Radio Frequency Hat

Radio Frequency Hat by Mandy Spoth

What Is Being Made

The Radio Frequency Hat is an advanced knitting pattern that creates a floppy, relaxed-fitting hat with visual interest through colorwork and textural elements. The design features two decorative braids that frame the border of the hat, paired with a simple colorwork repeat throughout the body. A pompom addition at the crown enhances the playful, slouchy silhouette achieved through slow decreases.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate to advanced knitting techniques. Colorwork is central to the design, with a 26-stitch repeat worked across five repeats per round using a charted pattern. Braid stitches are used to create the decorative border elements, appearing both at the beginning and end of the hat body. The pattern utilizes long tail cast-on to begin construction, circular knitting in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles (DPNs), and slow decreases at the crown to create the characteristic floppy shape. The addition of a pompom finish adds dimension to the crown.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure is stockinette stitch (St st), which forms the base fabric. Braid stitches are featured as special stitches that create the textural border detail. The pattern includes a charted colorwork section worked over 21 rounds, integrating two colors throughout the hat body while maintaining the stockinette base.

Materials

This pattern calls for Lanaloft Sports Weight yarn from Brown Sheep Co., a 100% wool yarn available in 145-yard (133-meter) skeins weighing 50 grams (1.75 ounces). Two colors are required: Color A in LL33 Manor Gray and Color B in LL03 Black Bear. Yardage requirements vary by size: one ball of each color is needed for smaller sizes, though the medium size requires 2 balls of Color A if a pompom is being added. Needles required include a US 3, 4, or 5 circular needle (3.25, 3.5, or 3.75mm) in 16-inch length and a matching set of double-pointed needles for crown decreases.