Valley Yarns Iris Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Iris Knit Hat

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Iris is an intermediate-level knit slouch beanie designed by Julie Turjoman. This cozy cold-weather hat features a relaxed, slouchy silhouette with a height of 10 inches and is available in three sizes: Small (18–20" head circumference), Medium (20–22" head circumference), and Large (22–24" head circumference). The finished ribbed band circumference measures 18 (20½, 22¾)" unstretched, providing a comfortable fit across a range of head sizes.

Techniques Used

The Iris is worked in the round from the bottom up, a fundamental technique for creating seamless, cylindrical garments. The construction begins with a stretchy Old Norwegian cast-on method, ensuring the ribbed band has excellent elasticity and recovery. The hat transitions from smaller needles to larger needles as the fabric progresses from the ribbed band to the rise, allowing for gauge changes that create distinct textural sections. Double-pointed needles are introduced at the crown when the stitch count becomes too small to manage comfortably on circular needles. The pattern notes that additional rounds can be worked before the crown shaping to create a more pronounced slouchy effect, though this requires additional yardage.

Stitches Used

• K1/P1 Rib: The ribbed band is worked entirely in alternating knit and purl stitches, creating vertical columns of texture that provide stretch and recovery. This stitch pattern is worked to a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rounds over 4 inches on US size 5 needles when unstretched.
• Cable Pattern: The rise features a cable stitch pattern worked at a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rounds over 4 inches on US size 7 needles when blocked. The pattern includes 13-stitch cable repeats, with stitch markers placed between each repeat to maintain pattern accuracy. A smaller version of the cable pattern is worked on the crown.
• Make One (M1): Increases are incorporated during the transition from the ribbed band to the rise to accommodate the gauge change and establish the cable pattern repeats.

Materials

The Iris requires two balls of Valley Yarns Taconic yarn, a luxurious blend of 70% Merino Wool and 30% Cashmere. Each ball contains 50 grams and 125 yards, providing 250 yards total yardage. The sample shown is worked in Bright Blue (color #515024). Construction requires US size 5 (3.75 mm) and US size 7 (4.5 mm) needles: a 16-inch circular needle in the smaller size for the ribbed band, and both a 16-inch circular needle and double-pointed needles in the larger size for the rise and crown. Additional materials include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and crown decreases, a cable needle for manipulating cable stitches, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.