Valley Yarns Cypress Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Cypress Aviator Hat

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Cypress is a charming aviator-style hat designed for infants and toddlers, featuring distinctive earflaps and a turn-up front brim. This quick-to-knit project is ideal as a gift for the youngest members of a knitter's gift list. The pattern includes four finished sizes to accommodate head circumferences from 0-6 months through 18-24 months, with the sample shown in the 6-12 month size. The hat's band stretches up to 2 inches larger than the finished measurements for a comfortable, flexible fit.

Techniques Used

The Cypress hat employs several intermediate techniques that remain accessible to adventurous beginners. The entire hat is worked in the round in one piece using circular needles and double-pointed needles, creating a seamless construction. The design incorporates strategic pattern transitions: the lower band is worked in garter stitch in the round, while the rise section above the band switches to stockinette stitch with regularly spaced single purl stitches for visual interest and stitch definition. The earflaps are shaped using a combination of short rows and paired decreases, creating the characteristic aviator silhouette. Crown shaping is accomplished through decrease stitches worked from the mid-crown to the top, integrated with the stockinette and purl stitch pattern. The turn-back brim and earflaps are worked back and forth in rows from stitches picked up along the cast-on edge, adding dimensional construction to the design.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch — formed by alternating knit and purl rounds, used for the band and earflaps to create a textured, reversible fabric with excellent elasticity
• Stockinette stitch — the primary stitch for the rise and crown sections, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric
• Purl stitches — single purl stitches spaced at regular intervals throughout the rise and crown to add visual texture and stitch markers
• Decreases — paired decreases worked in the crown shaping to form the hat's crown point
• Short rows — used in earflap shaping to create the three-dimensional aviator ear coverage

Materials and Yarn

The Cypress hat is knitted using Valley Yarns Valley Superwash, a practical choice for infant and toddler garments. This yarn is composed of 100% Extrafine Merino wool, offering softness, breathability, and easy care through machine washing. The pattern requires 2 balls of yarn (approximately 194 yards total) in the colorway 391 - Blue Mist. Knitting is worked on US size 7 (4.50 mm) circular needles measuring 9 inches and double-pointed needles, or whatever needle size is needed to achieve the specified gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in garter stitch after blocking. Additional materials include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, two buttons measuring ¾ inch in diameter for the earflap closures, a sewing needle, and thread matching the yarn color for secure button attachment.

Skill Level and Pattern Format

Designed as an Adventurous Beginner project, the Cypress hat is accessible to knitters with foundational skills who are ready to expand their technique repertoire. The pattern is provided as a downloadable PDF, making it convenient for digital access and printing. The straightforward one-piece construction and quick-to-complete nature of the project make it an excellent choice for gift knitting and skill-building in the round.