purlJam

# ADINKRA STRENGTH TOQUE
*A colorwork hat featuring the traditional Adinkra symbol for strength*

**DIFFICULTY LEVEL:** Intermediate  
**FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:** 18 (20, 22) inches circumference, 8.5 inches tall  
**SIZES:** Small (Medium, Large)

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## MATERIALS

**YARN:** DK weight yarn (light worveight #3)
- Main Color (MC): 200 (225, 250) yards in charcoal gray
- Contrast Color (CC): 100 (125, 150) yards in cream or gold

**NEEDLES:** 
- US 6 (4mm) 16-inch circular needle
- US 6 (4mm) double-pointed needles (set of 5)
- US 4 (3.5mm) 16-inch circular needle for ribbing

**NOTIONS:** 
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors

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## GAUGE

22 stitches and 24 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US 6 needles

*Always work a gauge swatch and adjust needle size if necessary*

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## PATTERN NOTES

- This hat features the Adinkra symbol "Dwennimmen" (ram's horns), representing strength and humility
- Hat is worked in the round from bottom up
- Use stranded colorwork technique, carrying yarn not in use across the back
- Read all colorwork charts from right to left on every round

---

## ABBREVIATIONS

- CO: cast on
- k: knit
- p: purl
- k2tog: knit 2 together
- ssk: slip, slip, knit
- pm: place marker
- sm: slip marker
- MC: main color
- CC: contrast color
- rnd(s): round(s)

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### RIBBING
With smaller needle and MC, CO 100 (110, 120) sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. PM for beginning of round.

Work k2, p2 ribbing for 1.5 inches.

### HAT BODY
Switch to larger circular needle.

**Setup Round:** Knit all stitches with MC, increasing evenly to 120 (132, 144) sts. [120 (132, 144) sts]

**Rounds 1-8:** Work in stockinette stitch with MC.

### COLORWORK SECTION

**Rounds 9-32:** Work Adinkra Strength Chart (24 rounds), repeating chart 5 (6, 6) times around. Each chart repeat is 24 (22, 24) stitches wide.

**Rounds 33-40:** Work in stockinette stitch with MC.

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## ADINKRA STRENGTH CHART
*Read from right to left, bottom to top*

```
Round 24: ■■□□□□■■■■■■□□□□■■■■■■□□
Round 23: ■■□□□□■■■■■■□□□□■■■■■■□□
Round 22: ■■□□□□■■■■■■□□□□■■■■■■□□
Round 21: ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■
Round 20: □□■■■■□□□□□□■■■■□□□□□□■■
Round 19: □□■■■■□□□□□□■■■■□□□□□□■■
Round 18: □□■■■■□□□□□□■■■■□□□□□□■■
Round 17: □□■■■■□□□□□□■■■■□□□□□□■■
Round 16: ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■
Round 15: ■■□□□□■■■■■■□□□□■■■■■■□□
Round 14: ■■□□□□■■■■■■□□□□■■■■■■□□
Round 13: ■■□□□□■■■■■■□□□□■■■■■■□□
Round 12: ■■□□□□■■■■■■□□□□■■■■■■□□
Round 11: ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■
Round 10: □□■■■■□□□□□□■■■■□□□□□□■■
Round 9:  □□■■■■□□□□□□■■■■□□□□□□■■
Round 8:  □□■■■■□□□□□□■■■■□□□□□□■■
Round 7:  □□■■■■□□□□□□■■■■□□□□□□■■
Round 6:  ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■
Round 5:  ■■□□□□■■■■■■□□□□■■■■■■□□
Round 4:  ■■□□□□■■■■■■□□□□■■■■■■□□
Round 3:  ■■□□□□■■■■■■□□□□■■■■■■□□
Round 2:  ■■□□□□■■■■■■□□□□■■■■■■□□
Round 1:  ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■
```

**KEY:**
- ■ = MC (Main Color)
- □ = CC (Contrast Color)

---

## CROWN DECREASES

Switch to double-pointed needles when stitches no longer fit comfortably on circular needle.

**Round 41:** *k10 (11, 12), k2tog; repeat from * around. [110 (120, 132) sts]

**Round 42:** Knit with MC.

**Round 43:** *k9 (10, 11), k2tog; repeat from * around. [100 (110, 120) sts]

**Round 44:** Knit with MC.

**Round 45:** *k8 (9, 10), k2tog; repeat from * around. [90 (100, 110) sts]

**Round 46:** Knit with MC.

**Round 47:** *k7 (8, 9), k2tog; repeat from * around. [80 (90, 100) sts]

**Round 48:** *k6 (7, 8), k2tog; repeat from * around. [70 (80, 90) sts]

**Round 49:** *k5 (6, 7), k2tog; repeat from * around. [60 (70, 80) sts]

**Round 50:** *k4 (5, 6), k2tog; repeat from * around. [50 (60, 70) sts]

**Round 51:** *k3 (4, 5), k2tog; repeat from * around. [40 (50, 60) sts]

**Round 52:** *k2 (3, 4), k2tog; repeat from * around. [30 (40, 50) sts]

**Round 53:** *k1 (2, 3), k2tog; repeat from * around. [20 (30, 40) sts]

**Round 54:** *k2tog; repeat from * around. [10 (15, 20) sts]

**Round 55:** *k2tog; repeat from * around. [5 (8, 10) sts]

Cut yarn, leaving 6-inch tail. Thread tail through remaining stitches and pull tight to close top.

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## FINISHING

### POMPOM (OPTIONAL)
Make a 3-inch pompom using both MC and CC yarns. Attach securely to top of hat.

### WEAVING IN ENDS
Weave in all ends securely on the wrong side of work. For colorwork ends, weave through stitches of the same color for 2-3 inches.

### BLOCKING
Lightly steam block or wet block to measurements. Lay flat to dry.

---

## PATTERN VARIATIONS

**Color Suggestions:**
- Traditional: Deep brown with gold
- Modern: Navy with silver
- Bold: Black with white
- Earthy: Forest green with cream

**Size Modifications:**
For larger sizes, add 12 stitches and repeat chart pattern an additional time around the circumference.

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## CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Hand wash in cool water with wool wash. Lay flat to dry. Store with pompom fluffed to maintain shape.

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## ABOUT ADINKRA SYMBOLS

The Adinkra symbol featured in this pattern represents strength through the ram's horns motif, symbolizing the idea that even the strong must be humble. These symbols originate from the Akan people of Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire and carry deep cultural and spiritual meanings.

*Pattern designed for intermediate knitters familiar with colorwork techniques and decreasing.*