Olgajazzy Sabi Hat Knitting Pattern

Olgajazzy Sabi Hat - Knitted Beanie with Textured Zigzag Pattern

What is Being Made

The Sabi Hat is a simply shaped knitted beanie designed for adult head sizes. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a classic beanie hat featuring a distinctive textured zigzag stitch pattern throughout. The hat is available in two sizes to fit head circumferences of 21.5 inches (Adult Average) and 23.25 inches (Adult Large), with adjustable depth options of 8 or 9 inches based on knitter preference. The rust-colored finished hat showcases the elastic and relaxed nature of the stitch pattern, making it an ideal quick project for holiday gift-giving.

Techniques Used

This knitting pattern employs bottom-up construction, beginning with a cast-on at the base and working upward toward the crown. The hat is worked in the round using circular needles, which creates a seamless tubular fabric without requiring seaming. The pattern uses the long tail cast-on method to begin, and incorporates decreases to shape the crown. The textured stitch pattern is highly elastic and relaxes significantly with washing, allowing the fabric to drape naturally while maintaining structure.

Stitches Used

The Sabi Hat combines multiple stitch techniques to create its signature look:

• 2x2 Ribbing: The initial 11 rounds establish a 2x2 rib pattern (knit 2, purl 2) worked on the smaller needle size, creating an elastic cuff that provides stretch and recovery around the head.
• Textured Zigzag Pattern: The main body features a complex stitch pattern worked over 22 rounds that alternates between yarn overs (yo), knit 2 together decreases (k2tog), and slip, slip, knit decreases (ssk) combined with purl stitches. This creates the distinctive zigzag texture and contributes to the fabric's elasticity.
• Decreases: The pattern incorporates k2tog and ssk decreases strategically placed within the textured pattern to shape the hat and reduce stitches as needed.

Materials and Gauge

The Sabi Hat pattern calls for Kersti Merino Crepe yarn, a 100% hand-dyed merino wool in color #1110 (rust). The pattern requires 2 skeins of this yarn, which provides 50 grams and 114 yards per skein, or approximately 130 to 160 yards total of light worsted weight yarn depending on hat size. Knitters may substitute other light worsted weight yarns of similar yardage and fiber content.

The pattern specifies US 5 (4 mm) circular needles for the ribbed cuff section and US 6 (4 mm) circular needles for the textured main body. The gauge is measured at 20 stitches and 36 rounds over 4 inches in the textured stitch pattern with the larger needle, washed and blocked and measured slightly stretched. For the 2x2 rib worked on the smaller needle, the gauge is 20 stitches and 44 rounds over 4 inches, also measured slightly stretched.

Pattern Skill Level

This pattern is rated for Beginner to Intermediate knitters. While the construction method of working in the round is straightforward, the textured stitch pattern requires attention to multiple stitch types and their placement within each round. The pattern is described as quite easy and fast to knit, making it accessible for those with basic circular knitting experience who are ready to work with more complex stitch combinations.