Description ~ Nordic Hat Class

Jump right into knitting colorwork in the round with either the Freja Hat from the Nordic Knitting Primer or Kristin's Ebba Hat. Freja is knit with two colors, smaller yarn and needles are often saved for more experienced knitters, but this pattern is simple enough for a beginner knitter to knit. It's knit with Rauma Tumi, sport-weight yarn, which is an alpaca/Norwegian wool blend, which is small but not too tiny, and it's super soft and makes a lovely hat. I think Freja is a great project for new knitters because even though it's full-on colorwork, it's a small project, and the pattern was designed to be easy to knit. This hat is named after Freyja, the Norse God of Love. The top of the crown has five stars that together form a snowflake, and the brim is circled with hearts that represent love and courage. The body of the hat has two traditional XO patterns, The XO (Kors og Kringla) patterns in Norway are symbolic of a Christian and a pagan symbol. The X represents the St. Andrews Cross, and the O is the pagan symbol for the sun. I love that Norwegian patterns have Christian and pagan symbolism. Beyond being beautiful, it can add a deeper meaning. If you make something with hearts and crosses, the garment carries a secret message of love and encouragement to the owner.

When Kristin's kids were little, I used to tell them that I made their sweaters for them and included knit an X and O to remind them that I love them. When they were far from home, they could still know that they were loved. I hope you make this hat twice, once for yourself and a second time for someone you love.

For more of a challenge, the Ebba Hat is knit with mostly two colors but also has several rows of knitting with three colors at once. Ebba was designed for Valentine's Day, but if you switch up the colors, it tones down the Valentine's vib and is a very fun knit with a lot of heart. Ebba, like Freja, is a great hat to knit to give as a gift; it also shares the X and O pattern and hearts throughout. This is a great hat to learn how to knit with three colors at once. There are enough three-color rows to help you master this skill, but enough two-color rows to make it fun. Ebba is a blast to knit.

Materials Needed ~ Nordic Hat Class

Materials for Freja

• Sport Weight | Rauma Tumi 50 % Alpaca 50 % Norwegian Wool | 130 m (142 yards) per 50 g (1.75 oz) skein


• Main Color (MC)1 skein | Color: SFN 10 (white) Shade 401 or 75 meters (71 yards) of equivalent sport-weight yarn


• Contrasting Color (CC): 1 skein | Color: 7255 (Mustard) Or 75 meters (71 yards) of equivalent sport-weight yarn


• Needles: One 16" /40 cm circular needle and one set of double pointed needles


• Or flexiflips in size needed to obtain gauge.


• Suggested needle size: US 3 (3.25mm)

Materials for Ebba

• Rauma Finull Garn; 2-tråds 1 skein= approx. 175 m


• Main Color: Shade 401 (Natural White) 1 x 50 g ball


• Contrasting Color: Yarn A Shade 435 (red) 1 x 50g ball


• Yarn B Shade 4087 (pink) 1 x 50 g ball


• Needles - 2,75mm (US 2) double-pointed needles, 16-inch circular needle or Flexiflips. (or another size double-point needles to obtain the correct gauge). 3.25mm (US 3) double-pointed needles, 16-inch circular needle or Flexiflips (or another needle size to obtain the correct gauge). If using circular needles, you will need to switch to double-pointed needles or Flexiflips to finish the crown.

Homework ~ Nordic Hat Class

Gauge and swatch

• Gauge for adult medium hat: 26 stitches/31 rows = 4 inches or 10 cm


• Length of cap from brim to crown: 8 . inches or 21 cm.


• Sizes - One size only. Fits average head 22-24 inches. You may alter needle size to make a slightly larger or smaller hat.