50th Parallel

This delightful hat and handwarmer set is an ideal project for knitters eager to enhance their skills in stranded colourwork. With a pattern comprised entirely of charming peeries—small colourwork repeats that range from 1 to 7 rounds—this set promises both beauty and simplicity. To ensure that your foreground pattern truly 'pops' against the background, consistently hold the contrast colour in your left hand or allow the strand to come up from underneath the main colour.

Both the hat and handwarmers are beautifully crafted in the round, making this project not only quick to assemble but also rewarding as you see your work come to life. Knitting with worsted weight yarn allows for a variety of fabric textures and styles, and the opportunities for colour combinations are virtually limitless! Consider experimenting with self-striping or gradient yarn as your contrast colour for an effortlessly striking variation that adds visual interest to your pieces. The handwarmers feature an innovative afterthought thumb, ensuring that your stranded patterning remains uninterrupted and visually cohesive throughout.

This particular knitting pattern showcases the hat in a size M and the handwarmers in a size S. For your materials, you will need worsted weight yarn in two contrasting colours. The example shown utilizes Cascade 220, which is made of 100% Peruvian Highland wool and provides approximately 220 yards (200 meters) per 3.5 oz (100g) skein. The featured colours are Espresso (Main Colour) and River Rock (Contrast Colour), and you will need just one skein of each hue for your project.

Whether you're a beginner looking to practice colourwork or an experienced knitter seeking a quick yet rewarding project, this hat and handwarmer set is sure to inspire creativity and joy. Happy knitting!

Technical Editing by Alexandra Virgiel.