Ember & Gold Bonfire Night Beanie

Skill level: Beginner (stranded colorwork band; otherwise simple rib and stockinette in the round)
Size: Adult (one size). Finished circumference about 19¼ in (49 cm) unstretched; stretches to fit head 21–23 in (53–58 cm). Height about 8½–9 in (21.5–23 cm) without pompom.

Yarn

Worsted weight wool or wool-blend (about 18–20 sts = 4 in / 10 cm).
MC (midnight blue): 90 yd / 82 m
CC1 (ember orange): 25 yd / 23 m
CC2 (gold): 20 yd / 18 m
Optional pompom: extra MC or CC1.

Needles

US 6 / 4 mm and US 8 / 5 mm circulars, 16 in (40 cm), plus US 8 / 5 mm DPNs (or magic loop) for the crown.
Or sizes needed to obtain gauge.

Notions

Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors. Optional pompom maker.

Gauge

20 sts and 26 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on larger needles, in the round, after blocking.
Ribbing is stretchier; do not use ribbing for gauge.

Abbreviations (US)

CO cast on · k knit · p purl · rnd round · st(s) stitch(es) · k2tog knit 2 together · ssk slip, slip, knit · MC main color · CC contrast color · St st stockinette stitch (knit every rnd)

Notes

Work in the round from the brim up. Join without twisting; place a marker for beginning of rnd.
Carry unused color loosely across the wrong side of the fireworks band; catch floats every 4–5 sts so they stay shorter than 1 in (2.5 cm). Keep tension even so the band does not pucker.
A separate colorwork chart may be used for the band if provided. The written description below is complete on its own.

Motif (colorwork band): On a midnight-blue field, work a repeating ring of gold sparks and orange bursts: short gold “sparkler” dashes and asterisk-like stars, with slightly larger orange firework bursts (a center stitch with short rays). Alternate orange bursts and gold sparkles around the hat so the band reads as Bonfire Night fireworks, not a single large picture.

Pattern

Brim

With smaller needles and MC, CO 96 sts. Join in the rnd.
Rib rnd: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.
Work ribbing until brim measures 2 in (5 cm) from CO edge.

Fireworks band

Change to larger needles. Knit 1 rnd in MC.
Work stranded colorwork in St st for about 2½ in (6.5 cm) (approximately 16 rnds), using MC as background and CC1 (ember orange) and CC2 (gold) for the motifs described above. Keep 96 sts.
If using a chart, work the chart once around for the stated height, then continue.
After the band, knit 1 rnd in MC. Cut CC1 and CC2, leaving tails to weave.

Body

Continue in MC and St st until hat measures 7½ in (19 cm) from CO edge (including brim and band).

Crown

Switch to DPNs when needed. Keep 8 decrease sections (96 ÷ 8 = 12 sts per section at start ✓).

Rnd 1: *K10, k2tog; repeat from * to end. 88 sts (8 decreases: 96 − 8 = 88 ✓).
Rnd 2 and all even rnds through Rnd 10: Knit.
Rnd 3: *K9, k2tog; repeat from * to end. 80 sts (88 − 8 = 80 ✓).
Rnd 5: *K8, k2tog; repeat from * to end. 72 sts.
Rnd 7: *K7, k2tog; repeat from * to end. 64 sts.
Rnd 9: *K6, k2tog; repeat from * to end. 56 sts.
Rnd 11: *K5, k2tog; repeat from * to end. 48 sts.
Rnd 12: Knit.
Rnd 13: *K4, k2tog; repeat from * to end. 40 sts.
Rnd 14: Knit.
Rnd 15: *K3, k2tog; repeat from * to end. 32 sts.
Rnd 16: *K2, k2tog; repeat from * to end. 24 sts.
Rnd 17: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * to end. 16 sts.
Rnd 18: *K2tog; repeat from * to end. 8 sts.

Cut yarn, leaving a 8 in (20 cm) tail. Thread through remaining 8 sts, pull tight, and fasten on the wrong side.

Finishing

Weave in all ends, especially colorwork tails. Block lightly over a balloon or hat form so the band lies flat and the rib remains stretchy.
Optional: attach a pompom in MC, CC1, or mixed ember/gold.

Wear notes: Pair with a dark coat for Guy Fawkes Night; the orange-and-gold band should sit just above the ears like a ring of sparks.