Spring 2022 Mystery Knit Along

I’m Marie from Underground Crafter and I’m excited to be joining you for another mystery knit along! In this post, I’m including a complete supply list and schedule for the knit along, with instructions for checking your gauge.  
 
At the end of our knit along, you will have experimented with different stitch patterns (including a simple cable), picking up stitches (with a video tutorial), and decreasing, and you will have a beautiful project that you can wear, gift, or donate! 
 
This is an advanced beginner project, or a simple knit for a more experienced knitter. To complete this project, you’ll need to know:

1. How to cast on. I used the Long-Tail Cast On, but you can use another method of your choice. 
2. Basic knitting stitches including knit, purl, and slip stitch. 
3. Other skills will be introduced throughout the knit along with tutorials.

Supplies Needed:

1. Approximately 88 yards (81 meters) in each of 2 colors in any super bulky acrylic yarn – I used King Cole Big Value Super Chunky Stormy yarn (1 skein each in 4106 Thunder and 4110 Sleet).  
2. US Size 15/10 mm knitting needles, or size needed to obtain gauge. 
3. US Size 13/9 mm knitting needles, or size needed to obtain gauge. 
4. Locking stitch marker. 
5. Cable needle. 
6. Yarn needle. 
7. Tools for blocking, measuring, and cutting.

Abbreviations Used For Gauge Swatch: 

1. CO – cast on  
2. k – knit  
3. p – purl  
4. sl – slip stitch knitwise  
5. st(s) – stitch(es) 
6. [] Repeat instructions within brackets as indicated

Gauge: 14 sts = 4.5” (11.5 cm) in pattern 

1. To work gauge swatch, CO 14 sts with larger needle. 
2. Row 1: Sl1, [k1, p1] across to last st, p1. 
3. Row 2: Sl1, p1, [k1, p1] across. 
4. Rep Rows 1-2 until swatch measures approximately 4” (10 cm) long. BO.  
5. For best fit, always check your gauge.  
6. Your stitches should create a firm fabric that isn’t stiff, but doesn’t have holes or gaps between stitches. Pin your swatch flat without stretching to measure.

Troubleshooting Your Swatch Gauge: 

1. If your swatch is much wider than 4.5” (11.5 cm), your stitches may be too large. You may want to go down a needle size to a US Size 13/9 mm needle. You will also need a second set of needles that is 1 size smaller (for example, US Size 11/8 mm) than the needle size you choose to be your larger needle.  
2. If your swatch is much narrower than 4.5” (11.5 cm), your stitches may be too small. You may want to go up a needle size to a US Size 17/12 mm needle. You will also need a second set of needles that is 1 size smaller (for example, US Size 15/10 mm) than the needle size you choose to be your larger needle. 
3. You can find out more about knitting gauge here and needle sizes here. 

 
Knit Along Schedule: 

1. Week 1: Supply List and Gauge Swatch (you are here) 
2. Week 2: Pattern Part 1 
3. Week 3: Pattern Part 2 
4. Week 4: Pattern Part 3 and Finishing 

Are you ready to cast on for this mystery knit along? I’m Marie from Underground Crafter. In this post, I’ll be sharing the first part of the pattern..  
 
Abbreviations Used In This Pattern: 

1. CA – Color A 
2. BO – bind off
3. CO – cast on
4. k – knit  
5. p – purl  
6. sl – slip stitch knitwise  
7. rep – repeat  
8. RS – right (front) side 
9. st(s) – stitch(es) 
10. [] Repeat instructions within brackets as indicated 

Pattern Notes: 

1. If you have difficulty “reading” your stitches, place a locking stitch marker on the front of Row 1 to mark the right/front side. 
2. For this section of the pattern, I used US Size 13/9 mm knitting needles and King Cole Big Value Super Chunky Stormy yarn in 4106 Thunder as CA. 

Part 1: 

With smaller needles and CA, CO 12 sts. 

Row 1: (RS) Sl 1, [p1, k2] across to last 2 sts, p2. 
Row 2: Sl 1, k1, [p2, k1] across to last st, p1. 
Row 3: Rep Row 1. 
Row 4: Sl 1, k across to last st, p1. 

Rep Rows 1-4 until piece measures approximately 18” (45.5 cm) long. Fasten off with long yarn tail (approximately 9”/23 cm long) for seaming. BO in pattern for Row 4. Fasten off with long yarn tail (approximately 9”/23 cm long) for seaming.

I’m Marie from Underground Crafter and in this post, I’ll be sharing the second part of the pattern. 
 
