Tarma Stripy bobble hat

Tarma Stripy Bobble Hat by Fyberspates

What is Being Made

The Tarma Stripy Bobble Hat is a beginner-friendly knitted hat designed to fit head circumferences of 57cm (22.5in) for small adults and children ages 4 years and up, or 60cm (24in) for adult medium to large sizes. This striped hat features a classic bobble (pompom) on the crown and is worked seamlessly in the round, making it an ideal project for knitters looking to create a quick, finished accessory for cooler months with minimal finishing work required.

Techniques Used

The Tarma hat is constructed using circular knitting, a technique that allows the fabric to be worked continuously in rounds rather than flat rows, eliminating the need for seaming. The ribbed brim is worked using fisherman's rib, a textured stitch pattern that provides stretch and elasticity to help the hat conform to different head sizes. The designer notes that the fabric stretches considerably after washing and blocking, which is why the final blocked measurements differ from the intended head circumference. The hat is finished with a pompom maker to create the decorative bobble at the crown.

Stitches and Construction Details

• Fisherman's rib used for the brim section to create stretch and texture
• Stockinette stitch (st st) used for the main body of the hat
• Striped colorwork created by alternating between two yarn colors: Saffron and Sea Green
• Worked seamlessly in the round from the brim upward to the crown

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This project requires 2 skeins of Fyberspates Tarma Aran yarn: 1 skein in Saffron and 1 skein in Sea Green. The yarn is a 60% Peruvian fiber blend in an aran weight (also called heavy worsted), which is a medium-heavy yarn suitable for quick projects and warm garments.

Needles and Accessories

• 1 set of 4mm (UK 8/US 6) circular knitting needles, 40cm long for the ribbed brim
• 1 set of 4.5mm (UK 6/US 8) circular knitting needles, 40cm long for the main body
• 1 set of 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) double-pointed needles (DPNs) for working the small circumference at the crown
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Pompom maker for creating the bobble finish

Gauge and Finished Measurements

The pattern is worked to a tension of 17.5 stitches and 26 rows to 10cm (4 inches) over stockinette stitch using 4.5mm needles, measured after washing and blocking. The finished hat measures approximately 23cm (9.25in) from brim to crown. The blocked brim circumference is 48.75cm (19.25in) for the smaller size and 52.5cm (20.75in) for the larger size, though these measurements stretch to accommodate the intended head circumferences of 57cm and 60cm respectively.

Difficulty Level

Rated as a beginner project, the Tarma Stripy Bobble Hat is accessible to knitters new to circular knitting and in-the-round construction. The straightforward striped pattern and simple shaping make this an excellent introduction to seamless hat knitting.