What you'll need
| Size: | small | medium | large |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hat circumference, in: | 16 | 18 | 20 |
Cascade Yarns 220
Westpoint Blue Heather (9325)
|
1 | 1 | 1 |
Drops Merino Extra Fine - grey
|
1 | 1 | 2 |
Product Description
The Shard is a massive building next to the London Bridge train station, and is something of an incongruity next to the historic architecture of Southwark Cathedral and King's College. This easy, quick-to-knit hat uses knit and purl stitches to mimic the enormous sheets of glass forming the walls of the building. Decreases hidden within the stockinette sections taper the glass panes towards the crown, forming a hat that is equally suited for men or women. Different sizes are generated by using different yarn weight/needle combinations, so the gauge is given as a range. The stitch pattern is presented in both written and charted forms.
Skills needed: casting on, knitting, purling, working in the round, decreasing. Gauge: 22 sts/32 rows (20 sts/28 rows, 18 sts/24 rows) over 4 in/10 cm in stockinette.
The Shard Hat by Rachel C. Brown
Design Overview
The Shard Hat is an intermediate-level knitted hat inspired by The Shard, the iconic glass building located next to London Bridge Tube station in London. This design translates architectural elements into wearable knitwear, featuring purl columns that rise from staggered ribbing at the base, creating a visual effect that mirrors the enormous glass sheets forming the building's distinctive walls. The hat is designed to suit both men and women equally, making it a versatile unisex accessory.
What Is Being Made
A knitted beanie-style hat available in three sizes: small (approximately 16 inches in circumference unstretched), medium (approximately 18 inches), and large (approximately 20 inches). The hat features architectural detailing inspired by modern glass architecture, combining ribbed and stockinette sections to create visual depth and structure.
Techniques Used
- Knitting in the round, allowing for seamless construction
- Strategic decreasing techniques hidden within stockinette sections to taper the crown
- Staggered ribbing at the base for elastic stretch and secure fit
- Purl ridge work to create horizontal lines mimicking glass panels
Stitches Used
- Knit stitch – forms the stockinette sections representing glass panes
- Purl stitch – creates raised columns and horizontal ridges for textural detail
- Ribbing – staggered at the base for elasticity and structure
- Decreases – integrated into stockinette areas to shape the crown taper
Materials
This pattern calls for aran weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn that provides good stitch definition for both the purl columns and stockinette sections. The pattern is worked on needles suitable for aran yarn, with instructions provided for knitting in the round. Exact yardage and specific needle sizes are detailed within the downloadable PDF pattern.
Pattern Format
Directions are provided in both written and charted forms, allowing knitters to follow their preferred method. This dual-format approach makes the pattern accessible to knitters who work best with written instructions as well as those who prefer visual stitch charts.
Skill Level
Rated as intermediate difficulty, The Shard Hat requires foundational knitting skills including knitting and purling, proficiency with knitting in the round, and competence with decreasing techniques. The combination of textured stitchwork and crown shaping makes this an ideal project for knitters looking to build beyond beginner skills.
Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Aran |
| Featured Products: | Cascade Yarns 220 |
| Pages: | 5 |
| Designer: | Rachel Brown |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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