Abbreviations Used In This Pattern: 

1. CB – Color B 
2. C4F – 4-stitch left-leaning cable – Slip 2 sts to cn, hold cn at front, k2, k2 from cn. A helpful video tutorial for this type of cable is available here.  
3. cn – cable needle 
4. k – knit  
5. p – purl  
6. pm – place stitch marker (or scrap yarn) 
7. sl – slip stitch knitwise  
8. rep – repeat
9. RS – right (front) side 
10. WS – wrong (back) side 
11. st(s) – stitch(es) 
12. [] Repeat instructions within brackets as indicated 

 
Pattern Notes: 

1. For this section of the pattern, I used US Size 15/10 mm knitting needles and King Cole Big Value Super Chunky Stormy yarn in 4110 Sleet as CB. 
2. Stitch markers or scrap yarn are moved up each round to mark position of cable. 

 
Part 2: 

Turn the piece from Part 1 to the WS. With larger needles and CB, pick up 56 sts along the long edge with the WS facing you. If you’re new to picking up stitches, watch the video tutorial below. 

Row 1: (RS) Sl 1, p1, [k1, p1] 12 times/24 sts, pm, k4, pm, [p1, k1] 12 times/24 sts across to last 2 sts, p2. 
Row 2: Sl 1, p1, [k1, p1] across to marker, p4, [p1, k1] across to last 2 sts, p2. 
Row 3: Sl 1, p1, [k1, p1] across to marker, k4, [p1, k1] across to last 2 sts, p2. 
Row 4: Rep Row 2. 
Row 5: Sl 1, p1, [k1, p1] across to marker, C4F, [p1, k1] across to last 2 sts, p2. 
Row 6: Rep Row 2. 
Row 7: Rep Row 3. 
Row 8: Rep Row 2. 
Rows 9-16: Rep Rows 1-8. 
Rows 17-22: Rep Rows 1-6. Do not fasten off. 

I’m Marie from Underground Crafter and in this post, we’ll be finishing our project. Have you guessed what it is yet?

Abbreviations Used In This Pattern:

1. CA – Color A
2. CB – Color B
3. k – knit
4. k2tog – knit 2 stitches together (decrease) – A video tutorial for this decrease is available here.
5. p – purl
6. p2tog – purl 2 stitches together (decrease) – A video tutorial for this decrease is available here.
7. sl – slip stitch knitwise
8. rep – repeat
9. WS – wrong (back) side
10. st(s) – stitch(es)
11. * Repeat instructions after asterisk as indicated
12. [] Repeat instructions within brackets as indicated

Part 3:

Continue in CB with larger needles.

Row 23: (RS) Sl 1, *[p2tog, k2tog] 6 times/12 sts,** p1, k2tog twice; rep from * to ** to last 2 sts, p2. (30 sts)
Row 24: Sl 1, p1, [k1, p1] across to marker, p2, [p1, k1] across to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 25: Sl 1, *[p2tog, k2tog] 3 times/6 sts,** p1, k2; rep from * to ** to last 2 sts, p2. (18 sts)
Row 26: Rep Row 24.
Row 27: Sl 1, *p2tog, k2tog, p2tog,** remove stitch marker, k2tog, k1, remove stitch marker; rep from * to ** to last 2 sts, k1, p1. (11 sts)
Row 28: Sl 1, k1, p2tog, k2tog, p1, p2tog, k1, p1. (8 sts)

Fasten off CB with long yarn tail, approximately 24” (61 cm) long.

By now, you may have guessed that this is a teen/adult sized beanie!

To close crown, thread yarn needle with CB yarn tail from end of Row 28. With yarn needle, draw yarn tail through remaining sts, remove sts from needles, pull yarn tight and secure to close crown. A helpful video tutorial for closing the crown on a bottom up knit hat is available here.

Continuing with yarn needle threaded with CB, seam hat from crown to the end of CB section using mattress stitch. A helpful video tutorial for seaming with the mattress stitch is available here.

With yarn needle, weave in ends of CB on WS of hat.

Thread yarn needle with CA yarn tail from end of Hat Band. With yarn needle threaded with CA, seam CA section of hat using mattress stitch.

With yarn needle, weave in ends of CA on WS of hat.


My final measurements (before blocking) were 18” (45.5 cm) hat circumference and 9” (23 cm) height. This hat will stretch to fit most teens and adults as a beanie. For smaller heads, it will have a little bit of slouch at the crown. If you want to block this beanie, you can find blocking tips here.