St Kilda Hat & Mitts Knitting Pattern

St Kilda Hat & Mitts in Juniper Moon Cumulus

Project Overview

The St Kilda Hat & Mitts set is a coordinated knitting project designed by Tabetha Hedrick that combines a textured hat with matching fingerless mitts. Both pieces feature the distinctive Kilda stitch pattern and are constructed using the same yarn and needle size for a cohesive, coordinated look. This downloadable PDF pattern provides complete instructions for creating a sophisticated accessory set in two sizes.

What Is Being Made

• Hat: A fitted, crown-shaped hat with a ribbed brim measuring 18¼ inches (S/M) or 19¾ inches (L) in circumference, with a finished length of 8.5 inches from cast-on edge to crown closure
• Mitts: Fingerless mitts with a 7-inch circumference and 10-inch length, designed to be worn as a coordinating accessory

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create its refined finished appearance. The hat is worked in the round using circular needles, which is then transitioned to double-pointed needles (dpns) as stitches decrease during crown shaping. The mitts are similarly constructed in the round using dpns from the cast-on edge. The pattern incorporates a thumb gusset technique for the mitts, allowing for proper fit and mobility. Crown shaping is achieved through strategic decreases that gradually reduce stitch count, creating the hat's tapered crown.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The defining feature of this set is the Kilda stitch, a 12-round repeating pattern that creates textured visual interest throughout both pieces. The Kilda stitch combines knit and purl stitches with decorative yarn overs and centered double decreases (s2kp—slip 2 stitches together knitwise, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over). Specific rounds alternate between purl and knit sections, with Rounds 6 and 12 featuring the lacy yarn-over and decrease elements that give the pattern its characteristic appearance.

Beyond the Kilda stitch pattern, the construction employs fundamental techniques including:

• Knit (k) and Purl (p) stitches: The foundational stitches that form the textured pattern
• Yarn overs (yo): Used in Rounds 6 and 12 of the Kilda pattern to create decorative openings
• Decreases: Including k2tog (knit 2 together), p2tog (purl 2 together), and s2kp (slip, slip, knit, pass slipped stitches over) for shaping the crown and reducing stitches
• Make 1 (M1): Used in the mitt thumb gusset to increase stitches

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The St Kilda Hat & Mitts pattern calls for Juniper Moon Farm Cumulus yarn in color #6 Flamingo. One 100-gram skein is required for the hat, and one 100-gram skein is required for the mitts, allowing crafters to create the complete coordinated set using 200 grams of yarn total.

Needle requirements include a US 8 (5 mm) circular needle measuring 16 inches (40 cm) for the initial hat construction, and US 8 (5 mm) double-pointed needles for transitioning to crown decreases on the hat and for constructing the mitts from the beginning. The pattern specifies that needle size should be adjusted as needed to obtain the correct gauge. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and two stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and construction points.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a gauge of 17 stitches and 27 rounds measuring 4 inches (10 cm) in the Kilda stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is emphasized as essential for achieving proper fit. The hat is available in two sizes: S/M with a 18¼-inch brim circumference, and L with a 19¾-inch brim circumference. Both sizes finish at 8.5 inches in length. The mitts maintain a consistent 7-inch circumference and 10-inch length across sizes.

Construction Method