Classic Elite Yarns Durbin Hat Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Durbin Knit Hat

What Is Being Made

The Durbin is a slouchy knit hat designed by Amy Grace, originally published in Every Day Knits 1407. This intermediate-level project creates a decorative, textured hat featuring a lace-patterned brim with a button tab closure system. The finished hat measures approximately 18 inches in circumference, though the pattern allows for customization to desired head size.

Construction Method

The Durbin is constructed using a bottom-up, seamless, worked-in-the-round approach. The brim is knitted flat first as a rectangular strip, then the short ends are brought together and overlapped to form a cylinder. The button tab overlaps the starting tab by 1¼ inches to secure the closure. Once the brim is assembled, stitches are picked up along the top edge to continue the body of the hat in the round, eliminating the need for seaming.

Techniques Used

• Lace knitting: The primary decorative element features an 8-row lace pattern repeat worked over 22 stitches, incorporating yarn overs and decreases to create an openwork design
• Slipped selvedge: Stitches are slipped with yarn in front (wyif) to create clean, finished edges throughout the piece
• Picked-up stitches: The crown is initiated by picking up stitches along the top edge of the completed brim
• Seamless construction: The hat is worked in the round after the brim assembly, eliminating visible seams

Stitches Used

• Knit (K): Fundamental stitch used throughout the brim tabs and body
• Purl (P): Used on wrong-side rows and in the lace pattern
• Yarn over (YO): Creates the openwork holes characteristic of the lace pattern
• Knit two together (K2tog): Right-leaning decrease used in the lace pattern
• Slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (SKP): Left-leaning decrease used in the lace pattern
• Purl two together (P2tog): Decrease worked on wrong-side rows
• Purl two together through back loop (P2tog tbl): Left-leaning decrease on purl side
• Slipped stitch: Used for selvedge edges and structural purposes

Lace Pattern Details

The lace pattern is an 8-row repeat worked over 22 stitches. The pattern alternates between right-side rows featuring knit stitches with yarn overs and decreases, and wrong-side rows with purl stitches and corresponding decreases. This creates a balanced, symmetrical lace design that runs the length of the brim. The pattern is repeated until the brim measures 17½ inches from the cast-on edge, or approximately 1¾ inches less than the desired head circumference.

Materials

The Durbin is knitted in Classic Elite Yarns Mohawk wool. The pattern requires two needle sizes: smaller needles for the initial brim cast-on and lace pattern work, and larger needles for the body (specific needle sizes are referenced in the pattern). A yarn needle is needed for sewing the button tab in place and picking up stitches for the crown. Approximately 24 inches of yarn is threaded on the needle for the assembly seaming.

Pattern Structure

The brim construction begins with a starting tab worked flat over 22 cast-on stitches. The starting tab measures 1¼ inches and uses garter stitch (alternating knit and purl rows with slipped selvedges). The lace pattern then repeats until the total brim length reaches 17½ inches. A button tab follows, featuring additional rows of garter stitch and stockinette variations, bringing the total length to 19¼ inches before binding off. The button tab is then sewn in place, overlapping the starting tab to create the finished hat circumference.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate, suitable for knitters with experience in lace knitting, picking up stitches, and working in the round. Familiarity with lace decreases and yarn overs is essential for successful completion.