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The Bitterroot Sagebrush Beanie- Knitting Pattern

The Bitterroot Sagebrush Beanie

Hi Makers! Hannah here, the designer, knitwear blogger, and maker behind Bears Den Essentials (@bearsdenessentials). Fall, my favorite time of year, is arriving quickly, which means it’s time to start knitting up projects for the cooler temps. Living in Montana, our falls are incredibly short, but the vibrant colors and textures of the Northern Rockies pack a punch. This project uses lacework to celebrate two fixtures of the Ruby Valley which I call home: sagebrush and bitterroot. 

 

Inspired by the state flower of Montana and “the West’s most important plant” the Bitterroot Sagebrush Beanie showcases the beautiful textures of my Big Sky Country landscape in this form-fitting, textured lace design that uses local yarn from Ranching Tradition Fiber of the Tobacco Root Valley.

 

Sagebrush is a nurse plant, which means it helps create the necessary conditions for other important native plants, like Bitterroot, to grow. Bitterroot is a culturally important wildflower with striking pink petals that have been used for millennia as a dietary supplement and medicinal aid. 

 

This beanie is a cute accessory to wear in town or on the trails, and the folded-over brim will be sure to keep your head and ears nice and warm.

MATERIALS:

 

Yarn: Tobacco Root Valley Yarn by Ranching Tradition Fiber. Tobacco Root Valley Yarn is 100% Targhee wool and is locally processed at The Montana Wool Barn. It has wonderful bounce.

250 Yards (229 meters) | 100 grams | DK Weight (Category 3) | Number of skeins needed per hat: 1

 

Yarn Yardage: 200 Yards / 183 Meters | 80 grams in the desired color. Examples are shown in Slate and Bitterroot.             

 

Knitting Needles: 

US Size 5 (3.75m

Takumi Bamboo Knitting Needles Circular

Clover Takumi Bamboo Circular Knitting Needles 16” – Art No. 3016-16-05

Clover Takumi Bamboo Knitting Needles Double Pointed (7″)- Art No. 3015-07

 Clover Takumi Bamboo Circular Knitting Needles 16” (41cm) – Art No. 3016/ 16-07

 

Notions:

Clover Triangle Stitch Markers, Size Small –Art No. 3149  

(1 unique stitch marker for marking the end-of-the-round, 3 additional stitch markers)

Clover Darning Needle Set- Art No. 339

Clover Knitting Counter- Art No. 336

Clover Yarn Cutter Pendant- Art No. 3106

Clover Knitting Needle Point Protectors- Art No. 333/S (recommended but not required – helps prevent stitches from slipping off the needles)

 

GAUGE:

Approx. 18 sts x 27 rows = 4 inches square in stockinette stitch (after blocking) using 4.5mm/US 7 needles

Approx. 19 sts/29 rounds = 4 inches square in pattern stitch (after blocking) using 4.5mm/US 7 needles

 

SIZE INFORMATION:

The Bitterroot Sagebrush Beanie is designed to be slouchy and sized to fit an average adult’s head (22”-24”). The model has a 23” circumference head.

 

Finished Measurements:

Finished Circumference: 19” (48.26 cm) around the brim, 18” around the body of the hat

Folded Brim Length: 2.5”

Finished Hat Length 9” (23 cm) – brim folded in half

 

Gauge:

19 sts and 29 rows = 4” (10 cm) with larger needles in Lace Pattern

18 sts and 28 rows = 4” (10 cm) with larger needles in Stockinette Stitch

 

Schematic:

Abbreviations and Stitch Glossary:

 

  • Approx: Approximately
  • CO: Cast on [Note: The beginning of the beanie is cast on using the Chinese Waitress CO method (or any preferred method).]
  • Dpn(s): Double-pointed needles
  • K: Knit
  • K2TOG: Knit two stitches together (a right-slanting decrease stitch)
  • P: Purl
  • Rem: Remain
  • Rnd(s): Round(s)
  • Pm: Place marker (place down one stitch marker)
  • M: Markers
  • SSK: Slip Slip Knit (a left-slanting decrease stitch)
  • Sm: Slip the stitch marker over
  • Stockinette Stitch created by knitting each stitch of every round
  • St(s): Stitch(es)
  • WS/ RS: Wrong side of the work / Right side of the work
  • YO: Yarn Over Increase
  • “ / cm(s): Inch(es) / Centimeter(s)
  • 1×1 Rib(bing): Knit 1, Purl 1

 

PATTERN:

 

CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW: This Beanie is worked in the round from the bottom up, starting with a 1×1 ribbing to create a folded-over brim. Body of hat entails increases and decreases to create a lovely lacework design. For knitters who like a visual reference, follow the pattern stitch chart to work the lacework on the body of the hat. For knitters who prefer written directions for their lacework, follow the Body pattern instructions. Crown is a 4-corner decrease knit in stockinette stitch. The hat is worn slightly slouchy with room at the top. Since it’s made with 100% wool, I recommend blocking it before wearing, and then moving forward hand wash it gently with your preferred wool wash.

