Alum Cave Hat

Alum Cave Hat by Jennifer Myrick

What is Being Made

The Alum Cave Hat is a knitted, in-the-round hat inspired by the scenic hiking trail to Alum Cave in the Great Smoky Mountains. This intermediate-level design features cable work and textured stitch patterns, creating a sophisticated hat suitable for various seasons depending on yarn choice.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques to create visual interest and structure:

• Circular knitting: The hat is worked in the round using circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming and creating seamless construction.
• Cable knitting: The design features cable crosses that add texture and dimension to the finished hat.
• Ribbed edging: A double rib (knit 2, purl 2) brim provides stretch and a finished appearance at the hat's lower edge.
• Decreasing techniques: Strategic decreases shape the crown of the hat as stitches are reduced toward the top.
• Gauge-based sizing: The pattern relies on achieving proper gauge to ensure correct fit and finished dimensions.

Stitches Used

The Alum Cave Hat incorporates the following stitches and abbreviations:

• K2, P2 ribbing: Knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches in alternating columns for the brim, worked for 3 inches.
• 5/5 RC (5 over 5 right cross): A cable stitch executed by slipping 5 stitches to a cable needle and holding to the back, knitting 5 stitches from the main needle, then knitting the 5 stitches from the cable needle. This creates the characteristic twisted cable pattern.
• SK2P (double decrease): A centered decrease worked by slipping 1 stitch, knitting 2 stitches together, then passing the slipped stitch over the resulting stitch. This technique reduces stitches while maintaining a centered line of decreases.
• Stockinette stitch: Implied as the base fabric between cable and decorative elements.

Materials and Gauge

Yarn: The pattern is designed using Cascade Yarns CASCADE 220 HEATHERS, a 100% Peruvian Highland Wool yarn in the colorway #9444 Tangerine Heather. One 100-gram skein (220 yards) is required to complete the hat. The pattern is suitable for aran, dk, or worsted weight yarns, offering flexibility for yarn substitution.

Needles: Two sizes of 16-inch circular needles are required: Size 6 (4mm) needles for the ribbed brim and Size 8 (5mm) needles for the main body and cable pattern sections.

Additional notions: A stitch marker to denote the beginning of rounds, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and a cable needle for managing cable stitches.

Gauge: The pattern is worked to a gauge of 26 stitches and 26 rounds over 4 inches when measured over the pattern on the larger (size 8) needles. Achieving this gauge is essential for proper fit and finished dimensions.

Pattern Overview

The Alum Cave Hat begins with 96 stitches cast on using the smaller circular needles, then joined to work in the round. The brim features a double rib pattern worked for 3 inches before transitioning to the larger needles and main pattern sections. The cable work and textured stitches create the distinctive design inspired by the winding mountain trail, with decreases shaping the crown toward completion.