Verse Hat

Verse Hat by Kelly Menzies

What is Being Made

The Verse Hat is a knitted hat designed by Kelly Menzies, featuring a finished circumference of 51 cm (20 inches) and a height of 22 cm (8.5 inches). This intermediate-level knitting project creates a classic, wearable hat suitable for everyday wear.

Craft and Construction Method

This design is created using the knitting craft, worked in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles. The hat is constructed with a seamless, circular construction method, which is a traditional approach for hat knitting that eliminates the need for seaming and creates an even, professional finish.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The Verse Hat employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches and techniques:

• Knit (K) – the basic knit stitch forming the primary fabric
• Purl (P) – used to create texture and pattern variation
• Yarn Over (YO) – creates decorative eyelet holes and lace elements
• Knit Two Together (K2TOG) – a right-leaning decrease used for shaping
• Purl Two Together (P2TOG) – a decrease worked on purl stitches
• Purl Two Together Through Back Loop (P2TOG TBL) – a left-leaning decrease variation
• Slip One Stitch Purlwise (SL1) – used in conjunction with pass slipped stitch over
• Pass Slipped Stitch Over (PSSO) – creates a left-leaning decrease

The pattern is worked using a pattern stitch throughout, creating textured or decorative elements beyond basic stockinette stitch.

Materials Required

The Verse Hat requires 226 meters (248 yards) of Aran weight yarn. The sample shown was knitted in West Yorkshire Spinners Blue Faced Leicester, Aran weight, in the shade Burnt Orange, using 2 balls of yarn.

Needles required include 4.5mm (US Size 7) circular needles and 4.5mm (US Size 7) double-pointed needles. Additional notions include 1 stitch marker, a yarn needle for weaving in ends, and an optional row counter for tracking progress.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 19 stitches by 25 rows over a 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inch) swatch in the pattern stitch using 4.5mm needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the proper finished hat dimensions.

Pattern Format and Publication

The Verse Hat pattern is provided in written format with clear abbreviations and instructions. The design was originally published in Let's Knit! Magazine in October 2014. Photography and design are credited to Kelly Menzies, with artwork by Caroline Bond.