Kolka
Hat with Latvian Braid Knitting Pattern
£6.00
For my Kolka Hat I was inspired by traditional Swedish Bohus stranded knitting and wanted the brim to be something different than the usual rib. I found some Latvian Braid knitting patterns through various image searches and found myself learning this new (to me) and fun technique, which I quickly decided would be the main feature of the hat.
After the braid is complete the hat knits up reasonably quickly in the round on 3.5mm (UK 10-9 / US 4) needles and the pattern is easy to follow. Milla Mia Naturally Soft Merino works so well in Fair Isle, not only is it soft and nice to knit with, the stitches are well defined and it doesn’t seem to pill too quickly. Sized from toddler to large adult.
Images © The Knitter
SIZES
To Fit Head Circumference
Age 2-10 (Adult S, Adult M, Adult L)
50 (54.5, 58, 61)cm
19.75 (21.5, 22.75, 24)in
Actual Hat Circumference at Braid
44.5 (49, 51.5, 56)cm
17.75 (19.5, 20.25, 22)in
Actual Hat Circumference Colourwork Section
46.5 (51, 53.5, 58.5)cm
18.25 (20, 21, 23)in
Length Crown to Hem
23 (29, 29, 34.5)cm
9 (11.5, 11.5, 13.5)in
YARN
Milla Mia Naturally Soft Merino (DK weight: 100% extra fine merino, 50g/125m/137yds)
1 (2, 2, 2) balls of Putty Grey (121)
1 (2, 2, 2) balls of Cobalt (180)
1 (1, 1, 1) ball of Storm (102)
1 (1, 1, 1) ball of Lime (181)
NOTIONS AND NOTIONS
A set of 3.5mm (UK 10-9/US 4) double pointed needles or a circular needle, 40cm/16in long
Stitch marker
TENSION
25 sts and 32 rounds to 10cm over patt using 3.5mm (UK 10-9/US 4) needles
26 sts to 10cm over braid pattern using 3.5mm (UK 10-9/ US 4) needles