Delphine Hat Knitting Pattern

Delphine Hat in Rowan Summerlite 4ply

What Is Being Made

The Delphine Hat is an intermediate-level knitted hat designed by Martin Storey for Rowan. This finished piece measures 54 cm (21.5 inches) in circumference and 25 cm (10 inches) in length, making it a classic pull-on style hat suitable for various head sizes and seasons.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project worked in the round using double-pointed needles. The hat construction begins with a ribbed cuff worked in stockinette and reverse stockinette stitches, then transitions into a charted pattern repeat before finishing with a series of strategic decreases that shape the crown.

The pattern employs colorwork knitting techniques, incorporating a 20-stitch pattern repeat that is worked over 60 rounds total (the 20-round chart is repeated three times). This creates visual interest and texture throughout the body of the hat. The crown shaping uses progressive decrease rounds that systematically reduce stitch counts from 140 stitches down to 7 stitches, creating a smooth, fitted crown closure.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) – the fundamental stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl (P) – used in the ribbed cuff section for texture and elasticity
• Yarn over (YO) – creates decorative eyelet details within the charted pattern
• K2tog – a right-leaning decrease used throughout crown shaping
• Slip 1, Knit 1, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K1, psso) – a left-leaning decrease incorporated in the pattern
• K3tog – a double decrease used in multiple crown decrease rounds for rapid stitch reduction
• Stockinette stitch (st st) – smooth fabric created by knitting all rounds

Materials and Needles

This hat is knitted using Rowan Summerlite 4ply yarn in the colorway Washed Linen, requiring one 50-gram ball (418 meters). The lightweight 4ply weight makes this an ideal summer or transitional season hat.

The pattern requires two sets of double-pointed needles:

• Set of 4 double-pointed needles in 2¾mm (US 2) – used for the initial cast-on and ribbed cuff
• Set of 4 double-pointed needles in 3mm (US 2/3) – used for the main body pattern and crown decreases

Tension and Finished Specifications

Correct tension is essential for proper fit. The pattern specifies 28 stitches and 36 rounds to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using 3mm needles. When working the charted pattern, tension is 26 stitches and 41 rounds to 10 centimeters using the same needle size, accounting for the density created by colorwork.

The finished hat measures 54 centimeters (21.5 inches) in circumference and 25 centimeters (10 inches) in length. The pattern begins with 140 cast-on stitches and uses a ribbed cuff measuring 4 centimeters before transitioning to the main charted pattern.

Construction Overview

The hat is constructed seamlessly in the round from the bottom up. After casting on 140 stitches with 2¾mm needles, knitters work a 4-centimeter ribbed cuff using alternating knit and purl stitches. The needles are then changed to 3mm, and the 20-stitch charted pattern begins. This pattern repeat is worked seven times across each round and is repeated in full three times (60 rounds total). Following the completion of the charted pattern section, ten consecutive decrease rounds progressively shape the crown, reducing stitches by approximately 14 stitches per round until only 7 stitches remain. The yarn is then drawn through the final stitches and secured.