Valley Yarns Propolis Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Propolis Knit Hat

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Propolis is a seamless, bottom-up knit hat designed by Julie Turjoman. This intermediate-level project features a distinctive honeycomb colorwork pattern and is worked in the round for a polished, seamless finish. The hat is available in three sizes—Small, Medium, and Large—with finished circumferences ranging from 17⅓ to 23 inches depending on yarn choice and size selected.

Construction Techniques

This hat employs several key knitting techniques that make it both accessible and engaging for intermediate knitters:

• Bottom-up construction: The hat is worked from the brim upward, allowing you to try on the fit as you progress and easily adjust the final length to your preference.
• Seamless, worked in the round: Using circular needles and double-pointed needles, the entire hat is created in continuous rounds, eliminating the need for seaming and producing a smooth, professional appearance.
• Slip-stitch colorwork: The honeycomb pattern is created using slip-stitch colorwork techniques, which provide an easy introduction to two-color knitting without the complexity of stranded colorwork. This method creates a dense, textured fabric while working with two colors.
• Decrease shaping: The crown is shaped using strategic decreases to taper the hat and create a proper fit.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Propolis hat utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined to create its signature look:

• Stockinette stitch: The base stitch used throughout most of the hat, providing a smooth, classic knit fabric.
• Honeycomb colorwork pattern: Created using slip stitches in two contrasting colors, this textured pattern adds visual interest and depth while maintaining structural integrity.
• Knit 2 together (k2tog): Used in the crown decreases to shape the hat and close the top.

Materials and Yarn Options

The Propolis pattern offers flexibility with two distinct yarn options, each producing different finished measurements and gauges:

Valley Superwash Super Bulky Option:

• Main Color (MC): 2 skeins Valley Yarns Valley Superwash Super Bulky in Classic Navy (100% Superwash Wool; 100g/55 yards per skein)
• Contrasting Color (CC): 1 skein Valley Yarns Valley Superwash Super Bulky in Natural (100% Superwash Wool; 100g/55 yards per skein)
• Finished circumferences: 17⅓ inches (Small), 20 inches (Medium), or 22½ inches (Large)
• Gauge: 12 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches on US size 11 (8.00 mm) needles in stockinette stitch, blocked
• Needles required: US size 11 (8.00 mm) 16-inch circular needles and double-pointed needles

Becket Option:

• Main Color (MC): 1 skein Valley Yarns Becket in Bear (50% Superfine Alpaca/50% Wool; 100g/141 yards per skein)
• Contrasting Color (CC): 1 skein Valley Yarns Becket in Campfire (50% Superfine Alpaca/50% Wool; 100g/141 yards per skein)
• Finished circumferences: 17¾ inches (Small), 21¼ inches (Medium), or 23 inches (Large)
• Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches on US size 8 (5.00 mm) needles in stockinette stitch, blocked
• Needles required: US size 8 (5.00 mm) 16-inch circular needles for the main body and US size 7 (4.50 mm) 16-inch circular needles for potential ribbing or shaping

Additional Materials: Stitch markers and a tap