Rustic Hat

Rustic Hat by Kelly Menzies

What is Being Made

The Rustic Hat is a knitted beanie-style hat designed by Kelly Menzies, featuring a classic silhouette with a decorative pompom accent. This intermediate-level knitting project produces a finished hat with a circumference of 50 centimeters (19.75 inches) and a height of 28 centimeters (11 inches), making it a versatile everyday accessory suitable for various head sizes and seasons.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate crafters. The construction utilizes circular knitting worked in the round using circular needles, which creates seamless fabric and allows for continuous stitch work. The pattern incorporates increases using the KFB (knit into front and back) technique to shape the crown of the hat. Decreases are worked using K2TOG (knit two stitches together) and SSK (slip, slip, knit) methods to taper the top. The hat is finished with a pompom attachment, adding a traditional rustic charm to the completed design.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Stocking Stitch (Stockinette Stitch): The primary stitch pattern throughout the hat, created by alternating knit and purl rows when working flat, or knitting every round when working in the round. This creates a smooth, classic fabric with a distinctive V-pattern appearance on the right side.
• Yarn Overs (YO): Used for decorative or structural shaping within the pattern.
• Knit and Purl Stitches: The foundational stitches that form the basis of the entire hat construction.

Materials and Gauge Information

The Rustic Hat requires 220 meters (240 yards) of yarn total, worked in DK (double knit) weight yarn. The pattern is demonstrated in Stylecraft Alpaca DK, using 1 x 100g ball in the main color (MC) shade 6014, Storm, and 1 x 100g ball in the contrasting color (CC) shade 6016, Cinnamon, allowing for a two-tone colorwork design.

Gauge: 22 stitches by 30 rows over a 10 x 10 centimeter (4 x 4 inch) swatch, measured in stocking stitch using 4mm (US 6) needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished dimensions.

Needles and Notions

• Circular Needles 3.5mm (US 4) – used for ribbed cuff or initial cast-on sections
• Circular Needles 4mm (US 6) – primary needles for main hat body
• Double Pointed Needles 4mm (US 6) – used for crown shaping and final stitches when the circumference becomes too small for circular needles
• 1 Stitch Marker – for marking the beginning of rounds and tracking pattern repeats
• Yarn Needle – for weaving in ends and attaching the pompom
• Row Counter (optional) – helpful for tracking progress through pattern rows

Pattern Format and Publication Details

The Rustic Hat pattern is provided in written format as a downloadable PDF, making it accessible for digital reference during knitting. The pattern was originally published in January 2016 and features photography by Kelly Menzies, with artwork by Caroline Bond. The instructions include a comprehensive abbreviations key and stitch definitions to support knitters working through the project.