Product Description
Thank you to everyone who bought Francie, 1989, and Smoke Signals January 16 - February 28, 2010! Your purchases allowed me to donate $1098 to Doctors Without Borders as part of the Help in Haiti project.
I started designing this hat not too long after the 2007 gymnastics world championships took place in Stuttgart, Germany. The last time the championships took places in Stuttgart was1989, and many tried and true gymnastics fans consider that one of the best competitions that has ever taken place. It was during the sublime era of Soviet gymnastics (one of the few good things to come out of the USSR), and before Romanian gymnastics started going downhill. In addition to the beautiful, prodigious gymnastics, one of the things that stands out to me about that competition is the plethora of lovely chevron patterned leotards that must have been the fashion in the late 80’s. There was no choice but to choose a name for this chevron patterned hat that would pay homage to
1989 Knit Hat by Rebekkah Kerner
What Is Being Made
The 1989 is a knitted hat design created by Rebekkah Kerner that features a distinctive ribbed chevron pattern. This intermediate-level knitting project draws inspiration from the aesthetic of late 1980s gymnastics competition attire, specifically referencing the 1989 Stuttgart Gymnastics World Championships. The hat combines functional headwear with decorative patterning, making it suitable for both everyday wear and as a statement piece for knitting enthusiasts who appreciate vintage-inspired design.
Techniques and Stitches
The primary technique used in the 1989 hat is ribbed chevron patterning, which creates the visual interest and structure of the design. The chevron pattern is achieved through symmetrical stitch placement, allowing the ribs to form diagonal lines that create the characteristic V-shaped or zigzag appearance reminiscent of vintage leotard designs. This patterning technique requires understanding how to manipulate knit and purl stitches to create directional visual effects. The ribbed construction provides both aesthetic appeal and practical elasticity, ensuring the hat maintains its shape and fits securely on the wearer's head.
As an intermediate-level project, the 1989 hat assumes knitters have foundational skills in basic stitches and are ready to work with stitch pattern charts or written instructions that involve multiple stitch types working in concert to create the overall design.
Materials
This hat design is worked in worsted weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn that works up efficiently and provides good stitch definition for displaying the chevron pattern. Worsted weight yarn is ideal for this project because it allows the ribbed chevron details to remain clearly visible while creating a warm, durable finished garment. Knitters will need appropriate needles sized for worsted weight yarn, typically in the US 7–9 range, though exact needle size should be confirmed by the pattern's gauge requirements to ensure proper fit and pattern clarity.
Design Inspiration
The 1989 hat is a tribute to the aesthetic of late 1980s gymnastics fashion, inspired by the leotard designs visible at the 1989 Stuttgart Gymnastics World Championships. The chevron patterning directly references the "plethora of lovely chevron patterned leotards" that were fashionable during that era, translating a vintage sports aesthetic into a contemporary knitted accessory. This design appeals to knitters interested in vintage-inspired projects and those who appreciate the intersection of fashion history and fiber arts.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Worsted |
| Designer: | Rebekkah Kerner |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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