Berroco Fenugreek Hat Knitting Pattern

Berroco Fenugreek Knitting Pattern Collection

The Berroco Fenugreek pattern, designed by Donna Yacino and published in Book #407, offers an intermediate-level knitting project featuring a coordinated hat and mittens set. This downloadable PDF pattern provides detailed instructions for creating two complementary garments using the same yarn and color palette, making it an ideal project for knitters seeking to expand their skill set with colorwork and circular knitting techniques.

Hat Design

The hat is designed to fit approximately 20 inches around with a finished height of 8 inches, creating a classic, proportionate silhouette. The pattern begins with a German Twisted cast-on technique worked on smaller circular needles, which produces a particularly neat and elastic edge suitable for hat openings. This cast-on method is referenced in the pattern with a link to instructional video resources for knitters unfamiliar with the technique.

Construction and Techniques: The hat features a corrugated ribbing section that establishes the foundation. This ribbing is worked by alternating knit and purl stitches in two colors—Cherry Blossom and Salt & Pepper—creating a textured, elastic cuff that sits comfortably around the head. After the ribbing measures 1¾ inches, knitters transition to the larger circular needle and work a strategic increase round using right-leaning increases, bringing the stitch count from 112 to 128 stitches. The main body of the hat is then worked following a charted pattern for 35 rounds, showcasing colorwork design elements. The pattern concludes with single-color knitting in the final color after the charted section is complete.

Stitches and Techniques: The hat employs fundamental knitting stitches including knit, purl, and right-leaning increases (RLI). The corrugated ribbing creates vertical lines of texture, while the charted pattern section introduces colorwork complexity appropriate for intermediate knitters. Circular knitting in the round is used throughout, requiring the use of circular needles and stitch markers to track the beginning of each round.

Mittens Design

The mittens are sized to fit approximately 7½ inches around the hand with a finished length of 10 inches. Like the hat, the mittens follow an intermediate skill level and utilize the same yarn and color combinations, allowing for a coordinated, unified appearance when worn together.

Construction and Techniques: The mittens are worked on double-pointed needles using circular knitting methods. The pattern incorporates an afterthought thumb technique, which involves knitting the main mitten body first and then returning to pick up stitches for the thumb opening later. This method simplifies the construction process and eliminates the need to manage a separate thumb gusset during the initial knitting stages. The use of waste yarn marks the thumb placement, making it easy to identify where to work the thumb opening after the main mitten is complete.

Stitches and Techniques: The mittens employ the same fundamental stitches as the hat, with charted pattern work creating visual interest. Double-pointed needles allow for seamless, tubular construction, and stitch markers help maintain pattern alignment across the four needles used in this method.

Yarn and Materials

Both the hat and mittens are designed to be knitted using Berroco Sesame yarn, a premium fiber offering from Berroco, Inc. The pattern calls for one 100-gram ball each of two colorways: 7413 Cherry Blossom (C1) and 7406 Salt & Pepper (C2). This yarn weight and yardage allocation is sufficient to complete both the hat and mittens as a coordinated set.

Needles and Notions: The hat requires 16-inch circular needles in sizes 4 (3.50 mm) and 6 (4.00 mm), allowing knitters to work with the appropriate needle size for the ribbed cuff and the larger main body sections. The mittens require two sets of double-pointed needles in sizes 4 (3.50 mm) and 6 (4.00 mm), providing flexibility for different sections of the mitten. Additional notions include stitch markers to track round beginnings and pattern repeats, a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, and waste yarn for managing the afterthought thumb opening.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern specifies a gauge of 26 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches when worked in the charted pattern on the larger needles. Achieving accurate gauge is essential for proper fit, particularly in fitted garments like mittens. The pattern instructions emphasize the importance of checking gauge before beginning the project to ensure that the finished measurements align with the designer's specifications.

Skill Level Considerations