Hat Knitting Pattern

Hat in Plymouth Yarn Arequipa Fur & Worsted

What is Being Made

This is a classic knitted hat with an approximate finished circumference of 21 ½ inches. The design features a ribbed brim that transitions into stockinette stitch body, culminating in a shaped crown created through strategic decreases. The hat is worked in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles, making it an ideal beginner-friendly project that produces a finished, wearable accessory.

Techniques Used

The hat employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners. Casting on uses the long-tail method to create 64 stitches. Joining in the round allows seamless circular knitting without seams. The ribbed brim is created using alternating knit and purl stitches worked in rounds, providing stretch and structure at the hat's edge. Stockinette stitch in the round forms the main body by knitting every round, creating a smooth, classic fabric. Crown shaping involves strategic decreases worked at regular intervals across multiple rounds, gradually reducing stitches from 64 down to 8 to form the hat's tapered top. The pattern concludes with gathering and fastening off the remaining stitches to close the crown.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k) – the primary stitch forming stockinette stitch and the main fabric
• Purl stitch (p) – used in alternation with knit stitches to create the ribbed brim
• Knit two together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease used throughout crown shaping to reduce stitch count
• Stockinette stitch in the round (st st) – created by knitting every round, forming the smooth body of the hat
• Ribbing (k1, p1) – the textured brim created by repeating alternating knit and purl stitches

Materials and Tools

The hat is constructed using Plymouth Yarn Arequipa Fur and Plymouth Yarn Arequipa Worsted, both in the color Putty. Specifically, the pattern requires one 50-gram ball of Arequipa Fur and one 100-gram ball of Arequipa Worsted. These two yarns are held together as one throughout the entire project, creating a textured, blended fabric. The pattern notes that Worsted Merino Superwash, Encore, or Galway Worsted may be substituted for the Arequipa Worsted if needed.

The needles and notions required include US Size 10 (6mm) 16-inch circular knitting needles for the initial cast-on and body work, and US Size 10 (6mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) for crown shaping when stitches no longer fit comfortably on the circular needle. Additional notions include one stitch marker to denote the beginning of each round and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and gathering the final stitches.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a gauge of 12 stitches and 18 rows equal 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US Size 10 needles, holding one strand of Fur and one strand of Worsted together after blocking. This gauge measurement is essential for achieving the intended finished hat circumference of 21 ½ inches. The total hat length from cast-on edge to crown is 6 inches before crown shaping begins.

Construction Overview

The hat begins with a long-tail cast-on of 64 stitches worked on circular needles with both yarns held together. The brim is worked in 1x1 ribbing (alternating knit and purl stitches) for 4 inches, providing elasticity and a professional edge. The body continues in stockinette stitch in the round for an additional 2 inches until the hat measures 6 inches total from the cast-on edge. Crown shaping then begins, with decreases worked every other round across seven decrease rounds, reducing stitches progressively from 64 to 8. The final 8 stitches are gathered tightly using a tapestry needle and fastened off securely to complete the hat.