purlJam

# RUSTY Colourwork Beanie

A cosy worsted-weight ribbed beanie featuring the name "RUSTY" worked in stranded colourwork across the front. Designed for confident beginners ready to try a little colourwork on a simple, seamless hat.

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## Sizes
Adult average (approx. 53–56 cm / 21–22 in head circumference). The ribbed brim is stretchy and accommodates a range of sizes.

## Finished Measurements
- Circumference (relaxed): approx. 53 cm (21 in)
- Length from brim to crown: approx. 22 cm (8¾ in)

## Materials
- **Main Colour (MC):** approx. 100 g worsted weight yarn (e.g. 100 % wool or wool blend), in a neutral such as cream or grey
- **Contrast Colour (CC):** approx. 30 g worsted weight yarn in a rust/orange shade (to suit the "RUSTY" theme)
- **Needles:**
  - 4.0 mm (US 6) circular needle, 40 cm length, for ribbing
  - 4.5 mm (US 7) circular needle, 40 cm length, for body
  - 4.5 mm (US 7) double-pointed needles (DPNs) for crown shaping
- **Notions:** 1 stitch marker, tapestry needle, optional pompom maker

## Tension (Gauge)
- 18 sts × 24 rounds = 10 cm (4 in) in stocking stitch in the round on 4.5 mm needles, after blocking.
- Tension is important: please make a swatch in the round to check.

## Abbreviations (UK)
- k — knit
- p — purl
- st(s) — stitch(es)
- k2tog — knit two stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- MC — main colour
- CC — contrast colour
- st st — stocking stitch (knit every round in the round)
- pm — place marker
- sm — slip marker
- rep — repeat

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## Attached Stitch Chart

The visual grid for the "RUSTY" lettering is provided as a **separate attached chart panel**, not reproduced here.

**Where to find it:** The chart panel is placed immediately after this pattern document, labelled *"RUSTY Chart — 40 sts × 12 rounds."*

**How to read it (knitting in the round):**
- Every round is a right-side round. Read **every row of the chart from right to left**, starting at the bottom-right corner and working upwards.
- Each square = 1 stitch. Blank squares = MC (knit in MC); filled squares = CC (knit in CC).
- The chart is **40 stitches wide and 12 rounds tall**.

**Colour / yarn management:**
- Carry the unused colour loosely across the wrong side (inside of hat). Keep floats no longer than 4–5 stitches; if a stretch of MC is longer, catch the CC float on the back every 4–5 stitches.
- Keep tension on floats relaxed — stretch the work on the needle before continuing each round to avoid puckering.
- Do not cut CC between chart rounds 1–12; carry it up the inside.

**Stitch-count integration:**
- The chart uses 40 of the 96 sts in the round. The remaining 56 sts are worked plain in MC: **28 sts before** the chart and **28 sts after** the chart on every chart round. (Check: 28 + 40 + 28 = 96 ✓.)

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## Instructions

### Brim
With 4.0 mm circular needle and MC, cast on **96 sts**. Join to work in the round, taking care not to twist. Pm to mark the start of the round.

**Rib round:** *k2, p2; rep from * to end.

Repeat the rib round until work measures **5 cm (2 in)** from cast-on edge.

(Check: 96 ÷ 4 = 24 rib repeats per round ✓.)

### Body — set up for chart
Change to 4.5 mm circular needle.

Knit 4 rounds in MC in st st (knit every stitch).

Work measures approx. 6.5 cm (2½ in) from cast-on.

### Body — colourwork chart
Join CC.

**Chart set-up round:** k28 in MC, **place a second marker** (this marks the start of the chart panel), work Round 1 of the attached RUSTY chart over the next 40 sts, k28 in MC to end of round.

Continue in this manner, working Rounds 2–12 of the attached chart over the centre 40 sts, with 28 sts of plain MC stocking stitch on each side, until all 12 chart rounds are complete.

Break CC, leaving a 15 cm tail to weave in.

### Body — after chart
Continue in MC in st st until work measures **17 cm (6¾ in)** from cast-on edge, ending at the start-of-round marker.

### Crown Shaping
Switch to DPNs when the work becomes too tight for the circular needle.

Place additional markers every 12 sts to divide the round into 8 sections (96 ÷ 8 = 12 sts per section ✓).

**Round 1 (decrease):** *k10, k2tog; rep from * to end. **88 sts.**
**Round 2:** knit.
**Round 3 (decrease):** *k9, k2tog; rep from * to end. **80 sts.**
**Round 4:** knit.
**Round 5 (decrease):** *k8, k2tog; rep from * to end. **72 sts.**
**Round 6:** knit.
**Round 7 (decrease):** *k7, k2tog; rep from * to end. **64 sts.**
**Round 8 (decrease):** *k6, k2tog; rep from * to end. **56 sts.**
**Round 9 (decrease):** *k5, k2tog; rep from * to end. **48 sts.**
**Round 10 (decrease):** *k4, k2tog; rep from * to end. **40 sts.**
**Round 11 (decrease):** *k3, k2tog; rep from * to end. **32 sts.**
**Round 12 (decrease):** *k2, k2tog; rep from * to end. **24 sts.**
**Round 13 (decrease):** *k1, k2tog; rep from * to end. **16 sts.**
**Round 14 (decrease):** *k2tog; rep from * to end. **8 sts.**

(Check: each decrease round removes exactly 8 sts ✓; 96 → 8 over 11 decrease rounds.)

### Finishing
Cut yarn, leaving a 20 cm tail. Thread tail onto tapestry needle, pass through the remaining 8 sts, pull tight to close the crown, and fasten off securely on the inside.

**Weave in all ends** on the wrong side, paying particular attention to the CC tails around the chart area. Trim neatly.

**Blocking:** Soak the hat in lukewarm water with a little wool wash for 15 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring), then shape over a balloon or folded towel and leave to dry flat. Blocking will even out the stranded colourwork beautifully.

**Optional pompom:** Make a pompom in MC, CC, or a mix, approx. 8 cm across, and stitch securely to the crown.

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## Notes for Beginners
- If this is your first stranded colourwork project, practise carrying both yarns on a small swatch first.
- Turn the work inside out occasionally during chart rounds — this gently lengthens the floats and prevents puckering.
- Count your stitches at the end of each chart round to make sure you still have 96 sts.

Enjoy your RUSTY beanie!