Rachel Brown Amor Deliria Hat Knitting Pattern

Amor Deliria Hat by Rachel Brown

What Is Being Made

The Amor Deliria is a downloadable knitting pattern for a slouchy hat inspired by the YA novel "Delirium" by Lauren Oliver. This is a three-size hat pattern offering Small (approximately 16.5 inches/42 cm around unstretched), Medium (approximately 18 inches/45.75 cm around unstretched), and Large (approximately 19.75 inches/50 cm around unstretched) options. The hat stretches to accommodate head circumferences of approximately 18, 20, and 22 inches respectively. Despite its visually intricate appearance, the hat works up quickly, making it an excellent choice for last-minute gifts or projects for knitters seeking a challenging yet achievable design.

Techniques Used

The Amor Deliria hat employs several intermediate to advanced knitting techniques. The pattern is worked seamlessly in the round, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a continuous circular construction. The hat features a cabled ribbing at the base that transitions into the main body, combining structural interest with textural appeal. Two distinct lace patterns are incorporated throughout the design, adding visual complexity and an elegant, openwork aesthetic. The combination of cables and lace creates a challenging knit suitable for experienced knitters looking to develop or showcase their skills.

Stitches Used

This pattern requires proficiency in a comprehensive range of knitting stitches and techniques. Essential skills include knitting, purling, increases, and decreases for basic construction and shaping. The pattern specifically utilizes cable stitches, including the 2/2 RC (two over two right cross) technique, where two stitches are slipped to a cable needle and held in back before knitting stitches from the left needle and then from the cable needle. Decrease techniques employed include k2tog (knit two together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) for right-leaning decreases, as well as ssp (slip, slip, purl) for left-leaning decreases. The pattern also features m1p (make one purl) increases for shaping. Advanced lace knitting techniques are central to the design, requiring careful attention to stitch placement and pattern repeats.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Amor Deliria pattern is designed to work with either aran or worsted weight yarns, offering flexibility in fiber choice. The pattern includes two specific yarn recommendations. The first option is Storied Yarns Bo Peep Worsted, a 100% merino yarn available at 250 yards per 4 ounces, with only 1 skein required. The colorway shown is "Waiting for Something to Happen." The second recommendation is Kettle Yarn Company LOMOND Aran, a blend of 60% alpaca, 30% merino, and 10% bamboo, providing 183 yards per 100 grams, also requiring 1 skein. This yarn is shown in the colorway "Ginger." Note that the largest size can be completed with less than the full 183 yards.

The pattern calls for US 7/4.5 mm and US 8/5.0 mm circular needles in 16-inch length, with the option to use double-pointed needles as desired, or needles in the size required to achieve the specified gauge. Additional notions include a stitch marker to indicate the start of the round, additional markers to identify pattern repeats if needed, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Pattern Overview

The Amor Deliria combines visual sophistication with relatively quick construction, making it an ideal project for knitters seeking an intermediate to advanced challenge that doesn't require an extensive time commitment. The transition from cabled ribbing to lace-patterned body creates a hat with both structural interest and elegant openwork details. The seamless, in-the-round construction ensures a professional finish without the need for seaming, while the slouchy silhouette provides contemporary style and comfortable fit across multiple sizes.