Tahki Yarns Sycamore Hat Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Sycamore Hat

What is Being Made

The Sycamore Hat is a one-size knitted hat designed by Irina Poludnenko. This pattern creates a finished hat with a circumference of 20 inches (51 cm), featuring a shaped crown and a back flap detail. The hat is suitable for everyday wear and showcases the luxurious qualities of superfine alpaca fiber.

Techniques Used

This hat is worked in the round, a fundamental knitting technique that creates seamless, tubular fabric. The construction begins with a cast-on edge worked on a circular needle, then transitions to double-pointed needles (dpns) during the crown shaping phase when the stitch count decreases significantly. The pattern also incorporates a back flap that is picked up and worked flat from the cast-on edge, demonstrating the combination of circular and flat knitting within a single project.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch throughout most of the hat, created by knitting all stitches in every round to produce a smooth, classic fabric with a distinctive V-pattern texture on the right side.
• Garter Stitch: Created by purling 2 rounds at the cast-on edge, producing a textured, reversible fabric that adds visual interest to the hat's lower edge.
• Decreases (K2tog): Knit 2 together decreases are used strategically during crown shaping to reduce stitches and create the tapered top of the hat.
• Increases (M1): Make 1 increases are referenced in the abbreviations, allowing for stitch manipulation as needed during construction.

Materials and Tools

This pattern requires 2 skeins of Tahki Yarns GLACIER, a yarn composed of 100% superfine alpaca. Each skein weighs 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and contains 35 yards (32.5 meters) of yardage. The natural color (#01) provides a neutral, versatile option suitable for various styling preferences.

The needles required include one size 15 (10 mm) circular needle measuring 16 inches (40 cm) in length for the main body, one size 13 (9 mm) circular needle of the same length for the ribbed edge, and one set of size 15 (10 mm) double-pointed needles for crown decreasing. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and securing the back flap.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 8 stitches and 13 rounds over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch using the larger needle. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished hat achieves the intended 20-inch circumference and proper fit.

Construction Overview

The hat construction begins with casting on 40 stitches on the smaller circular needle, then working 2 rounds in garter stitch to create a textured edge. The needle is then changed to the larger size, and the body is worked in Stockinette stitch for approximately 3.5 inches. The crown is shaped through a series of strategic decreases worked every 4 rounds, gradually reducing the stitch count until only 8 stitches remain. These final stitches are secured by threading the yarn tail through them. A back flap is then picked up along the cast-on edge and worked flat, adding a practical and stylistic element to the finished hat.