Berroco Tanager Hat Knitting Pattern

Berroco Tanager Knit Hat

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Tanager is a knitted hat designed by Amy Christoffers, available in four sizes to fit newborn, baby, toddler, and child head sizes ranging from 13 inches to 19 inches around. The hat shown in the pattern is displayed in the toddler size, which fits an 18-inch head circumference. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a finished hat with colorwork detail and a decorative tassel accent.

Techniques Used

The Tanager hat employs several key knitting techniques that contribute to its construction and visual interest. The hat is worked seamlessly in one piece, beginning at the front edge and progressing toward the back, which eliminates the need for seaming and creates a smooth, professional finish. The back shaping is accomplished using short rows, a technique that adds depth and contour to the hat without increasing or decreasing stitches in the traditional manner. Stranded colorwork is incorporated through a charted pattern, where two colors are carried across rows to create a design. The pattern instructions specify proper color management by holding the working yarn to the left and picking up the new color from underneath, which twists the yarn and prevents holes from forming in the finished fabric. The hat also features an I-Cord, a tubular knitted cord created on double-pointed needles that serves as a functional and decorative element. Additionally, a tassel is constructed using cardboard as a wrapping tool, adding a finished, playful detail to the crown.

Stitches Used

The Tanager pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for an intermediate skill level. Stockinette stitch (abbreviated as St st) forms the primary fabric of the hat and serves as the base for the colorwork pattern. Ribbing is worked at the front edge using a knit-purl combination (k1, p1 ribbing), which creates an elastic, stretchy cuff that helps the hat stay securely on the wearer's head. The ribbing is worked flat over three rows before transitioning to the larger needles and stockinette stitch. The charted colorwork section incorporates the stranded technique across 10 rows, integrating the contrasting color into the design.

Materials: Yarn, Needles, and Notions

The Tanager pattern calls for Berroco Comfort yarn, a yarn weight that requires 100 grams per ball. One ball each of two colors is needed: #9719 Sky (used as the main color, or MC) and #9799 Marigold (used as the contrasting color, or CC). This yarn choice provides a soft, comfortable fabric suitable for a children's hat.

Knitting needles in two sizes are required to achieve proper gauge and fabric texture. Size 6 (4.00 mm) needles are used for the ribbed cuff and for creating the I-Cord detail. Size 8 (5.00 mm) needles are used for the main body of the hat worked in stockinette stitch. Knitters should select needle sizes that produce the correct gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows per 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needles. Additional notions include two double-pointed needles in size 6 (4.00 mm) specifically for I-Cord construction and a piece of cardboard approximately 3 inches square (or adjusted to the desired size) for wrapping yarn to create the tassel.

Pattern Overview and Construction Notes

The hat begins with a cast-on of 63, 69, 75, or 81 stitches depending on the desired size. The stitches are divided evenly between two needles for the transition from flat knitting to the next phase of construction. The pattern emphasizes the importance of checking gauge before beginning to ensure accurate finished measurements and proper fit. The Berroco Comfort yarn and specified needle sizes work together to create the intended fabric density and drape. Knitters are advised to download the most recent version of the pattern PDF to ensure they have any corrections or updates that may have been made since the original publication in 2018.