Berroco Alpine Twist Hat and Mittens Set Knitting Pattern

Berroco Alpine Twist Hat and Mittens Set

What is Being Made

The Berroco Alpine Twist Hat and Mittens Set is a coordinated knitting project that includes two complementary accessories: a cable-patterned hat and matching mittens. Designed by Jesie Ostermiller and featured in Berroco's Portfolio Vol. 4, this set provides a complete winter accessory solution with cohesive styling. The project is classified as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle more complex stitch patterns.

Construction Method

The Alpine Twist Hat is constructed in the round from the brim upward, a popular technique that eliminates the need for seaming and creates a seamless, professional finish. This method requires working on circular needles initially, with a transition to double-pointed needles (dpns) during the crown decreases when stitch counts become too small to work comfortably on circular needles. The mittens follow similar in-the-round construction principles for a cohesive design approach.

Stitches and Techniques Used

This set features advanced cable stitches that create the distinctive twisted texture. The stitch glossary includes several cable variations:

• C4B (Cable 4 Back): Slip 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold in back, knit the next 2 stitches from the left-hand needle, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle
• C3B (Cable 3 Back): Slip 1 stitch onto a cable needle and hold in back, knit the next 2 stitches from the left-hand needle, then knit the stitch from the cable needle
• C3F (Cable 3 Front): Slip 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold in front, knit the next stitch from the left-hand needle, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle
• T3B (Twist 3 Back): Slip 1 stitch onto a cable needle and hold in back, knit the next 2 stitches from the left-hand needle, then purl the stitch from the cable needle
• T3F (Twist 3 Front): Slip 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold in front, purl the next stitch from the left-hand needle, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle

The pattern also incorporates stockinette stitch (St st) sections and utilizes a Cable Pattern Chart (Cable Chart A) that repeats across the project. The cable pattern requires careful attention to stitch placement, particularly on specific rounds where the last or first stitch of the round becomes part of the next round's pattern repeat.

Gauge and Sizing

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this project. The pattern specifies two gauge measurements on larger needles:

• Cable Pattern: 23 stitches and 25 rounds = 4 inches
• Stockinette Stitch: 18 stitches and 24 rounds = 4 inches

The pattern notes that checking gauge before beginning is recommended to save time and ensure proper fit of the finished accessories.

Materials

The Alpine Twist Hat and Mittens Set is designed to be worked in Berroco Ultra Wool yarn. The pattern recommends using the specific yarn called for in the instructions for best results. Knitters will need circular needles and double-pointed needles (dpns) in the appropriate size for their chosen yarn weight, as well as cable needles for executing the cable stitches that define this design.

Pattern Notes and Special Considerations

The pattern includes important technical notes for successful completion. On certain rounds of the Cable Chart (Rnds 2, 4, and 6), special stitch manipulation is required where the last stitch of the round becomes part of the next round. This is achieved by working to one stitch before the end of the round, slipping one stitch, removing the marker, slipping the last stitch back to the left-hand needle, and replacing the marker. Similarly, on Rnds 16, 18, and 20, the first stitch of the round becomes the last stitch, requiring the knitter to remove the marker, purl one stitch, and replace the marker at the end of the round. These techniques ensure proper cable alignment throughout the project.

This pattern is part of Berroco's official portfolio collection and was copyrighted in 2017.