Ptiloris Hat is a simple unisex beanie made with sport weight yarn in two colors. The colorwork pattern is inspired by plumage on a breast of the Paradise Riflebird (Ptiloris Paradiseus) with its subtle transition from black to gray.
But there’s no need to keep to only these colors. Any two colors can be used depending on your preference.
This hat is a perfect project for a first venture in colorwork knitting. Pattern contains both chart and written instructions for colorwork part of the hat.
For every step there are helpful video tutorials.
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 hat made with relatively thin yarn – give it a try! The link for a complete video tutorial for lining is provided.

Difficulty level
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, stranded colorwork, decreases, crochet cast on (optional)

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

Finished Measurements
S – 9.5’’ (23.5 cm) wide and 10.5’’ (26 cm) tall lying flat
M – 10’’ (24.5 cm) wide and 10.5’’ (26.5 cm) tall lying flat
L – 10.5’’ (26 cm) wide and 11’’ (28 cm) tall lying flat
XL – 11’’ (28 cm) wide and 11.5’’ (29.5 cm) tall lying flat

Gauge
Approximately 23 sts and 27 rows = 4’’ (10 cm) in round in colorwork on US 6 (4 mm) needles

Yarn
Sport weight (12 wpi)
302 yds (275 m) per 100 g
Main color – gray, contrasting color – black

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

Approximate yardage
For size S
MC – 40 g (125 yds/115 m)
CC – 20 g (55 yds/50 m)
For size M
MC – 45 g (130 yds/120 m)
CC – 20 g (55 yds/50 m)
For size L
MC – 50 g (150 yds/135 m)
CC – 25 g (60 yds/55 m)
For size XL
MC – 55 g (165 yds/150 m)
CC – 25 g (60 yds/55 m)

Notions
stitch marker
tapestry needle to weave in the ends
optional - US E4 (3.5 mm) crochet hook for casting on

Pattern Notes
Ptiloris Hat is knit in the round from the bottom up.
Crochet cast on provides stable and sufficiently stretchy beginning for 2 by 2 ribbing. (Other stretchy cast on may be used if you have a preferred one.)
The body of the hat continues with simple colorwork pattern that will be perfect for a beginner knitter. The floats on the back of the work are no bigger than 3 stitches wide and therefore are easy to manage.
The crown is shaped with six lines of double decreases.
The sample uses dark grey as main color and black as contrasting color but other color combinations may be applied depending on your own taste and style.
Pattern provides a chart as well as written instructions for colorwork. And for every step there are helpful tutorials! Links are below:

Tutorials
Crochet cast on tutorial
Complete Ptiloris Hat tutorial
Fleece lining for a hat tutorial