Classic Elite Yarns Hamlet Hat Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Hamlet Knit Hat Pattern

What is Being Made

The Hamlet is a classic colorwork beret designed for knitters seeking an intermediate-level project. This hat features a traditional round construction worked from the bottom up, creating a sophisticated accessory with a finished circumference of 17½ inches for Adult Small or 19¾ inches for Adult Medium/Large. The design showcases vibrant stranded colorwork throughout the crown, making it an ideal project for knitters looking to develop their Fair Isle technique skills.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs stranded colorwork and worked in the round as primary construction techniques. The hat begins with a ribbed cuff worked on a circular needle, then transitions to stockinette stitch before introducing the Fair Isle pattern chart. The stranded technique involves carrying multiple yarn colors across the inside of the work while creating the colorwork design on the outside. As the hat progresses and stitches decrease significantly, knitters transition from a 16-inch circular needle to double-pointed needles to accommodate the narrowing crown. The pattern includes strategic decreases worked into the Fair Isle chart over 47 rounds, requiring careful attention to both color changes and shaping.

Stitches Used

• 2 x 2 Rib: A foundational stitch pattern worked over a multiple of 4 stitches, alternating purl and knit stitches (P1, K2, P1) around every round. This creates the elastic cuff at the hat's base and is worked for 12 rounds after casting on.
• Stockinette Stitch (St st): Smooth knit fabric created by knitting every round, used as the base fabric between the ribbed cuff and the Fair Isle colorwork section.
• Fair Isle Pattern: A charted colorwork pattern worked over a multiple of 24 stitches that decreases to 2 stitches by the pattern's conclusion. The Fair Isle chart spans 47 rounds and incorporates six different yarn colors to create the intricate beret design. This technique requires managing multiple colors simultaneously while maintaining consistent tension.
• Decreases: The pattern uses knit two together (K2tog) decreases to shape the crown, with specific decrease rounds indicated on the Fair Isle chart to create the hat's structured silhouette.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Hamlet pattern calls for Fresco yarn by Classic Elite Yarns, a premium blend composed of 60% wool, 30% baby alpaca, and 10% angora. Each 50-gram hank provides approximately 164 yards of yardage. The pattern requires one hank each of six coordinating colorways: A – 5359 Ozone, B – 5389 Rosebud, C – 5339 Sea Green, D – 5328 Rum Raisin, E – 5315 Pea Pod, and F – 5303 Cinder. This yarn selection provides warmth, softness, and the smooth texture necessary for clear colorwork definition.

Needles and Additional Materials

Knitters will need a 16-inch circular knitting needle in US size 5 (3.75 mm) for the initial rounds and a set of double-pointed needles in the same size for the crown decreases. The pattern also requires a stitch marker to denote the beginning of round and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and closing the crown. The recommended gauge is 22 stitches and 30 rounds per 4 inches in stockinette stitch, and checking gauge before beginning is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.

Finishing and Care

Once all stitches are bound off and the crown is drawn closed with the tapestry needle, the hat requires finishing to set the stitches and even out the colorwork. The pattern recommends weaving in all yarn ends and then wet blocking the finished hat by laying it flat over a dinner plate to dry. This blocking process helps even out the Fair Isle stitches and gives the beret its characteristic shape.