Nivosa Hat is a unisex wintery colorwork hat made with a DK weight yarn with two highly contrasting colors. Four adult sizes presented in a pattern ensure that you will be able to get a perfect fit for a desired look.
This hat has a great potential for experimenting with colors. You can use light background as shown in a sample and get classical wintery feel or you can reverse it and make it dark with striking light snowflakes. Even the largest size doesn’t take a lot of yarn in any color so you can use this hat as a stash buster!
This pattern has a complete video tutorial to help you along. In this pattern you also have an opportunity to learn how to make a faux fur pompom. It is very easy with a help of another video tutorial. There is also a tutorial for a fleece lining for a hat. If you have sensitive skin on your forehead or just don’t want to have an imprint of a ribbing after wearing a hat, or if your winter is too cold and windy for a knitted hat – give it a try! The links for the video tutorial for lining and for making a faux fur pompom are provided.

Difficulty level
Advanced beginner, intermediate, experienced

Techniques used
Knit, purl, working in the round on circular needles, working small circumferences in the round on DPNs/with magic loop or with two circulars, decreases, stranded colorwork, crochet cast on (optional)

Sizes
Adult S, M, L, XL.
S – 20’’ (51 cm) head circumference
M – 21’’ (53 cm)
L – 22’’ (56 cm)
XL – 23’’ (58 cm)

Finished Measurements
S – approximately 9.5’’ (24 cm) wide and 9.5’’ (24 cm) tall lying flat
M – approximately 10’’ (25.5 cm) wide and 9.5’’ (24 cm) tall lying flat
L – approximately 10.5’’ (27 cm) wide and 10.5’’ (26 cm) tall lying flat
XL – approximately 11’’ (28.5 cm) wide and 10.5’’ (26 cm) tall lying flat

Gauge
Approximately 22 sts and 26 rows = 4’’ (10 cm) in round in colorwork on US 6 (4 mm) needles

Needles
US 2.5 16’’ (3 mm 40 cm) circs for ribbing
US 6 16’’ (4 mm 40 cm) circs or size needed to obtain gauge
US 6 (4 mm) needles for working small circumference in the round: DPNs, 1 long circular or 2 short circulars

Yarn
DK weight (10 wpi)
275 yds (250 m) per 100 g
Main color – white
Contrasting color – black

Approximate yardage
Yardage doesn’t include optional pompom.
For size S
MC – 35 g (100 yds/90 m)
CC – 15 g (45 yds/40 m)
For size M
MC – 40 g (110 yds/100 m)
CC – 20 g (55 yds/50 m)
For size L
MC – 45 g (125 yds/115 m)
CC – 20 g (55 yds/50 m)
For size XL
MC – 50 g (140 yds/125 m)
CC – 25 g (70 yds/65 m)

Notions
stitch marker
tapestry needle to weave in ends
optional - US E4 (3.5 mm) crochet hook for casting on
faux fur pompom or pompom maker

Pattern Notes
Nivosa Hat is knit in the round from the bottom up.
Crochet cast on provides stable and sufficiently stretchy beginning for a classical one by one rib. (Other stretchy cast on may be used if you have a preferred one.)
The body of the hat continues with snowflake inspired colorwork that can be done in dark color on a light background as shown in sample or can be reversed to get very different effect. Any two colors may be used depending on knitter’s preference.
Crown is shaped with simple knit two together decreases in just a few rows which results in a slightly gathered shape which is perfect for topping with a pompom.

Techniques and tutorials
Complete Nivosa Hat tutorial
Crochet cast on and joining in the round tutorial
Beginner friendly stranded colorwork technique tutorial
Fleece lining for a hat tutorial
Faux fur pompom tutorial