1280 - Iris - Hat Knitting Pattern for Women in Valley Yarns Taconic by Valley Yarns

1280 Iris Hat Knitting Pattern for Women

Project Overview

The Iris is a women's slouch beanie hat designed by Julie Turjoman and published by Valley Yarns. This intermediate-level knitting pattern creates a cozy cold-weather accessory worked in the round using luxurious yarn. The finished hat measures 10 inches in height with a ribbed band circumference of 18 (20½, 22¾) inches unstretched, fitting head circumferences of 18–20 (20–22, 22–24) inches across three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large.

What Is Being Made

The Iris is a slouch beanie hat designed for women seeking a comfortable, textured cold-weather accessory. The hat features a distinctive construction with a ribbed band at the base and a cabled rise that creates visual interest and structure. The slouch style provides a relaxed fit while the cable pattern adds dimension and a tailored appearance. This pattern is ideal for knitters looking to create a gift or personal wardrobe piece using premium materials.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Worked in the Round: The entire hat is constructed using circular needles and double-pointed needles, creating seamless fabric without requiring seaming.
• Bottom-Up Construction: The hat is knitted from the ribbed band at the bottom upward toward the crown, allowing knitters to try on the hat and adjust length as needed.
• Cable Knitting: A cable stitch pattern forms the main body of the hat, creating raised twisted strands that add texture, warmth, and visual appeal to the design.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Ribbed Band: The hat begins with a K1/P1 (knit one, purl one) ribbed pattern that creates elasticity and helps the hat stay securely on the head. This ribbed section is worked with smaller needles to create a snug, unstretched circumference of 18 (20½, 22¾) inches.
• Cable Stitch Pattern: The rise of the hat features a cable stitch pattern that is worked in the round. This textured stitch creates the characteristic twisted rope-like appearance and adds both visual interest and insulation to the finished hat.

Yarn and Materials

The Iris pattern calls for 2 balls of Valley Yarns Taconic, a premium yarn blend consisting of 70% Merino Wool and 30% Cashmere. Each ball contains 50 grams and approximately 125 yards, providing 250 yards total for the completed hat. The pattern sample shown is worked in Bright Blue (color #515024), though the yarn is available in other colorways. This wool and cashmere blend offers luxury softness, warmth, and breathability ideal for a close-fitting beanie.

Needles and Tools Required

• US Size 5 (3.75 mm) 16-inch circular needle: Used for the ribbed band section to create the proper gauge and elasticity for the K1/P1 rib pattern.
• US Size 7 (4.5 mm) 16-inch circular needle and double-pointed needles: Used for the cable stitch pattern in the main body and crown of the hat, or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge.
• Additional Materials: Stitch markers to track pattern repeats and the beginning of rounds, a cable needle for manipulating stitches in the cable pattern, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge and Sizing Information

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this pattern to fit correctly. The cable stitch pattern should measure 22 stitches and 32 rounds over 4 inches when worked with the larger size needles and blocked. The K1/P1 ribbed band should measure 24 stitches and 32 rounds over 4 inches when worked with the smaller size needles in an unstretched state. The pattern provides three finished sizes to accommodate different head circumferences, with the Medium size shown in the pattern photos.

Skill Level and Pattern Difficulty

This pattern is rated as Intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle cable work and circular knitting techniques. Knitters should be comfortable working in the round with both circular needles and double-pointed needles, reading stitch patterns, and manipulating stitches with a cable needle. The combination of ribbed and cable sections provides a good opportunity to practice texture variation within a single project.