String Ella Hat Knitting Pattern

String Ella Hat: Luxurious Cashmere Knit Design

What Is Being Made

The Ella Hat is a sophisticated, one-size-fits-most knitted hat designed by Yiming Zhi for Tricoter. This elegant accessory features a finished circumference of 20 inches and a height of 11 inches before the optional brim is folded. The hat combines a refined construction method with premium materials, making it suitable for those seeking a high-quality, luxury headwear piece.

Techniques Used

The Ella Hat is worked flat rather than in the round, which means all pieces are knitted on straight needles and then seamed together during finishing. This flat-working approach allows for precise stitch control and creates clean, professional seams. The pattern incorporates color work using two coordinating yarn colors—a main color and a contrasting color—to create visual interest and texture throughout the design. The crown features strategic decreases that shape the hat from a wider base to a fitted top, while the brim utilizes ribbed knitting to create elasticity and structure.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern alternates between knit and purl rows to create the main fabric texture. The crown section employs a pattern stitch that combines knit stitches with slip stitches—stitches slipped with yarn in back (wyib) and yarn in front (wyif)—which adds visual dimension and helps create the hat's distinctive appearance. Knit two together (k2tog) decreases are used multiple times throughout the crown shaping to gradually reduce stitch counts from 51 stitches down to 13 stitches at the top. The brim is worked in K1, P1 ribbing, a classic one-knit, one-purl pattern that provides stretch and recovery, essential for a comfortable, secure fit around the head.

Materials and Tools

The Ella Hat is crafted using String GENEVA yarn, a premium blend of 90% cashmere and 10% lambswool. Two colorways are required: one ball of color 517089 graphite (main color) and one ball of color 517093 silver birch (contrasting color). Each ball contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and provides 56 yards (142.5 meters) of yardage. The project requires US 7 (4.5mm) needles for the main body and US 6 (4.0mm) needles for the brim ribbing. Additional finishing tools include a yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends, and an optional pompom for the crown. The recommended gauge is 19½ stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches when working the pattern stitch on the larger needles.

Construction Overview

The hat construction begins with the brim, where 102 stitches are cast on and worked flat in K1, P1 ribbing for 4 inches, with one stitch decreased in the final row to create 101 stitches. The main body is then worked in the pattern stitch for 7 inches, establishing the hat's primary height and texture. The crown shaping follows, where decreases are worked across multiple rows to taper the hat to its finished point. After knitting is complete, the piece is seamed, ends are woven to the wrong side, and the hat may be lightly steamed for finishing. An optional pompom can be sewn to the crown for added embellishment.