Basiita Beanie: Worsted Version

FEATURES: Stranded colorwork • knit in the round • corrugated rib • modular sizing • create your own motif •

My patterns are offered on a "pay what you can" model, with a suggested price. In lieu of payment, I suggest that a beanie be paid forward via mutual aid, outreach programs, or other similar assistance efforts in your most-local community. Thank you for downloading this pattern! May your hands be blessed knitting it up and may the intended recipient wear it in good health and with blessings.

Suggested yarn: Worsted/Aran

Needle sizes: US: 5 + 9 • mm: 4.5 + 5.5

Gauge: 5 stitches/5 rows per 2.5cm [1 inch]

This design is the follow-up to beanie patterns I have made available these past years. In these patterns, an emblem or medallion in square-kufic Arabic is tilted at an angle against a stranded–color work striped background.

Working a bit backwards, I’ve moved to a motif-less design and also up to worsted weight yarn, going from my patterned hats to one which is at the base level generic stripes. I’m enamored of this method of stranded colorwork with two strands of yarn that act as a backdrop as it were for an eventual pattern, but which also hold up nicely on their own. I see resonances with what is referred to as Armenian knitting, as well as twined (or two-end) knitting.

I wanted to work with a natural fiber, cheap(er), and quick to knit up. I started with Léttlopi which has its own unique characteristics, depending on gauge. Here I’ve gone up to 4.5 (US 7) and 5.5 mm (US 9) needles which produce a really lovely and drape-y fabric; yet very sturdy, light, and quite warm besides.