Funfetti

Funfetti Two-Color Brioche Knit Hat by Lesley Robinson

What Is Being Made

The Funfetti is a beginner-level knitted hat designed by Lesley Robinson that showcases a playful two-color brioche stitch pattern. This downloadable PDF knitting pattern offers three finished sizes with unstretched circumferences of 18 (20, 22)" / 45.5 (51, 56) cm, intended to be worn with 1 to 2 inches of negative ease for a snug, comfortable fit. The hat is worked in the round and features a fun color combination that creates visual interest while teaching the brioche knitting technique.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Funfetti hat is constructed using even two-color brioche stitch, a reversible and elastic knit technique that creates a distinctive textured appearance on both sides of the fabric. Brioche knitting involves working with yarn overs and knit stitches in a specific sequence that produces a puffy, dimensional fabric. This pattern is ideal for beginners seeking to learn brioche construction, as the straightforward stitch pattern repeats throughout the crown without complex shaping or color work complications. The hat is knitted in the round, which eliminates the need for seaming and creates a seamless finished garment.

Yarn and Materials

The Funfetti pattern calls for super bulky weight yarn, which allows for quick knitting and dramatic results. The sample shown uses Lion Brand Yarns Wool Ease Thick & Quick, a practical blend of 80% acrylic and 20% wool that offers durability and easy care. The main color (MC) requires 36 (40, 44) yards / 33 (37, 40) meters per size, while the contrast color (CC) needs 37 (42, 46) yards / 34 (38, 42) meters. In the photographed version, the main color is Carousel (a light shade) and the contrast color is Bedrock (a dark shade), creating striking visual contrast. Each color uses one skein of Lion Brand Yarns Wool Ease Thick & Quick, which contains 87 yards / 80 meters per 140-gram ball.

Needles and Gauge

This pattern requires US 10 circular needles in both 16-inch / 40.5 cm and 40-inch / 101.5 cm lengths to accommodate the transition from the crown to the body of the hat as stitches are decreased. The recommended gauge is 9 stitches by 14 rounds equals 4 inches / 10 centimeters, measured in the even two-color brioche stitch and taken after blocking. Achieving proper gauge ensures the finished hat dimensions match the intended sizes and fit correctly.

Pattern Sizing and Finished Dimensions

• Size 1: 18" / 45.5 cm finished unstretched circumference
• Size 2: 20" / 51 cm finished unstretched circumference (shown on model with 22" / 96.5 cm head)
• Size 3: 22" / 56 cm finished unstretched circumference

The pattern is designed to be worn with negative ease, meaning the finished circumference is smaller than the wearer's head measurement, allowing the elastic brioche fabric to stretch comfortably around the head while maintaining shape and staying securely in place.