Polar Vortex Hat by Denise Balvanz

Polar Vortex Hat

Knitting
January 2015
Super Bulky (5-6 wpi) ?
14 stitches and 20 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette
US 10 - 6.0 mm
US 9 - 5.5 mm
125 yards (114 m)
Adult 20"
English
This pattern is available for $7.00 USD buy it now

When the wind is howling and the snow and cold are blowing in from the Arctic you need a hat that will keep your ears from freezing. This hat is a thick bulky weight that will do just that.

Knit in the round, the cuff is cast on in two colors with Old Norwegian Cast On then a row of Double Purl is worked. This technique is originally from Finland. A stranded band adds extra insulation for the ears. These techniques are explained in the pattern.

Sizing: When I measure the hat flat it is 20” but it stretches to 24” very easily. Where I wear it, my head measures 24” and it is not uncomfortable. Each repeat of the design is 9 stitches or about 2.75”. You can easily adjust the size by changing the needle size. The model is knit with a tighter than normal gauge to add warmth and insulation from the wind.

Here are the yardages I used in Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Bulky. Each skein is 125 yards / 113 grams.

White frost - 31.3 yards (28.6 meters), 28 grams

Blue Flannel - 76.3 yards (69.7 meters), 68 grams

Thanks to all of my testers! Testing thread is here.