purlJam

<pattern>

# VALKYRIE HELMET HAT

A striking Nordic-inspired helmet hat featuring a harlequin diamond band, decorative horns, and flowing braids. The reverse stockinette body mimics hammered metal armor, while the colorwork band adds traditional flair. Perfect for Viking festivals, Renaissance faires, or anyone who wants to channel their inner shield-maiden!

**Difficulty Level**: Intermediate

## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
- **Circumference**: 21" (53.5 cm), designed to fit average adult head 21-23"
- **Height**: 8.5" (21.5 cm)

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: 
- **MC (Main Color - Helmet)**: Worsted weight yarn, approximately 150 yards
  - Suggested colors: Steel Grey, Storm Blue, or Slate Grey
- **CC1 (White)**: Worsted weight yarn, approximately 50 yards
- **CC2 (Yellow)**: Worsted weight yarn, approximately 30 yards  
- **CC3 (Red)**: Worsted weight yarn, approximately 10 yards
- **CC4 (Brown)**: Worsted weight yarn, approximately 80 yards (for braids)

*Sample knit in Cascade 220 (100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 220 yards/100g): 1 skein MC, partial skeins of contrast colors*

**Needles**: 
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 16" circular needle for main hat
- US 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles for I-cord and crown
- US 6 (4 mm) 16" circular needle for cast on (optional, for tighter edge)

**Notions**:
- Stitch markers (1 for BOR, 4 additional for horn placement)
- Tapestry needle
- Fiberfill or wool roving for stuffing horns (approximately 1 oz)
- Scrap yarn for holders

**Gauge**: 
18 sts × 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on larger needles, blocked
**Gauge is critical for proper fit.**

## PATTERN NOTES

- Hat is worked in the round from bottom to top.
- The harlequin band is worked in stranded colorwork; carry floats loosely across back of work.
- Bobbles are added after colorwork is complete.
- I-cord trim is applied after band is complete.
- Horns are knit separately and sewn on.
- Braids are made from I-cords and attached at ear positions.
- A circular cast on using US 6 needles creates a tidy edge; switch to US 7 after cast on row.

## STITCH GLOSSARY

**k**: knit
**p**: purl
**k2tog**: knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
**ssk**: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
**pm**: place marker
**sm**: slip marker
**BOR**: beginning of round
**MC**: main color
**CC**: contrast color
**RS**: right side
**WS**: wrong side

**Make Bobble (MB)**: With CC3 (red), (k1, p1, k1, p1, k1) all in same stitch (5 sts from 1), turn; p5, turn; k5, turn; p5, turn; ssk, k1, k2tog, turn; p3tog. Break yarn and pull through last stitch. This creates a plump bobble that sits on the surface.

**Applied I-cord**: Using dpn, cast on 3 sts. *Without turning work, slide sts to right end of needle, k2, ssk (working last I-cord st together with 1 st from hat edge); repeat from * until all edge sts are consumed.

**3-Stitch I-cord**: Using dpn, cast on 3 sts. *Without turning work, slide sts to right end of needle, k3; repeat from * to desired length.

## INSTRUCTIONS

### I-CORD CAST ON EDGE (OPTIONAL)
For a decorative bottom edge:
With dpn and MC, cast on 3 sts. Work 3-st I-cord for 3", then use knitted cast on to add 93 sts directly from I-cord (picking up along the I-cord body), then continue I-cord for 3" more and join ends. Alternatively, use standard long-tail cast on below.

### HAT BODY

**Cast On**
With US 6 needle (or US 7) and MC, cast on 96 sts using long-tail method. Join for working in the round, being careful not to twist. Pm for BOR.

*Stitch count: 96 sts*

**Setup Round**: Switch to US 7 needle if using smaller needle. Knit 1 round.

**Ribbed Edge** (optional for better fit):
Rounds 1-4: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.

### HARLEQUIN BAND

**Note**: Harlequin band is worked in stranded colorwork following chart. Each repeat is 8 sts wide; work 12 times around (8 × 12 = 96 sts ✓).

Change to CC1 (white) as background color.

**Round 1**: With CC1, knit all sts.

**Rounds 2-13**: Work Harlequin Chart (see below), repeating 8-st pattern 12 times around.

**Round 14**: With CC1, knit all sts.

*Stitch count: 96 sts maintained*

### HARLEQUIN CHART
```
Round 13: W W W W W W W W
Round 12: W W W Y Y W W W
Round 11: W W Y Y Y Y W W
Round 10: W Y Y Y Y Y Y W
Round 9:  W Y Y Y Y Y Y W
Round 8:  Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Round 7:  W Y Y Y Y Y Y W
Round 6:  W Y Y Y Y Y Y W
Round 5:  W W Y Y Y Y W W
Round 4:  W W W Y Y W W W
Round 3:  W W W W W W W W
Round 2:  W W W W W W W W

        8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
```

**Key**: 
- W = CC1 (White) - knit
- Y = CC2 (Yellow) - knit

**Pattern repeat**: 8 stitches
**Work repeat**: 12 times around (96 sts total ✓)

**ADD BOBBLES**:
After completing colorwork band, add red bobbles at center of each diamond:
- Count 4 sts from right edge of each diamond pattern (center of diamond)
- With tapestry needle and CC3 threaded, work Make Bobble through fabric at Round 8 of each diamond (12 bobbles total, one per repeat)
- Alternatively, you may carefully unpick the white stitch at center of each diamond and work bobble directly into live stitch, then re-secure.

