Gardiner Yarn Works Snow Day Hat & Mitts Knitting Pattern

Gardiner Yarn Works Snow Day Hat & Mitts

What is Being Made

This downloadable PDF pattern from Gardiner Yarn Works, designed by Chrissy Gardiner, provides instructions for creating a coordinated set of a winter hat and matching mittens. The pattern is designed as a one-size-fits-most project that accommodates a wide range of head and hand sizes through adjustable length modifications. The hat features a head circumference of 20-22 inches, while the mitts are sized for a hand circumference of 6-8 inches. This is an ideal project for knitters seeking functional, seasonal accessories that can be completed in just a few evenings.

Techniques Used

The Snow Day Hat & Mitts pattern employs several key knitting techniques that make it suitable for advanced beginner-level knitters:

• Seamless, Worked in the Round: Both the hat and mitts are constructed seamlessly using circular needles or double-pointed needles, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a polished, professional finish.
• Bottom-Up Construction: The pieces are worked from the bottom edge upward, allowing knitters to try on and adjust length as needed before completing the crown shaping.
• Cable Work: The pattern incorporates cable stitches (specifically C2B, or cable 2 back) that create textural interest and contribute to the stretchy, functional design of the garment.
• Ribbed Stitch Patterns: A cable stretchy rib pattern forms the foundation of the design, providing both visual appeal and practical elasticity that allows the accessories to fit a range of sizes.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with cable techniques:

• Knit (k) and Purl (p): The base stitches that create the ribbed texture throughout both garments.
• Cable 2 Back (C2B): A cable stitch that requires slipping one stitch to a cable needle, holding it to the back, knitting the next stitch, then knitting the stitch from the cable needle. This stitch is worked every other row in the pattern repeat.
• Knit 2 Together (k2tog): A decrease stitch used during crown shaping to reduce stitches and form the tapered top of the hat.
• Make 1 (m1) and Make 1 Purl (m1p): Increase stitches created by picking up the strand between two stitches and knitting or purling through the back loop, used for shaping the mittens.

Materials and Gauge

The pattern calls for worsted-weight yarn, with the sample project using Dream in Color Classy in Pansy Go Lightly. Approximately 250 yards of yarn is required to complete both the hat and mitts. Needles used are size 7 (4.5mm), available as either a set of 5 double-pointed needles or a set of two 16-24 inch circular needles, allowing knitters to choose their preferred method for working in the round.

The gauge for this pattern is 32 stitches and 26 rounds over 4 inches when working the cable stretchy rib in an unstretched state. However, the pattern includes important guidance for checking gauge: the swatch should be stretched to verify it will accommodate the desired head size. For a 22-inch head circumference, the fabric should stretch to approximately 4 stitches per inch. If the swatch does not stretch adequately or appears unattractive when stretched to this gauge, knitters are advised to increase needle size by one or two sizes for a better fit.

Additional Materials and Tools

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires a yarn needle for weaving in ends, a cable needle for working cable stitches, stitch markers for tracking the beginning of rounds, and stitch holders specifically for the mitts to hold stitches during construction.