Imperial Yarn Santa Ana Slouchy Hat Knitting Pattern

Imperial Yarn Santa Ana Slouchy Hat

What Is Being Made

The Santa Ana Slouchy Hat is an intermediate-level knitted hat designed by Deborah Newton. This one-size hat features a relaxed, slouchy silhouette with a brim circumference of 17½ inches (44.5 cm) that stretches to approximately 22 inches (56 cm), and a total length of 14 inches (35.5 cm). The hat combines decorative lace panels with textured garter ridge sections for visual interest and dimension.

Techniques Used

This hat is worked in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles, which creates a seamless construction. The design features lace as a primary decorative technique, with charted lace panels that create an openwork pattern throughout the body of the hat. The construction progresses from the brim upward, with shaping at the crown created through strategic decreases that are worked every four rounds to form the slouchy top. The pattern uses both knit and purl stitches to create contrast between the lace panels and garter ridge sections.

Stitches Used

The Santa Ana Slouchy Hat employs several fundamental knitting stitches to achieve its design:

• Knit stitch (K) – forms the foundation of the fabric and appears throughout the pattern
• Purl stitch (P) – used in the Garter Ridge Panel to create textured ridges
• Yarn over (yo) – creates the openwork holes characteristic of the lace panels
• Purl two together (p2tog) – a left-leaning decrease used in both the Lace Panel and Garter Ridge sections
• Purl two together (p2tog) – decreases worked during the crown shaping phase to form the slouchy peak

The pattern is organized into two repeating chart sections: a Lace Panel (18 stitches) that repeats in a 12-round sequence, and a Garter Ridge Panel (10 stitches) that repeats in a 4-round sequence. These panels alternate around the circumference of the hat.

Materials

The Santa Ana Slouchy Hat is knitted using Imperial Yarn Tracie Too, a 100% wool yarn. One hank of this yarn is required; each hank weighs 113 grams (4 ounces) and contains approximately 395 yards (361 meters). The pattern shows the hat in two colorways: #328 Teal Shadow and #341 Sweet Plum, allowing knitters to choose their preferred shade.

Needles required include US size 6 (4 mm) circular needles measuring 16 inches (40 cm) long for the ribbed brim, and US size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles also 16 inches (40 cm) long for the main body. A set of 4 or 5 double-pointed needles in US size 7 (4.5 mm) is needed for working the crown decreases when the stitch count becomes too small for circular needles. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, a heavy piece of cardboard (used as a blocking aid), and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge and Sizing

Proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions. The lace panel alone should measure 3¼ inches (8.5 cm) wide using the larger needles. When worked in the combined Lace Panel and Garter Ridge pattern, 28 stitches should measure 5 inches (12.5 cm) wide, and 37 rounds should measure 4 inches (10 cm) in height. Knitters are advised to take time to check gauge before beginning the project to ensure the hat fits as intended.