Skill Level
Intermediate with advanced options.

Sizes
Small fits heads 53 cm - 56 cm (21 in - 22 in) in circumference
Medium fits heads 56 cm - 59 cm (22 in - 23 in) in circumference
Large fits heads 59 cm - 61 cm (23 in - 24 in) in circumference

Yardage
200 m (220 yards) for the hat.
50 m (55 yards) for the horns.
100 m (110 yards) for the braids.

Description
37 pages (includes many photographs and diagrams to clarify the instructions and to illustrate the various options, a bonus pattern and a photo tutorial).

Several options are provided for the brim (simple or fancy, straight or folded) and horns (simple or fancy, plain or textured base). There are also instructions for adding a variety of fun embellishments, such as a helm-spike or fur trim.

The pattern is written for intermediate knitters and assumes the knitter knows how to cast on and bind off, how to knit and purl, how to knit in-the-round and how to darn in ends. Detailed instructions are provided for all the other techniques used, so even relatively new knitters should be able to complete the simple version of the hat with little trouble.

The hat is knit from the top down, but no experience with top-down hats is required: the pattern includes a step-by-step photo tutorial explaining how to start the hat.

The pattern is given in both written format (i.e., as a full set of written instructions) and as charts, so the knitter can choose which format to work from.

Free Bonus Pattern: includes a charted pattern for a pair of dramatic ram’s horns.

The last picture features my test-knitter (and long gun enthusiast), Julia Holland, who found that her Viking helm looks perfectly at home paired with her antique, muzzle-loading rifle. (So if you were thinking that a Viking helm would require a battle axe, think again!)

Bought on Etsy but want to add to your Ravelry library? Contact me with your Etsy username/email and date of purchase.