Valley Yarns Fennel Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Fennel Knit Hat

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Fennel is a close-fitting twist stitch beanie designed by Julie Turjoman. This intermediate-level knit hat features a dense, twisted stitch pattern inspired by Japanese stitch design aesthetics. The beanie is available in three sizes to fit head circumferences of 18 inches (small), 20 inches (medium), and 22 inches (large), making it a versatile option for various head sizes.

Techniques Used

This hat is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create its distinctive appearance and structure:

• Seamless Construction: The Fennel is worked seamlessly in the round, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a smooth, continuous fabric.
• Bottom-Up Construction: The hat is built from the bottom edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the piece as they progress and easily adjust the length if needed.
• Cable Stitches: The pattern incorporates cable crosses, including 1/1 Right Cross (RC) and 1/1 Left Cross (LC) stitches, as well as 1/2 cable variations. These cable elements create the twisted, dimensional texture characteristic of the design.
• Worked in the Round: Using circular needles and double-pointed needles (DPNs), the hat is knit continuously in rounds rather than flat rows, contributing to the seamless finish.

Stitches Used

The Fennel pattern employs a variety of fundamental and decorative stitches to build its textured design:

• Knit Through Back Loop (K1 tbl): This stitch creates a twisted appearance and is used throughout the pattern to enhance the twisted stitch aesthetic.
• Purl Stitches (P): Purl stitches are interspersed with knit stitches to create contrast and define the cable pattern sections.
• Stockinette Stitch: The gauge is measured in stockinette stitch, indicating this is the base fabric structure used for the hat.
• Cable Crosses: Multiple cable crossing techniques are employed, including 1/1 Right Cross, 1/1 Left Cross, and 1/2 cable variations, which create the twisted, braided visual elements throughout the pattern.
• Knit Two Together Through Back Loops (K2tog tbl): This decrease stitch is used to shape the hat, particularly during crown shaping.
• Ribbed Sections: The pattern includes [K1, P1] ribbing sequences that provide elasticity and structure to the hat.

Materials and Tools

The Fennel is designed to be knit with specific materials that contribute to its dense, warm construction:

• Yarn: Valley Yarns Becket is the recommended yarn, a blend of 50% Superfine Alpaca and 50% Wool. The yarn is provided in skeins containing 100 grams and 141 yards. Yarn requirements vary by size: small requires 1 skein, while medium and large sizes each require 2 skeins. The sample shown is worked in the Honey Wheat colorway.
• Needles: The pattern requires US 8 (5.00 mm) circular needles in 16-inch length for the main fabric, along with matching double-pointed needles (DPNs) for the crown shaping. US 7 (4.50 mm) circular needles are also listed for ribbing or alternative sizing options. Knitters may substitute US 9 or US 8 needles if necessary to achieve proper gauge.
• Additional Supplies: Stitch markers are essential for tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings, and a tapestry needle is needed for weaving in yarn ends after completion.

Gauge and Sizing

Achieving proper gauge is critical for this hat to fit correctly. The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 20 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, blocked, using US 8 (5.00 mm) needles. This relatively tight gauge, combined with the dense twisted stitch pattern, creates a warm, structured beanie suitable for cold weather wear.