Tahki Yarns Ashton Hat and Mitts Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Ashton Hat and Mitts

Project Overview

The Ashton Hat and Mitts is a coordinating two-piece knitted set designed by Susan Baron. This beginner-friendly pattern allows you to create both a cozy hat and matching mitts using a single colorway, making it an ideal project for knitters new to working in the round and shaping techniques.

What Is Being Made

Hat: A fitted knit hat with a circumference of 21½ inches (54.5 cm) and a height of 10 inches (25.5 cm). The hat features a ribbed cuff, textured patterning created through alternating knit and purl rounds, and a shaped crown.

Mitts: A pair of knitted mitts with a length of 9¼ inches (23.5 cm) and a circumference of 7 inches (19 cm). The mitts include a thumbhole and are worked seamlessly from the cuff upward.

Techniques Used

• Worked in the Round: Both the hat and mitts are constructed using circular needles and double-pointed needles, allowing for seamless construction without side seams.
• Bottom-Up Construction: The pieces are knitted from the cuff or cast-on edge upward toward the crown or top shaping.
• Seamless Shaping: Decreases are strategically placed using knit two together (K2tog) stitches to shape the crown of the hat and the top of the mitts.
• Stitch Markers: Markers are used throughout to track decrease points and maintain pattern consistency.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used for the body of both pieces, created by knitting all rounds to produce a smooth, V-textured fabric.
• K1, P1 Rib: Used for the cuffs of both the hat and mitts, this alternating knit and purl stitch creates an elastic, fitted edge.
• Knit Two Together (K2tog): A basic decrease stitch used throughout the crown shaping to gradually reduce stitches and form the fitted top of the hat and mitts.
• Purl Rounds: Reverse stockinette purl rounds are incorporated to create textured pattern sections that alternate with knit rounds.

Materials and Gauge

The Ashton Hat and Mitts pattern calls for Tahki Kaleidoscope yarn, a blend of 86% superwash wool and 14% acrylic. One ball (3.5 ounces/100 grams; 218 yards/198 meters) in color #2434 starry night is required for each piece. The superwash wool content makes these pieces easy to care for, while the acrylic blend adds durability and helps maintain shape.

Needle Requirements: For the mitts, one set of size 7 (4.5mm) double-pointed needles is used. For the hat, both a size 7 (4.5mm) circular needle (16 inches/40 cm long) and a size 6 (4mm) circular needle (16 inches/40 cm long) are needed to accommodate the ribbed cuff and body sections. Double-pointed needles are used when the circular needle becomes too large during crown shaping.

Gauge: The pattern is worked at a gauge of 18 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in pattern. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure proper fit, particularly for the hat circumference and mitt length.

Pattern Construction Details

Hat Construction: The hat begins with a cast-on of 100 stitches using the smaller circular needle. The cuff is worked in K1, P1 Rib for 8 rounds to create an elastic edge. The body is then worked on the larger circular needle with repeating pattern sections of purl and knit rounds, creating subtle texture. The crown is shaped through a series of decrease rounds using K2tog stitches placed at marked intervals, gradually reducing from 100 stitches to a closed top.

Mitts Construction: The mitts begin with a cast-on of 38 stitches and are joined for working in the round. The cuff features purl and knit rounds for texture before transitioning to the body. A thumbhole is incorporated into the pattern. The top is shaped using a