The weather has been getting warmer and warmer and we even had a short heatwave over here in Finland. Now it's back to a bit cooler temperatures and lot of rain so we still have excellent knitting season going on. During the summer I tend to knit lots of hats, mittens and socks as they are small projects which are easy to take with you to the beach or a trip. Also summer tends to be a quite busy season especially if you live in a detached house - my garden requires a lot of time and the house is trying to hint that it would love to have a new layer of paint - so easy, fast knitting projects are satisfying to work with. 

I designed a set for easy summer knitting and to use up some of those left overs. I hope you enjoy them, they certainly are my little German Spitz Pixi's (pictured with Tia wearing the set) favourites. Thankfully Pixi loves only to carry them around, so don't have to knit a new hat or mittens every other week!

 

Free knitting patterns - Pala-hat and Palat-mittens

With 2 hanks of Eco Cashmere in two colours of your choice you can knit both the Pala-hat and Palat-mittens in sizes S and M, for size L you will need a 10-15 g more of main colour. 

Happy knitting and stay warm!

Joanna 

Pala Hat Pattern Info

Sizes
S, M, L, to fit head size 50-52, 54-56, 56-60 cm/ 20, 22, 24 inches
Yarn 
40 g of Eco Cashmere in MC and 10 g in CC  (100% Cashmere of which 50% is recycled; 150 m/ 164 yds per 50 g). Sample shown in colourways Pallas (MC) and Nero (CC).
Needles
3.75 mm/ US 5 circular needle or double-pointed needles for brim
4.5 mm / US 7 circular needle or needle size to obtain gauge
4.5 mm / US 7 double-pointed needles (or needle size to obtain gauge) for crown if not worked with the magic loop technique
Gauge 
20 sts x 30 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 inches in stockinette st on larger needles after blocking
Notions
Darning needle
Tape measure

Pala Hat Pattern Instructions

Brim

CO with CC 96 (104,112) sts with smaller needles with long tail CO or with your preferred method. Join to work in the rnd being careful not to twist the sts and PM to indicate beginning of rnd. Cut yarn and join MC. 

Rnd 1: k all sts
Rnd 2: *k1, p1; rep from * to end of rnd

Repeat Rnd 1 until brim measures 3 cm/ 1.25 inches from CO edge. 

Body

Change to larger needles.

Rnd 1: k all sts

Repeat Rnd 1until the body measures approximately 17 cm/ 6.75 inches from the CO edge. Cut MC and join CC. Repeat Rnd 1 until hat measures approximately 21 cm/ 8.25 inches. 

Crown

Rnd 1: *k2, k2tog; rep from * to the end of rnd; 72 (78, 84) sts
Rnds 2-4: k all sts
Rnd 5: *k1, k2tog; rep from * to the end of rnd; 48 (52, 56) sts
Rnds 6-7: k all sts
Rnd 8: *k2tog; rep from * to the end of rnd; 24 (26, 28) sts 
Rnd 9: k all sts
Rnd 10: *k2togl; rep from * to the end of rnd; 12 (13, 14) sts

Bind off

Break yarn and pull it through the remaining sts tightly. Weave in ends. Place the hat in lukewarm water and let it soak thoroughly. Gently squeeze out the excess water. Place on a towel and roll in to remove further moisture. Lay on flat surface and let dry completely.

Palat Mittens Pattern Info

Sizes
S (M, L), finished hand circumference approximately 16.5 (20, 23.5) cm/ 6.5 (8, 9.25) inches
Yarn
40 g of Eco Cashmere in MC and 10 g in CC  (100% Cashmere of which 50% is recycled; 150 m/ 164 yds per 50 g). Sample shown in colourways Nero (MC) and Pallas (CC).
Needles
3.75 mm/ US 5 circular needle or double-pointed needles if not worked with the magic loop technique or needle size to obtain gauge
Gauge 
22 sts x 34 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 inches in stockinette st after blocking
Notions
Darning needle
Tape measure

Palat Mittens Pattern Instructions

Cuff

CO with MC 36 (44, 52) sts with long tail CO or with your preferred CO method. Join to work in the rnd being careful not to twist the sts and PM to indicate the beginning of the rnd. 

Rnd 1: *k2, p2; rep from * to end of rnd

Repeat Rnd 1 until cuff measures approximately 7.5 cm/ 3 inches. Divide sts on two needles so that you have 18 (22, 26) sts on both needles. Knit 6 rnds. 

Gusset increases and separating thumb

The gusset increases are worked only on needle A, on needle B k all sts.

Right hand 

Rnd 1: k15 (19, 23), PM, m1r, k to end of rnd
Rnd 2: k to M, SM, m1r, k to end of rnd

Repeat Rnd 2 until you have 17 (21) 25 sts after M.

Next rnd: k1, place next 14 (18, 22) sts on scrap yarn, CO 2 sts, RM, k to end of rnd; 20 (24, 28) sts on needle A
Next rnd: k all sts
Next rnd: ssk, k2tog, k to end of rnd; 18 (22, 26) sts on both needles

Continue to k all sts until the mitten reaches the bottom of your pinky finger nail. Cut MC and join CC. K all sts until the mitten just about covers your pinky finger and start decreases. 

Left hand

Rnd 1: k3, m1l, PM, k to end of rnd
Rnd 2: k to M, m1l, SM, k to end of rnd

Repeat Rnd 2 until you have 17 (21) 25 sts before M.

Next rnd: k to M, RM, place next 14 (18, 22) sts on scrap yarn, CO 2 sts, k1; 20 (24, 28) sts on needle A
Next rnd: k all sts
Next rnd: k16 (20, 24), ssk, k2tog; 18 (22, 26) sts on both needles

Continue to k all sts until the mitten reaches the bottom of your pinky finger nail. Cut MC and join CC. K all sts until the mitten just about covers your pinky finger and start decreases. 

Decreases (both hands)

Rnd 1: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts on needle A, ssk, k1, k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts on needle B, ssk, k1

Rnd 2: k all sts

Repeat Rnds 1-2 until you have 24 sts left, 12 sts on each needle. Repeat Rnd 1 only until you have 12 sts left, 6 sts on each needle. Cut yarn and BO sts with kitchener stitch. 

Thumb (both hands)

Transfer the held sts on a needle. Starting form the middle of the CO sts, with MC pick up and knit 2 sts, k14 (18) 22 sts, pick up and knit 2 sts form the CO. 

Rnd 1: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1; 16 (20, 24) sts
Rnd 2: k all sts
Rnd 3: k2tog, k to 2 sts before end, ssk, 14 (18, 20) sts

Continue to work in the rnd in Stockinette st until thumb is just shy of the desired length.

Decreases

Rnd 1: k2tog (-, k2tog), *k1, k2tog; rep form * to end of rnd; 9 (12, 13) sts
Rnd 2: k all sts
Rnd 3: k1 (-, 1), *k2tog; rep from * to end of rnd; 5 (6, 7) sts

Cut yarn and pull yarn through the remaining sts tightly. 

Finishing

Weave in ends and block. 

ABBREAVIATIONS
CC: contrast colour
CO: cast on
k: knit
k2tog: knit two stitches together 
m1l: with the left hand needle pick up the bar between the stitches from front to back, knit into the back of the lifted bar
m1r: with left needle pick up the bar between the stitches and knit into front of the lifted bar
MC: main colour
p: purl
PM: place marker
rep: repeat
RM: remove marker
rnd(s): round(s)
st(s): stitch(es)