Dashing Around Hat Knitting Pattern

Dashing Around Hat in Cascade Yarns Superwash

What Is Being Made

The Dashing Around Hat is an adult-sized knitted hat designed by Susie Bonell and published by Cascade Yarns. This intermediate-level project creates a fitted, round hat that works well for most adult head sizes. The hat features a classic construction method worked seamlessly in the round, combining a ribbed cuff with an all-over textured pattern and a tapered crown.

Construction Method and Techniques

This hat is worked entirely in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles (DPNs), eliminating the need for seaming. The construction begins with a cast-on of 80 stitches worked on a 16-inch circular needle. The ribbed cuff is established first, then transitions into the main pattern repeat. As the hat progresses toward the crown, decreases are worked systematically using knit-two-together (K2tog) reductions to shape the top. The pattern requires switching to double-pointed needles as stitches decrease and become too few for the circular needle, a standard technique for closing the crown of a hat.

Stitch Pattern and Details

The hat begins with a K1, P1 ribbing worked for 1½ inches, creating an elastic cuff that helps the hat stay in place. The main body features an eight-row repeating pattern that alternates between knit and purl stitches in a structured arrangement. Specifically, the pattern alternates between rows of K4, P6 combinations and solid knit rows, creating a textured, dimensional fabric. This pattern repeat continues until the piece measures 7½ inches from the beginning. The crown shaping uses consecutive rounds of K2tog decreases spaced at regular intervals, reducing from 70 stitches down to 10 stitches over thirteen rows. The final stitches are closed using a yarn needle threaded through the remaining loops.

Materials and Specifications

The Dashing Around Hat is designed to be worked in Cascade Yarns 128 Superwash Multis, a 100% Merino Wool yarn. One skein of 100 grams (3.5 ounces) with 128 yards (117 meters) of yardage is required. The recommended colorway shown is #117 (Camo). Knitting needles needed include US size 10 circular needles in 16-inch length and US size 10 double-pointed needles for the crown shaping. Additional supplies include a yarn needle for finishing, stitch markers to track pattern repeats and the beginning of rounds, and a gauge measurement of 14 stitches per 4 inches in stockinette stitch. The Superwash treatment on the Merino Wool makes this hat easy to care for, as it can be machine washed, adding practicality to the finished project.