Cascade Yarns Brenda Hat Knitting Pattern

Cascade Yarns Brenda Hat - Free Knitting Pattern

What Is Being Made

The Brenda Hat is a women's medium-sized knitted hat with a finished circumference of 21 inches and a height of 10 inches. This design features a classic pull-on silhouette complemented by a decorative flower embellishment made from five knitted petals. The hat is designed by Susie Bonell and is suitable for knitters with easy to intermediate skill levels.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern calls for Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Merino, a yarn composed of 100% superwash merino wool. One skein weighing 100 grams (3.5 ounces) with a yardage of 220 yards (200 meters) in color #22 (Raspberry) is required to complete the hat. The superwash treatment makes this yarn machine-washable, adding practical durability to the finished garment.

Knitting needles required include US 6 and US 8 circular needles in 16-inch length, along with US 8 double-pointed needles (DPNs) for the crown decreases. Additional notions include one stitch marker and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and assembling the flower petals.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Knit (K) - The fundamental knit stitch forms the primary fabric of the hat
• Purl (P) - Used in combination with knit stitches to create textured stitch patterns
• Ribbing - A 1½-inch ribbed cuff worked in a K2, P2 pattern provides stretch and a fitted edge at the brim
• Knit Front and Back (KFB) - An increase technique used to shape the flower petals
• Knit 2 Together (K2tog) - A right-leaning decrease used throughout the crown shaping sequence
• Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK) - A left-leaning decrease used in the flower petal construction
• Yarn Over (YO) - Listed in abbreviations for potential lace or eyelet details
• Bind Off - Used to secure the final stitches of both the hat crown and flower petals

Pattern Structure and Construction

The hat is worked in the round using circular needles, beginning with a cast-on of 100 stitches. The construction is divided into three main sections: the ribbed cuff, the body, and the crown shaping.

The ribbed cuff is worked first on US 6 needles in a K2, P2 alternating pattern for 1½ inches, creating an elastic edge that hugs the head comfortably. After the ribbing is complete, the knitter switches to US 8 circular needles to work the main body of the hat.

The Brenda Pattern Stitch forms the distinctive texture of the hat body. This four-round repeat combines knit rounds with alternating knit-purl rounds to create a subtle checkerboard or seed stitch effect. The pattern is worked until the hat measures 8½ inches from the cast-on edge.

The crown decrease section systematically reduces stitches to shape the top of the hat. This sequence includes a series of decreases worked at regular intervals across multiple rounds, reducing from 100 stitches down to 10 stitches. The final stitches are cut and drawn through the remaining loops, then secured to close the crown.

The flower petals are constructed separately as five individual pieces using US 6 needles. Each petal begins with a three-stitch cast-on and is shaped using increases at the beginning and end of rows to create width, followed by decreases to taper the petal to a point. The petals are then sewn together and attached to the finished hat as a decorative accent.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows per 4 inches (10 centimeters) when worked in stockinette stitch on US 8 needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the hat to fit properly at the specified 21-inch circumference.