Tahki Yarns Kinsey Hat Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Kinsey Hat

Product Overview

The Kinsey Hat is a seamless, easy-level knitted hat designed by Vera Keller-Hum. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished hat with a circumference of 22½ inches (57 cm) and a height of 14 inches (35.5 cm) with an unfolded brim. The hat is worked in the round from the bottom up, making it an ideal project for knitters seeking a straightforward construction method without seaming.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a classic fitted hat featuring a ribbed brim and decorative cable stitch sections throughout the crown. The design incorporates both 12-stitch and 6-stitch cable patterns, creating visual interest and texture. The hat is sized as one size and can be finished with an optional pompom for added embellishment.

Knitting Techniques

The Kinsey Hat employs several key knitting techniques that make it accessible for knitters with basic to intermediate skills:

• Seamless, Worked in the Round: The entire hat is constructed using circular needles and double-pointed needles, eliminating the need for seaming. This technique creates a smooth, professional finish and allows knitters to try on the hat as it progresses.
• Bottom-Up Construction: The hat begins at the brim and works upward toward the crown, a traditional approach that allows for easy adjustments and fitting.
• Cable Stitches: Two distinct cable patterns—a 12-stitch cable and a 6-stitch cable—are featured throughout the hat. These cables require the use of a cable needle to create the characteristic twisted, rope-like texture.
• Ribbing: A 2x2 rib stitch forms the brim, providing elasticity and a finished edge that hugs the head comfortably.
• Decreasing: The pattern includes decreasing techniques such as knit 2 together (k2tog) and purl 2 together (p2tog) to shape the crown and close the top of the hat.

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates the following stitches:

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch used for gauge measurement and the main body of the hat, created by alternating knit and purl rows in the round.
• 2x2 Rib: Used for the brim, this stitch alternates two knit stitches with two purl stitches every round, creating vertical lines and elasticity.
• 12-Stitch Cable Pattern: A 14-round repeat featuring cable crosses on rounds 3 and 10, with knit stitches filling the remaining rounds. This creates a bold, prominent cable design.
• 6-Stitch Cable Pattern: A 14-round repeat with cable crosses on rounds 3 and 10, creating a more delicate cable texture than the 12-stitch version.
• Decreasing Stitches: Knit 2 together and purl 2 together are used to decrease stitches during crown shaping and final closure.

Materials and Tools

The Kinsey Hat pattern specifies the following materials and equipment:

Yarn: The pattern uses two different Tahki Yarns products to create depth and visual interest:

• Tahki Yarns VERMONT: A blend of 50% Merino wool and 50% alpaca, this yarn is used for the main color. Two balls are required, each weighing 1.75 ounces (50 grams) with 93 yards (85 meters) per ball. The specified color is #110 stone heather.
• Tahki Yarns ALDEN: A finer blend of 50% fine Merino wool, 25% superfine alpaca, and 25% acrylic, this yarn provides contrast and texture. One ball is required, weighing 1.75 ounces (50 grams) with 250 yards (230 meters) per ball. The specified color is #14 silver.

Needles and Notions:

• Size 9 (5.5mm) circular needle, 16 inches (40 cm) long for the main body
• Size 6 (4mm) circular needle, 16 inches (40 cm) long for the rib