Willow & Lark Josephine Hat Knitting Pattern

Willow & Lark Josephine Hat: Cable Knit Design from THE HOMESTEAD COLLECTION

What Is Being Made

The Josephine Hat is an intermediate-level knitted hat designed to fit an average adult head with a finished width of 56 cm (22 inches) around. This downloadable PDF pattern is part of Willow & Lark's THE HOMESTEAD COLLECTION and combines cable knit and lace techniques to create a textured, sophisticated hat suitable for everyday wear.

Craft and Project Overview

This is a knitting project worked entirely in the round using double pointed needles. The construction method ensures a seamless, professional finish typical of circular knitting techniques. The pattern is classified as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with more complex stitch patterns and shaping.

Techniques Used

• Lace knitting: Incorporated throughout the pattern to create openwork details and visual interest
• Cable knitting: The primary decorative technique, featuring crossed stitches that create raised, twisted rope-like textures
• Slip stitch technique: Used for patterning with specific instructions—slipped stitches should be worked purlwise with yarn held at the back (wrong side) of work, except for decreasing stitches which are slipped knitwise
• Circular knitting: Worked in continuous rounds to eliminate seaming

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern employs specialized cable abbreviations and standard knitting notation:

• Cr3L (Cable 3 Left): Slip next stitch onto cable needle and leave at front of work, slip 1 stitch, knit 1, then knit 1 from cable needle
• Cr3R (Cable 3 Right): Slip next 2 stitches onto cable needle and leave at back of work, knit 1, then knit 1 and slip 1 from cable needle
• sl1, K1, psso: Slip 1 stitch, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over (a common decrease method)
• Additional abbreviations include standard notation such as cont (continue), with pattern repeats indicated in round brackets

Materials and Tools Required

Yarn: Willow & Lark Ramble, 100% wool DK weight. The pattern requires 2 balls of 50g (1¾oz) each. Suggested colorways include Bluebell (shade 122) and Lichen Green (shade 115). The designer specifically recommends using Ramble yarn to achieve the finished look shown in project photographs, as fiber content, weight, twist, and composition directly impact the appearance of the completed garment.

Needles: The pattern calls for two sets of double pointed needles—one set of 3.25mm (UK size 10, US size 3) for ribbed sections and one set of 4.00mm (UK size 8, US size 6) for the main fabric.

Additional Tools: A cable needle is essential for executing the cable crossing stitches (Cr3L and Cr3R).

Tension and Gauge

Correct tension is critical for proper fit. The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rounds to 10cm (4 inches) measured over stocking stitch using 4.00mm (US 6) needles. The designer emphasizes that checking tension before beginning is vitally important, as working to incorrect tension will result in a hat that does not fit as intended and may leave excess yarn.

Skills Required

Knitters should be comfortable with slip stitch technique and lace knitting before beginning this project. Understanding how to work cable crosses using a cable needle is essential, as these techniques form the core of the Josephine Hat's design.