### I-CORD TRIM

**Bottom Trim**:
With dpn and MC, pick up 96 sts along bottom edge of harlequin band (at transition from ribbing to colorwork). Work Applied I-cord around entire circumference (96 sts consumed ✓).

**Top Trim**:
With dpn and MC, work Applied I-cord around top edge of harlequin band at Round 14 (96 sts consumed ✓).

### MAIN HELMET SECTION

Resume working with MC on circular needle above harlequin band.

**Rounds 1-24**: Purl all sts (reverse stockinette creates textured "metal" appearance).

*Stitch count: 96 sts maintained*

**Place markers for horns**: On Round 20, place additional markers at sides for horn placement:
- K24, pm (first side marker), k48, pm (second side marker), k24 to BOR.
- These markers indicate where horns will be attached.

### CROWN SHAPING

Switch to dpns when sts become too few for circular needle.

**Round 1**: *K10, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (8 repeats; 96 - 8 = 88 sts) ✓
**Round 2**: Purl all sts.
**Round 3**: *K9, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (88 - 8 = 80 sts) ✓
**Round 4**: Purl all sts.
**Round 5**: *K8, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (80 - 8 = 72 sts) ✓
**Round 6**: Purl all sts.
**Round 7**: *K7, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (72 - 8 = 64 sts) ✓
**Round 8**: Purl all sts.
**Round 9**: *K6, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (64 - 8 = 56 sts) ✓
**Round 10**: Purl all sts.
**Round 11**: *K5, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (56 - 8 = 48 sts) ✓
**Round 12**: Purl all sts.
**Round 13**: *K4, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (48 - 8 = 40 sts) ✓
**Round 14**: *K3, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (40 - 8 = 32 sts) ✓
**Round 15**: *K2, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (32 - 8 = 24 sts) ✓
**Round 16**: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (24 - 8 = 16 sts) ✓
**Round 17**: *K2tog; repeat from * to end. (16 - 8 = 8 sts) ✓

Break yarn, leaving 8" tail. Thread through remaining 8 sts, pull tight, and secure on WS.

## HORNS (MAKE 2)

With dpns and MC, cast on 20 sts. Divide evenly on 3-4 dpns and join for working in the round.

**Rounds 1-10**: Knit all sts.
**Round 11**: *K3, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (20 - 4 = 16 sts) ✓
**Rounds 12-15**: Knit all sts.
**Round 16**: *K2, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (16 - 4 = 12 sts) ✓
**Rounds 17-20**: Knit all sts.

**Begin stuffing horn firmly with fiberfill.**

**Round 21**: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (12 - 4 = 8 sts) ✓
**Rounds 22-24**: Knit all sts.
**Round 25**: *K2tog; repeat from * to end. (8 - 4 = 4 sts) ✓
**Round 26**: Knit all sts.
**Round 27**: *K2tog; repeat from * to end. (4 - 2 = 2 sts) ✓

**Add more stuffing, shaping horn into curve.**

Work I-cord on remaining 2 sts for 0.5", then k2tog and break yarn. Pull through last st.

**Finishing horns**: Use tail to cinch closed any gaps. Shape into gentle upward curve while blocking.

## BRAIDS (MAKE 2)

Each braid consists of 3 I-cords braided together.

**For each braid, make 3 I-cords**:
With dpns and CC4 (brown), cast on 3 sts.
Work 3-st I-cord for 12" (or desired length).
Break yarn and thread through sts; pull tight.

**Assemble braid**:
Tie the 3 I-cords together at one end with overhand knot. Braid tightly for full length. Tie off at bottom with matching yarn, leaving 1" of unbraided ends to fray for natural hair appearance. Gently separate plies at ends to create texture.

## FINISHING

### Blocking
Soak hat in cool water with wool wash for 15 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring). Place on head-shaped form or balloon inflated to 21" circumference. Shape harlequin band to lie flat. Allow to dry completely.

### Attach Horns
Position horns at side markers (approximately 3" above harlequin band). Using mattress stitch and MC, sew cast-on edge of each horn securely to hat, stitching through both layers of hat fabric for stability. Curve horns