Classic Elite Yarns Leanna Hat Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Leanna Knit Hat

What Is Being Made

The Leanna is a knit hat with a subtle slouch, designed by Meg Myers and originally published in Winter Lace 1412. This intermediate-level project creates a seamless, top-down hat that features delicate lace patterning throughout. The finished hat measures 18 inches in head circumference at the ribbed brim when unstretched and will stretch to accommodate up to 20 inches, making it a versatile fit for most wearers.

Techniques Used

This hat is worked entirely in the round using the top-down construction method, beginning at the crown and progressing downward to the brim. The seamless construction eliminates the need for seaming, creating a smooth, continuous garment. The design incorporates lace techniques throughout, which create an open, decorative fabric with strategic yarn overs and decreases that form elegant motifs. Stitch markers play an important role in tracking pattern repeats and the beginning of round, with the pattern instructions noting the use of different colored markers to distinguish between chart repeats and the round marker itself.

Stitches Used

The Leanna employs several essential knitting stitches to achieve its lace design:

• Yarn overs (yo): Create the openwork characteristic of lace patterns by increasing stitches and forming decorative holes
• Knit (k): The fundamental stitch used throughout the hat for solid fabric sections
• Knit two together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used to balance yarn overs and shape the lace pattern
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk): A left-leaning decrease that pairs with yarn overs for balanced lace motifs
• Slip, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over (sk2p): A centered double decrease that creates dramatic lace elements in the crown and body patterns

Pattern Structure

The hat is constructed in three distinct sections. The crown is worked from a small cast-on of 8 stitches using a charted lace pattern that increases to 96 stitches over 23 rounds. This section uses the Lace Crown chart, which is repeated 4 times around the hat, with increases distributed throughout to create the crown shaping. The increases are shown directly on the chart, making it easy to follow the progression.

The body features the Allover Lace pattern, a repeating 8-round motif worked on a multiple of 6 stitches. This pattern is repeated six times, creating approximately 5 inches of lace fabric from the last crown chart round. The Allover Lace pattern uses a combination of yarn overs, decreases, and knit stitches to create a consistent, elegant openwork design. A decrease round follows the body section, reducing stitches from 96 to 80 stitches in preparation for the brim.

The brim is worked in ribbing, which provides structure and helps the hat maintain its shape and stretch properties. The ribbed brim is designed to be slightly elastic, allowing the hat to fit securely while accommodating various head sizes.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

This pattern calls for Ava by Classic Elite Yarns, a luxurious blend comprising 86% wool, 9% viscose, and 5% metallized polyester. The yarn is worked at a gauge where 50 grams equals approximately 128 yards. The project requires 2 balls of yarn in colorway 6877 Pewter, providing sufficient yardage for the completed hat.

Needles required include a 16-inch circular knitting needle in US size 5 (3.75 mm) and double-pointed needles (dpn) in the same size. The circular needle is used for the main body of the hat once the stitch count is sufficient, while the dpn are used for the crown section when working with a small number of stitches. The pattern notes that you may transition to the circular needle as stitches increase during the crown shaping, making the work more manageable.