Veliki Hat & Mittens Knitting Pattern

Veliki Hat & Mittens in Juniper Moon Farm Herriot

Project Overview

The Veliki Hat & Mittens set is an intermediate-level knitting project designed by Pamela Wynne as part of the Novi Collection. This coordinated accessory set features colorwork patterning using the intarsia technique, creating sophisticated visual interest through contrasting diamond motifs. Both the hat and mittens are worked in the round using double-pointed needles, making them ideal for knitters with some experience in circular knitting and basic colorwork methods.

Hat Construction

The hat is available in two sizes—Adult Small and Adult Large—with a finished brim circumference of 18" (Small) or 21" (Large) and a total height of 8½". The hat begins with a German Twisted cast-on worked on smaller needles, followed by ribbed edging before transitioning to the charted colorwork pattern on larger needles. The design incorporates intarsia diamond motifs that appear three times throughout the hat, adding visual depth and texture to the finished piece.

Mittens Construction

The mittens are sized for Adult Medium hands, with a finished palm circumference of 8" and a hand length of 8½". Like the hat, the mittens feature charted colorwork patterns and utilize the same color palette and yarn. The mittens are also worked in the round on double-pointed needles, maintaining design cohesion with the coordinating hat.

Colorwork Techniques

Both garments showcase intarsia diamond patterning, a technique that differs from traditional stranded colorwork. In the intarsia method used for this project, separate lengths of contrasting yarn are used for each isolated color block rather than carrying yarn across the back of the work. Each CC2 (Red Heather) diamond requires approximately 1 yard of yarn, cut into two lengths. The first four rows of each diamond are worked with the first yarn length while invisibly trapping CC1 (Green Heather) floats behind the work. The remaining three rows are completed with the second yarn length. Once all seven rows of the diamond are complete, yarn ends are secured on the wrong side with a twisting technique to close any potential holes, then woven in and trimmed before continuing with the pattern.

Stitches and Techniques

The projects employ fundamental knitting stitches including:

• Knit stitch (k) – the primary stitch used throughout
• Purl stitch (p) – used in ribbed edging sections
• German Twisted cast-on – the method used to begin the hat
• Charted colorwork patterns – worked from charts provided in the pattern
• Intarsia technique – for isolated diamond motifs
• Circular knitting in the round – using double-pointed needles and stitch markers

Yarn and Materials

Both the hat and mittens are knitted using Juniper Moon Farm Herriot yarn, a premium fiber choice. The pattern requires one ball each of three coordinating colorways:

• MC (Main Color): Color #05 Ghost Fern – a soft, neutral base
• CC1 (Contrast Color 1): Color #1016 Green Heather – the primary accent
• CC2 (Contrast Color 2): Color #1017 Red Heather – used for diamond motifs

Needles and Notions

The project requires two sizes of double-pointed needles. For the hat, US 4 (3.25 mm) needles are used for the main colorwork pattern, with US 3 (3 mm) needles (one size smaller) for the ribbed edging. The mittens use the same needle sizes with a slightly tighter gauge. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings, and waste yarn for holding stitches.

Gauge and Blocking

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this intermediate project. The hat requires a gauge of 24 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in charted pattern, after blocking. The mittens call for a slightly tighter gauge of 26 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in charted pattern, after blocking