Malabrigo Bedford Hat Knitting Pattern

Malabrigo Bedford Slouchy Hat

What Is Being Made

The Malabrigo Bedford is a brick stitch slouchy hat designed by Christina Behnke. This is a one-size-fits-most knitted hat featuring a relaxed, slouchy silhouette with a finished circumference of 18 inches and a depth of 9 inches. The design combines textural stitch patterns with strategic shaping to create a comfortable, casual hat suitable for various head sizes.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Bedford hat is constructed using a bottom-up, worked-flat approach with seaming. The knitter begins at the brim and works upward toward the crown, with the finished pieces later seamed together. This method allows for easy adjustments and provides control over the final fit and appearance of the garment.

Stitch Patterns and Details

The hat features several key stitch techniques:

• Ribbed Cuff: The hat begins with a k1, p1 (knit one, purl one) rib worked over 2 inches from the cast-on edge, creating an elastic, fitted band at the brim.
• Brick Stitch Pattern: After the ribbed cuff, the main body is worked in brick pattern stitch, which creates a distinctive horizontal texture. This pattern is repeated three times across the body of the hat, with the final 26 rows repeated two additional times for extended length and visual interest.
• Chain Stitch Separators: The brick pattern is interspersed with chain stitch rows worked on wrong-side rows. These chain stitches appear as horizontal stitch stripes that separate the pattern bands and add visual definition. The chain stitch technique requires inserting the right-hand needle purlwise into the front of the second stitch on the left-hand needle, and knitters are instructed to pull stitches slightly so the stitch line appears tight and even on the right side.
• Crown Decreases: The crown is shaped through a series of strategic decrease rows that reduce stitches from 128 down to 16 stitches, creating the gathered top of the slouchy hat. Decreases are worked using k2tog (knit two together) techniques combined with knit and purl stitches to maintain pattern integrity.

Materials and Tools

The Malabrigo Bedford is designed to be worked with Malabrigo Sock yarn, a superwash merino and nylon blend. One 3½-ounce hank, containing approximately 440 yards of yarn, is required to complete the hat. The sample shown is worked in colorway #005 Aniversario.

Knitting needles required include one pair each of sizes 2 and 3 (2.75mm and 3.25mm), or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. The pattern also calls for a tapestry needle for finishing and weaving in ends.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 31 stitches and 35 rows over 4 inches in brick pattern stitch using the larger needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the hat to fit correctly, and knitters are strongly encouraged to take time to check their gauge before beginning the project. The hat is designed as one size that fits most, with the slouchy construction allowing for some flexibility in fit.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as Easy skill level, making it accessible to knitters with basic experience. The straightforward construction, simple stitch patterns, and clear shaping instructions make it an ideal project for those looking to expand their knitting skills with texture and basic decreasing techniques.