Classic Elite Yarns Zig Zag Tam Hat Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Zig Zag Tam

What Is Being Made

The Zig Zag Tam is a classic adult tam hat featuring colorwork stranded knitting on the crown. This intermediate-level design creates a distinctive zig zag pattern across the top of the hat through the strategic use of two contrasting Liberty Wool Print colorways. The tam is available in three sizes: Adult S (16" unstretched), Adult M (17½" unstretched), and Adult L (19¼" unstretched). Each finished tam is unique, as the appearance of the zig zag pattern varies depending on where in the color sequence each yarn begins, meaning two tams knit with identical colorways will look completely different from one another.

Techniques Used

This hat is constructed using several key knitting techniques that define its structure and appearance:

• Worked in the Round: The tam is knitted circularly from the bottom up, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a seamless, professional finish.
• Seamless Construction: By working in the round throughout, the hat requires no seaming, resulting in a clean, continuous fabric.
• Stranded Colorwork: The zig zag pattern on the crown is created using the stranded knitting technique, where two colors are carried across the rounds to form the design. The pattern instructions emphasize selecting two Liberty Wool Print colorways with no common colors to ensure the zig zag pattern reads clearly.
• Bottom-Up Construction: The hat begins at the brim and is worked upward toward the crown, allowing for easy fitting adjustments and intuitive construction.

Stitches Used

The Zig Zag Tam employs fundamental knitting stitches combined in strategic ways:

• 2 x 2 Rib: The brim is worked in a 2 x 2 rib stitch pattern (knit 2, purl 2) for approximately 1 to 1½ inches depending on size. This elastic ribbing helps the hat maintain its shape and fit snugly on the head. The rib is worked over a multiple of 4 stitches and repeated across all rounds.
• Stockinette Stitch: After the ribbed cuff, the body of the hat is worked in stockinette stitch (knit every round) until the piece measures 4½ to 6 inches from the beginning, depending on size.
• Decreases: The crown shaping involves strategic decreases worked according to a chart pattern, transitioning to double pointed needles as the stitch count decreases. Final decreases are worked as knit two together stitches to close the crown.

Materials and Tools

The Zig Zag Tam is knitted using Classic Elite Yarns Liberty Wool Print, a washable 100% wool yarn. Each 50-gram ball provides 122 yards of yardage. For all sizes, the pattern requires 2 balls of the main color (MC) and 1 ball of the contrasting color (CC). The example shown in size S uses MC in colorway 7890 Ultra Violet Autumn paired with CC in colorway 7893 Rainforest, while the size M example reverses these colorways.

The needles required include a 16-inch circular knitting needle in US size 6 (4 mm) and a set of 4 double pointed needles (dpns) also in US size 6 (4 mm). A tapestry needle is needed for finishing, and a stitch marker is essential for tracking the beginning of round. The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch.

Finishing and Blocking

Once the crown is closed and the yarn is fastened off, the hat may be blocked if desired. The finishing instructions recommend blocking the hat around an appropriately sized dinner plate while stretching the hat slightly to even out the fabric and set the stitches. This optional blocking step helps achieve a polished, professional appearance.