The reaction of matter and antimatter is what propels a starship to faster-than-light speeds in popular science fiction. My hat was inspired by this concept, and uses the “reaction” of multidirectional knitting to showcase handpainted yarns. Since the pattern has three distinct sections, a variety of colors or miniskeins could also be used.

The Antimatter Hat is designed to be close-fitting, and comes in five sizes and two textures. It’s easy to knit and great for gifts because it’s so quick to work up! Worked in a fingering weight, the Antimatter Hat is lightweight to wear, excellent for the cool mornings and evenings of spring and fall. Faster-than-light? Faster-than-knit? Can you make just one?

This pattern is suitable for the adventurous beginner. Skills used: knitting, purling, increases, decreases, grafting, picking up stitches, working flat, working in the round. Pattern contains extended instructions and appendices and a concise single page of instructions. Refer to whichever suits your preferences or skill level.

Pattern has been tech-edited by the lovely Brianne of CabinFeverKnits and test-knit by a delightful group of test knitters here on Ravelry. Any errors remaining are my own.

Sizing: Baby (Toddler, Youth, Women, Men): 12” (14”, 16”, 18”, 20” circumference, to fit with 2-3” of negative ease)

Tools and Notions: US 2 (2.75mm) 16” circular needle, or size needed to obtain desired gauge; DPNs in same size; one stitch marker; waste yarn; tapestry needle; tape measure; balloon or mannequin head for blocking

Gauge: approximately 22 stitches & 29 rows in 4” square, measured over stockinette stitch, after blocking; notes are given for adapting the pattern to personal gauge

Yarn: 74 (85, 100, 140, 170) yds of wool/wool-blend handpainted/tonal/variegated fingering weight yarn (samples made in Knit Picks Stroll Handpainted in colorway “Budgie” (462yd/100g); Knit Picks Hawthorne Fingering in colorway “Lovejoy” (357yd/100g); and Blackberry Ridge Mer-Made Plus Fingering in colorway “Sierra Madre” (425yd/114g))