Berroco Heathcliff Hat Knitting Pattern

Berroco Heathcliff Knit Hat

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Heathcliff is an intermediate-level knit hat designed by Alison Green. This downloadable PDF pattern produces a finished hat measuring approximately 18 inches around with a 9-inch height (measured with the brim folded back and not including an optional pompom). The design features a classic construction with a folded brim and is suitable for knitters with some experience beyond beginner level.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern calls for Berroco Mercado yarn, a premium option from Berroco, Inc. You will need 2 hanks of Berroco Mercado in colorway #4148 Oceano, with each hank weighing 100 grams. The yarn weight and fiber content are specified by the Berroco Mercado line, ensuring consistent results when using the recommended yarn.

Needles and Notions Required

• 16-inch circular needles in sizes 8 (5.00 mm) and 9 (5.50 mm), or size needed to obtain proper gauge
• 1 set of 4 double-pointed needles in size 9 (5.50 mm) for crown shaping
• Cable needle for cable stitch techniques
• Tapestry needle for finishing and weaving in ends
• Optional: 4-inch pompom maker for adding a decorative pompom to the crown

Gauge and Fit

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches when worked over the charted pattern using the larger needles. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished hat measures correctly and fits as intended.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Heathcliff hat employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques that add visual interest and texture to the finished garment. The pattern utilizes cable decreases and specialized decrease methods to shape the hat crown and create a polished appearance.

• Ribbed Brim: The hat begins with a p2, k2 (purl 2, knit 2) ribbing worked flat initially, then joined to work in the round. This ribbing creates an elastic, fitted edge that helps the hat stay securely on the wearer's head. The brim is constructed so that when folded up, the right side of the cast-on edge is visible, creating a neat, finished appearance.
• Left Cable Decrease: This special abbreviation involves slipping 2 stitches to a cable needle and holding them in front, then working a slip-slip-knit decrease with the front stitches and following stitch, followed by knitting the remaining stitch from the cable needle. This technique creates a cable-like decrease that leans left.
• Right Cable Decrease: The counterpart to the left cable decrease, this technique slips 1 stitch to a cable needle and holds it in back, works a knit-2-together decrease, then knits the stitch from the cable needle. This creates a right-leaning cable decrease.
• Dec Over 4: This advanced decrease method reduces 3 stitches in a single pass by slipping 1 stitch knitwise, working a knit-2-together, passing the slipped stitch over, and then passing the second stitch on the left needle over the resulting stitch. This technique is used strategically during crown shaping.
• Charted Pattern: The hat features a stitch pattern worked from a chart, allowing for complex stitch combinations and cable placements that create the distinctive Heathcliff design.

Construction Method

The hat is worked primarily in the round using circular needles, which provides seamless construction and allows for easy stitch counting. The pattern begins with casting on 84 stitches on smaller needles, then transitions to larger needles for the charted pattern section. As the crown decreases are worked using the special cable and decrease techniques, stitches are eventually transferred to double-pointed needles to manage the decreasing stitch count during the final shaping stages.

Pattern Notes

Berroco recommends using the specified Berroco Mercado yarn to achieve the intended gauge, fit, and appearance of the finished hat. The pattern PDF is periodically updated to correct any errors, so downloading the most recent version ensures accuracy. Knitters should take time to swatch and check gauge before beginning the project to ensure the hat will fit properly and measure as specified in the finished