I love this simple slip stitch pattern because I’m always drawn to combinations of three different colors. Bright, neutral, monochromatic, or unexpected mixes -- colors call to me three at a time.
This is my favorite way to use up odds and ends in my stash. It’s also a great first color work project and a quick knit in bulky yarn. Often I’ll buy plenty of one main color and then use scraps to make these sets for holiday gifts. The Mike Hat is particularly good for using up leftovers because you can simply stop the contrast pattern when you run out of a color and finish up in your main color. I made the purple and brown mittens for my mom, Linda, last Christmas out of a bulky, a worsted held doubled, and an aran weight from my stash.

photos by Cassie Pikul