12 and continue alternating.  

You are switching colors on every Row 5 and Row 9, so use more colors if you want!

Finish:  Cut working yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail.  Draw the tail through the remaining stitches, cinch closed and secure.  Weave in ends and share.

If using 6-weight yarn, use size 13 needles and cast on 48.  

If using 4-weight yarn, use size 7 needles and cast on 84.  

If using 3-weight yarn, use size 5 needles and cast on 104 stitches.   

The pattern is worked over 4 stitches, so adjust accordingly for other sizes.  

Top Model:  Color A:  dark brown, Color D: red, Color B: green and Color C: orange

 Color A:  dk green, Color D:  white, Color B:  light brown, Color C:  dk brown

Color A:  brown, Color B:  orange, Color C:  cream

Color A:  dk green, Color B:  white

Learn more about Delaware Head Huggers by visiting www.delawareheadhuggers.org

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We also have patterns available as paperbacks or a Kindle e-books from Amazon.  They can be purchased here. 

Remember to join us on our Facebook page - you can see all the beautiful hats that are donated and shipped out.   

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Stop by Kozy Kovers for Kids Facebook page too and see all the gorgeous handmade blankets that are going to help children in crisis throughout our area.  We welcome everyone to join us.  Stop by and say hello.  

You can always reach me at robin@delawareheadhuggers.org too!

If you want to donate to Delaware Head Huggers, you can use the donate button on the right hand side of the page.  Every dollar helps us get hats out to those who need them most.