Witch Hazel Hat Knitting Pattern

Witch Hazel Hat in Berroco Tuscan Tweed

What is Being Made

The Witch Hazel Hat is an intermediate-level knitted hat designed by Amy Christoffers. This finished hat measures approximately 19 inches around with a height of 10 inches when gently stretched, making it a one-size-fits-most design suitable for various head sizes.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques that add visual interest and texture to the finished garment. The primary techniques include:

• Cable knitting: Multiple cable twists are incorporated throughout the pattern, creating dimensional texture and a sophisticated appearance
• Circular knitting: The hat is worked in the round using circular needles, which eliminates the need for seaming and creates a seamless construction
• Decreasing for crown shaping: Strategic decreases are worked to shape the crown of the hat, transitioning from circular needles to double-pointed needles as stitch count reduces
• Ribbed cuffs: A knit-purl ribbed section creates elasticity and helps the hat stay securely on the head

Stitches Used

The Witch Hazel Hat features a variety of stitches that create texture and structure:

• Knit and purl stitches: The foundation of the pattern, creating contrast and visual interest
• Cable stitches: Specialized cable twists including C5kp (slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit 3, then purl 1 and knit 1 from cable needle), C2 (slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold in front, purl 1, then knit 1 from cable needle), C5 (slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit 3, then purl 2 from cable needle), and C2dec (a cable twist combined with a decrease)
• Decreases: SSK (slip, slip, knit) decreases are used to shape the hat crown
• Ribbing: A repeating pattern of knit 1, purl 2, knit 1 creates the elastic cuff section

Materials and Tools

The Witch Hazel Hat is crafted using Berroco Tuscan Tweed yarn in the colorway #9034 Nightshade. This project requires 2 balls of yarn, with each ball weighing 50 grams. The yarn is worked at a gauge of 27 stitches and 30 rounds over 4 inches in pattern stitch on the larger needle.

Knitting needles required include a 16-inch circular needle in size 5 (3.75 mm) for the ribbed cuff section and a 16-inch circular needle in size 6 (4.00 mm) for the main pattern. Additionally, one set of four double-pointed needles in size 6 (4.00 mm) is needed for working the crown decreases when stitches become too few for the circular needle. A stitch marker and tapestry needle complete the necessary tools for this project.

Pattern Structure

The hat begins with casting on 96 stitches on the smaller circular needle and joining to work in the round. The pattern starts with 12 rounds of ribbing worked on the smaller needle to create an elastic cuff. The knitter then changes to the larger circular needle and works a 10-round repeating cable pattern a total of five times, creating the main body of the hat with its distinctive textured design. The pattern notes that during Round 9, the final cable twist crosses over the beginning and end of the round, creating a seamless appearance. Crown shaping follows, with decreases worked strategically until the remaining stitches are transferred to double-pointed needles for final closure.