Berroco Marguerite Hat- Portfolio Knitting Pattern

Berroco Marguerite Hat - Stranded Colorwork Knit Hat

What is Being Made

The Marguerite Hat is an intermediate-level knitted hat designed by Beatrice Perron Dahlen. This classic hat features a folded ribbed cuff and a crown decorated with stranded colorwork. The finished hat measures approximately 18 inches around by 8½ inches high in the larger size, with a smaller size option measuring 16½ inches around. The design showcases the versatility of Berroco Ultra Alpaca yarn in creating a refined, wearable accessory suitable for various seasons.

Techniques Used

The Marguerite Hat employs several fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate crafters:

• Stranded colorwork: The primary decorative technique, worked from a chart that incorporates two colors throughout the crown section. This method involves carrying yarn floats on the inside of the work while switching between the main color and contrast color.
• Worked in the round: The entire hat is constructed circularly using a seamless method, beginning with a 16-inch circular needle and transitioning to double-pointed needles (dpns) as stitches decrease at the crown.
• Twisted ribbing: The foundation of the hat uses a twisted rib pattern (knit through the back loop, purl) for 7 rounds, which creates a textured, elastic cuff that is folded to the inside and whip stitched for a finished appearance.
• Crown decreases: Shaping is integrated directly into the colorwork chart, eliminating the need for separate decrease rounds and creating a seamless visual transition from the patterned body to the crown.

Stitches Used

The hat employs a limited but essential stitch vocabulary:

• Stockinette stitch (St st): The base fabric over which the stranded colorwork is worked, providing a smooth canvas for the two-color pattern.
• Twisted rib: Created by alternating knit through the back loop (K1TBL) and purl stitches, this textured ribbing forms the cuff and provides stretch and recovery.
• Stranded colorwork stitches: Standard knit stitches worked in two colors according to the provided chart, with floats carried on the inside of the fabric.

Materials and Gauge

The Marguerite Hat pattern calls for Berroco Ultra Alpaca, a luxury fiber blend. One hank each of the main color #6201 Winter White and contrast color #6297 Lobster Mix is required for either size. The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 23 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, worked on size 8 (5.00 mm) needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential before beginning the project.

Required needles include a 16-inch circular needle in size 8 (5.00 mm) for the initial rounds and one set of four double-pointed needles (dpns) in the same size for the crown decreases. Additional notions include a stitch marker to denote the beginning of each round and a tapestry needle for finishing, particularly for whip stitching the folded ribbed cuff to the inside of the hat.

Pattern Notes and Customization

The hat is worked from the bottom up, beginning with the twisted rib cuff and progressing through the stranded colorwork chart to the crown. The pattern includes helpful guidance for adapting the finished height: knitters can work additional or fewer ribbing rounds and may omit the first 4 rounds of the colorwork chart to achieve their desired length. The transition from circular needle to double-pointed needles occurs naturally as crown decreases reduce the stitch count, ensuring stitches remain manageable throughout construction.