Gardiner Yarn Works Hearts & Snowflakes Hat Knitting Pattern

Gardiner Yarn Works Hearts & Snowflakes Hat and Mitten Set

What is Being Made

The Gardiner Yarn Works Hearts & Snowflakes pattern is a coordinating set of knitted hats and mittens designed by Chrissy Gardiner. This downloadable PDF includes instructions for creating cute, colorwork-decorated hat-and-mitten sets sized for babies and toddlers, ranging from 18 months to 4 years and up. The hats are topped with playful finishing details such as I-cord loops or knotted tassels, making them charming gift items for small children.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques suitable for advanced beginners and beyond. The garments are worked in the round using a seamless construction method, which eliminates the need for seaming and creates a polished, professional finish. The pattern features stranded colorwork, a technique in which two colors of yarn are carried simultaneously around the work to create the decorative hearts and snowflakes motifs. Knitters have the flexibility to work the colorwork using traditional stranded knitting or the duplicate stitch method, allowing for personalization based on skill level and preference. The hats are constructed bottom-up, beginning with a ribbed cuff at the base and progressing upward to the crown shaping.

Stitches Used

• Ribbing (K1, P1): Creates the elastic cuff at the hat's base, worked for approximately 1 to 1.5 inches depending on size
• Stockinette Stitch (St St): The primary fabric stitch used for the body of both hats and mittens, creating a smooth, classic knit appearance
• Knit 2 Together (K2tog): A left-leaning decrease stitch used during crown shaping to gradually reduce stitches toward the top of the hat
• Make 1 (M1): An increase stitch created by picking up the strand between two stitches and knitting through the back loop, used for shaping the mittens
• I-cord: An optional decorative finishing technique for the hat top, creating a small tube of knit fabric that can be looped or knotted

Materials and Gauge

The pattern calls for worsted-weight yarn, with approximately 110 yards of main color (MC) and 55 yards of contrasting color (CC) required. The sample garments shown in the pattern were created using Cascade 220 Wool in colors #9469 (pink), #9473 (grey), and #8010 (white). Two sets of size 5 (3.75mm) and size 7 (4.5mm) double-pointed needles are required, though knitters may substitute a 16-inch circular needle for the smaller needles when working the initial rounds, switching to double-pointed needles as the circumference decreases. Additional notions include a yarn needle for weaving in ends and stitch markers for tracking round beginnings. The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 26 rounds equal 4 inches in stockinette stitch, which is essential for achieving the correct finished sizes.

Sizing Information

The pattern is offered in three sizes to accommodate different ages and head shapes. Hat head circumferences measure 17 inches (18 months to 2 years), 19 inches (2 to 4 years), and 21.5 inches (4 years and up). Corresponding mitten hand circumferences are 5 inches, 6 inches, and 7 inches respectively, ensuring a proper fit across the intended age ranges.