Meet the Reach for the Sky Hat

Inspired by tree branches—swaying in the wind, criss-crossing, reaching for the sky.

Sample colors evoke a stormy sky and autumn leaves.

With instructional videos showing each stage of the project, it’s a great way to learn a new colorwork technique. Most of the testers had never done Contrast Vertical Stranding before but all of them learned it easily with the help of the accompanying videos.

Testers had fun with yarn choices, some using a solid contrast on a variegated background and some doing the opposite. One even used a different contrast color for each pattern repeat, using leftovers from a favorite striped sweater.

Versatile design for all genders and ages.

meet the designer

Mary Beth Kelso

Mary Beth spent nine years working in retail—selling yarn, teaching classes, and knitting samples—before turning her attention to designing. Just as she likes a mix of TV knitting and focus projects to work on, her designs range from relaxed mostly-stockinette projects to multiple allover stitch patterns. Her designs have appeared in Vogue Knitting, WEBS, and Tahki Stacy Charles. She also has a growing collection of instructional videos on her YouTube channel to accompany her patterns. When not designing, she gives programs at her local knitting guild and teaches crochet to seniors.

Pattern Information

Malabrigo Rios in Archangel (MC): 1 skein, or approx 105 (125, 145) yds/100 (115, 135) m of worsted weight yarn

Malabrigo Rios in Glazed Carrot (CC): 1 skein, or approx 25 (25, 25) yds/23 (23, 23) m of worsted weight yarn

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Sizes: 1 (2, 3)

a - circumference: 17.5 (19, 20.5)"/44 (47.5, 51.5) cm

b - total height: 9 (9.75, 10.25)"/22.5 (24.5, 25.5) cm

Recommended to be worn with 2.5-3.5"/6.5-9 cm negative ease in circumference. Model is wearing a size 2 with 4"/10 cm negative ease.

Resources & Errata

Yarn Butterfly tutorial

Contrast Vertical Stranding tutorial

Branching Increase (BRInc) tutorial

M1l above BrInc tutorial

There are currently no errata for the pattern

Photos of the Reach for the Sky Hat were taken by A Day in the Light Photography