FREE Knitting Pattern: Knitting for the Bees - Honeycomb Hat

A while ago, a long time customer (who has become a friend) asked me if I would design something for her and her friends to knit and sell at a forthcoming village event this spring based around a celebration of the honeybee. I expect that most people are now aware of the many threats to the long term survival humble honey bee, which has massive consequences for our food supply. It is estimated that a third of all food production is pollination dependent, but pollination is not just important for the food we eat, but also for other wildlife. You can read more about the importance and the role of bees here. Because I am passionate about the cause of the honeybee, I was excited to get involved with this bee-related event.

The request for a bee related knitted design coincided with my sister giving me a chunk of honeycomb from her very own bees. I was fascinated and inspired by the beautiful pattern that the bees had created, and so I decided to base my 'bee' design on this honeycomb pattern.

I will update my blog with further news about the forthcoming bee event, but in the meantime, if you would like to knit your own honeycomb hat, then here is the free pattern below. You can buy the chunky yarn for this pattern here on my website. Use the coupon SAVEOURBEES to get 20% off the yarn (Coupon expires 10/03/15). If you felt like making a donation to a bee related charity as a thank you for the free pattern then here are a couple of suggestions:

The British Bee Keepers Association 
Bumblebee Conservation Trust

Materials
2 x 50g balls of Libby Summers Chunky in shade 007 City Lights
Pair 6.5mm [US 10.5] needles
Pair 7mm needles

Tension
12 sts and 18 rows to 10cm [4in] using 7mm needles and measured over honeycomb pattern (stretched as when worn)

To Fit
Age 2 - 3 yrs (4 - 8 yrs, 9 - 12yrs, adult)

Measurements
41.5 (48, 51.5, 58) cm [15.5 (18, 19.25, 21.75) in] circumference measured around brim

Abbreviations
st (s) = stitch(es)
RS = right side
WS = wrong side
k = knit
p = purl
patt = pattern
M1 = make one st by picking up the loop before the next st in the row below and knitting into the back of it
k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
T2F = knit into the front of the 2nd stitch on left hand needle, then purl into the front of the first stitch on left hand needle, slipping both stitches off together
T2B = purl into the back of the second stitch on the left hand needle, then knit into the front of the first stitch on left hand needle, slipping both sts off together
rep = repeat
rem = remain
st st = stocking stitch
folls = follows

Instructions
Cast on 50 (58, 62, 70) sts using 6.5mm [US10.5] needles.
Work in rib patt as folls:
Row 1 (RS): (K2, p2) rep to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2: (P2, k2) rep to last 2 sts, p2.
Rep 2 row patt until you have worked 13 (15, 17, 19) rows in rib altogether ending with a RS row.
Next row (WS): (P12 (14, 15, 17), M1) rep to last 2 sts, M1, p2. 54 (62, 66, 74) sts
Change to 7mm needles and work in honeycomb pattern as folls:
Row 1(RS): K1, (T2F, T2B) rep to last st, k1.
Row 2: K1, (p1, k2, p1) rep to last st, k1.
Row 3: (K2, p2) rep to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 4: As row 2.
Row 5: K1, (T2B, T2F) rep to last st, k1.
Row 6: As row 3.
Row 7: As row 2.
Row 8: As row 3.

Work in pattern until honeycomb pattern measures 14 (16, 18, 20) cm ending with Row 3 of pattern.
Next row: (P2tog, k2tog) rept ot last 2 sts, p2tog. 33 sts
Next row: (K1, p2) rep tp last st, k1.
Next row: (Skpo) rep to last st, k1. 16 sts
Thread yarn through rem sts, draw up tightly and secure on WS of work. 

Making Up
With RS facing, and starting at the top, sew up side seam using mattress stitch, switching the sides around so that you sew on the WS for the last half of the rib section, so that when you fold the brim over, the seam is on the inside.  Make a pompom and sew onto top of hat.

© Libby Summers Ltd. Please do not sell this pattern, knit up for sale or use for any profit making activities. Thank you. For more details about the copyright on knitting patterns please click here.