Juniper Moon Farm Velika Hat & Mittens Knitting Pattern

Juniper Moon Farm Velika Hat & Mittens

Project Overview

The Velika hat and mittens set is a coordinated knitting project designed by Pamela Wynne as part of the Novi Collection. This downloadable pattern provides instructions for creating both a fitted hat and matching mittens using colorwork techniques and yarn from Juniper Moon Farm's Herriot line.

What Is Being Made

Hat: An adult-sized hat available in two finished sizes. The smaller size features an 18-inch brim circumference with 8.5 inches of height, while the larger size measures 21 inches around the brim. The hat is worked in the round from the brim upward.

Mittens: A pair of adult medium mittens with an 8-inch palm circumference and 8.5 inches of hand length. Like the hat, the mittens are constructed using circular knitting methods.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs multiple advanced colorwork techniques to create visual interest and depth:

• Intarsia: The pattern features intarsia diamonds worked with a contrasting color that appears three times throughout the hat design. This technique involves using separate lengths of yarn for isolated color blocks. For each diamond, two separate 1-yard lengths of contrasting yarn are cut and used—the first length works the initial four rows while carrying and trapping floats invisibly behind the work, and the second length completes the final three rows. After all seven rows of the diamond are complete, yarn ends are secured invisibly on the wrong side and woven in before continuing with the pattern.
• Stranded Colorwork: The pattern incorporates stranded knitting techniques where multiple colors are carried across rows to create patterned designs. When working with contrasting colors, the working yarn is kept below the main color working yarn to establish proper color dominance.
• Worked in the Round: Both the hat and mittens are constructed using circular knitting methods, eliminating the need for seaming and creating seamless, tubular garments.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined in charted patterns:

• Knit stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the colorwork sections
• Purl stitch: Used in ribbed sections, particularly at the brim and cuff areas where a 2x2 rib pattern (knit 2, purl 2) is worked
• Charted pattern stitches: The hat and mittens follow stitch charts that dictate color placement and pattern repeats across the rounds

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The pattern calls for Juniper Moon Farm Herriot yarn, a worsted-weight option suitable for colorwork projects. Three colors are used for both the hat and mittens: color #05 Ghost Fern as the main color, color #1016 Green Heather as the first contrasting color, and color #1017 Red Heather as the second contrasting color. One ball of each color is required for both the hat and mittens combined.

Needles: The project uses double-pointed needles in two sizes. US 4 (3.25 mm) double-pointed needle sets are used for the main colorwork sections, while US 3 (3 mm) double-pointed needle sets—one size smaller—are used for ribbed edging sections. Both needle sets should contain five needles for working in the round.

Additional Notions: A tapestry needle is required for weaving in yarn ends and securing intarsia sections. Stitch markers help identify the beginning of rounds, and waste yarn is used for provisional techniques or stitch holders as needed during construction.

Gauge and Finishing

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this colorwork project. The hat should measure 24 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches when worked in the charted pattern and after blocking. The mittens require a slightly tighter gauge of 26 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in the charted pattern, also measured after blocking. Blocking helps even out the colorwork and sets the final dimensions of the finished pieces.