 

BRIM:

With size US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles, cast on 84 sts using the double chain (Chinese Waitress) Cast On. Place stitch marker, then join in the round. Be careful not to twist the yarn.

 

Round 1: K1, p1 around to end-of-round marker, sm.

Continue working in ribbing (k1, p1) until work measures 5” (13 cm) from CO edge.

 

BODY: [See Pattern Stitch Chart for reference]

Change to size US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles. 

 

Round 1: *K8, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k8, pm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm.

Round 2 (and all other even-numbered rounds): Knit around to end-of-round marker, sm.

Round 3: K7, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k7, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm.

Round 5: K6, k2tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, yo, ssk, k6, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm.

Round 7: K5, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, yo, k1, ssk, yo, ssk, k5, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm.

Round 9: K4, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, ssk, yo, ssk, k4, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm.

Round 11: K3, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, ssk, yo, ssk, k3, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm.

Round 13: K2, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, ssk, yo, ssk, k2, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm.

Round 15: K1, k2tog, yo, ssk, k5, yo, k1, yo, k5, k2tog, yo, ssk, k1, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm.

Round 17: K2Tog, yo, k1 yo, ssk, k11, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm.

Round 19: K4, yo, ssk, k9, k2tog, yo, k4, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm.

Round 21: K5, yo, ssk, k7, k2tog, yo, k5, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm.

Round 23: K6, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k6, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm.

Round 25: K7, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k7, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm.

Round 27: K8, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k8, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm.

Round 29: K9, yo, slip1 stitch knit wise, k2tog pass slipped stitch over stitches worked together, yo, k9, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm.

 

Round 30: Knit around to end-of-round marker, sm.

Continue to knit around to end-of-round marker until piece measures ~9.5” (24cm) from CO edge.

 

CROWN: 4-corner Decrease

Change to size US 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles when needed.

 

Round 1: *K2tog, k17, ssk, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm. (76 sts rem)

Round 2 (and all other even-numbered rounds): Knit around to end-of-round marker, sm.

Round 3: *K2tog, k15, ssk, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm. (68 sts rem)

Round 5: *K2tog, k13, ssk, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm. (60 sts rem)

Round 7: *K2tog, k11, ssk, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm. (52 sts rem)

Round 9: *K2tog, k9, ssk, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm. (44 sts rem)

Round 11: *K2tog, k7, ssk, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm. (36 sts rem)

Round 13: *K2tog, k5, ssk, sm, repeat from * around to end-of-round marker, sm. (28 sts rem)

 

Round 14: Knit around to end-of-round marker, sm..

Cut yarn leaving roughly 12” (30 cm), thread yarn through remaining sts, pull tightly, thread through rem sts, and secure on WS.

 

FINISHING:

Block and weave in ends.

 

PATTERN STITCH CHART:

For Body, work pattern stitch chart in the round (4 repetitions of 21 stitches) for 30 rounds. Continue to knit around to the end-of-round marker until piece measures ~9.5” (24cm) from CO edge.

 

I hope you had as much fun making this beanie as I did designing it for you! Don’t forget to follow Bears Den Essentials on social media and to share your finished projects by tagging @BearsDenEssentials and with the hashtag #BearsDenInTheWild! Follow our blog (bearsdenessentials.com) to stay up-to-date on a matching Bitterroot Sagebrush tank top and sweater pattern that will be coming out soon as well.

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DESIGNER AND PATTERN INFORMATION: All patterns, text, products, and photos are property of Hannah Jaicks and Bears Den Essentials. Patterns and photographs cannot be distributed, copied in part or in whole, re-written, or re-sold without permission—electronically or physically. You may sell your finished products made using Bears Den Essentials patterns as long as you provide a direct link to this pattern in your listing and tag us on social media: @bearsdenessentials. For any other use, please contact us directly (Hannah: bearsdenessentials@gmail.com). Thank you for supporting artists by using and sharing our content ethically and legally.

 

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