Astaire Hat and Mittens Knitting Pattern

Astaire Hat and Mittens Set

Project Overview

The Astaire Hat and Mittens is an intermediate-level knitting design created by Alison Green and crafted using Berroco Mirelle yarn. This coordinated set features a classic hat paired with matching mittens, offering a complete accessory solution for cold-weather wear. Both pieces showcase elegant stitch work and are available in multiple sizes to ensure a comfortable fit for different head and hand measurements.

What Is Being Made

This pattern includes two separate garments:

• Hat: Available in three sizes with finished circumferences of approximately 19", 20", or 21" and heights ranging from 7¼" to 8¾" depending on size selection
• Mittens: Available in two sizes with finished circumferences of approximately 7" or 8" and a consistent length of 7"

Both pieces are designed to work together as a coordinated set, with the pattern shown in size 2 (20" hat circumference and 8" mitten circumference).

Techniques and Construction Methods

The Astaire set employs circular knitting techniques throughout, which creates seamless, tubular garments ideal for hats and mittens. The hat construction begins with circular needles and transitions to double-pointed needles for the crown shaping as the circumference decreases. The mittens are worked entirely on double-pointed needles or preferred small-circumference needles, allowing for continuous in-the-round knitting without seams.

The pattern incorporates a cable stitch element through the special abbreviation 1/2 LC (slip 1 to cable needle and hold to front, knit 2, knit 1 from cable needle), which creates textural interest and visual depth in the finished pieces. This cable technique adds sophistication to the intermediate-level design.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is a repeating Pattern Stitch worked over a multiple of 4 stitches. The pattern incorporates:

• Slipped stitches: Slip stitches worked with yarn in back (wyib) create a neat edge and contribute to the stitch pattern's visual texture
• Knit stitches: Standard knit stitches form the foundation of the pattern
• Cable stitches: The 1/2 LC cable cross adds dimensional detail and is worked as needed throughout the pattern

Gauge is measured at 16 stitches and 28 rounds per 4 inches when working the Pattern Stitch on larger needles, with measurements taken after blocking for accuracy.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The Astaire set is designed specifically for Berroco Mirelle, a premium yarn. One 100-gram hank in colorway #11803 Swiss Coffee is required for both the hat and mittens combined, making this an efficient project in terms of yardage.

Needles: The pattern requires circular and double-pointed needles in two sizes:

• Size 7 (4.5 mm) needles for ribbing and initial stitch setup
• Size 8 (5 mm) needles for the main pattern stitch
• A 16-inch circular needle in size 8 for the hat body
• One set of double-pointed needles in each size for mittens and hat crown work

Additional Notions: The pattern requires stitch markers (including one in a contrasting color to mark the beginning of round), a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and waste yarn for holding stitches during construction. Proper gauge checking is emphasized as essential for achieving accurate finished measurements, with the recommendation to work a gauge swatch over at least 20 stitches before beginning the project.