Homebound

Homebound Hat by Lina Knits

What Is Being Made

Homebound is a cozy knitted hat designed by Pauliina Karru of Lina Knits. This intermediate-level project combines two complementary yarn colors in a simple colorwork pattern, creating a finished hat that is both satisfying to knit and comfortable to wear. The design emphasizes the meditative quality of knitting with accessible colorwork techniques suitable for knitters with some experience.

Knitting Techniques Used

This hat employs several fundamental knitting techniques executed in the round. The primary construction method uses circular knitting, which creates seamless fabric ideal for hats. The pattern incorporates stranded colorwork, a technique where two yarn colors are carried simultaneously to create patterned fabric from a charted design. The colorwork section is worked flat in the round using Chart A as a guide. Crown shaping is accomplished through strategic decreases, which are worked using double-pointed needles (dpns) when the circumference becomes too small for circular needles. The sample was constructed using a 40 cm circular needle for the main body, transitioning to dpns for the crown decreases.

Stitches and Stitch Details

Homebound uses fundamental knit stitches worked in stockinette stitch as the base fabric. The colorwork pattern is created through knit stitches in two colors, following Chart A, which guides stitch placement and color changes throughout the patterned section. Decreases shape the crown, though specific decrease types are referenced in the full pattern instructions. Stitch markers are used to denote the beginning of rounds and pattern repeats, helping maintain consistent shaping and pattern alignment.

Materials and Specifications

The hat is knitted using DK weight yarn, specifically sport weight yarn totaling approximately 150 meters (162 yards). The main color (MC) requires about 106 meters (116 yards), while the contrast color (CC) needs approximately 44 meters (46 yards). The sample was created using Blacker Yarns Cornish Garden Sport, a yarn composed of 100% pure new wool, in the colorways Boconnoc for the main color and Hepworth for the contrast color.

Needles required include 4 mm / US 6 circular needles (40 cm / 16" length) and a set of double-pointed needles in the same size for crown decreases. Two stitch markers are needed to track pattern repeats and round beginnings. The gauge is 23 stitches by 30 rounds per 10 cm (4 inches) when Chart A is knitted in the round after blocking.

Sizing and Fit

Homebound is available in two sizes. Size 1 has a finished circumference of 47 cm (18.75 inches), while Size 2 measures 52 cm (21 inches) around. The sample, a Size 2, was knitted with 4 cm (1.5 inches) of negative ease, meaning it fits snugly for a cozy, close-fitting hat that sits securely on the head.