Acadia Cap

Acadia Cap by Cheryl Andrews

What is Being Made

The Acadia Cap is an advanced-level knitted hat available in six sizes ranging from child small through adult extra large. This design features a distinctive decorative braid integrated into the band, a warm double-layer head band for extra insulation, and spiral shaping that creates visual interest on the crown. The cap is designed to fit snugly and stretches approximately 1.5 to 2 inches when worn, making it important to knit the hat 1.5 to 2 inches smaller than the wearer's actual head circumference. The finished head band circumference ranges from 18 inches for child small to 22 inches for adult extra large, with corresponding heights from 6.5 inches to 8.25 inches.

Design Inspiration and Construction Details

Designer Cheryl Andrews drew inspiration for this hat from the thick rope found on the deck of the Princess of Acadia, a ship that travels regularly from St. John, New Brunswick to Digby, Nova Scotia. This nautical influence is reflected in the woven braid pattern that adorns the band. A key construction feature of the Acadia Cap is that the braid is knitted as an integral part of the hat itself, eliminating the need to pick up stitches from a turned edge—a technique that simplifies the knitting process while maintaining a polished, finished appearance.

Techniques Used

• Spiral shaping on the crown for dimensional design
• Integrated decorative braid knitted directly into the band without turning or picking up stitches
• Double-layer construction on the head band for warmth and durability
• Sizing adjustments across six different sizes with proportional increases in yardage and dimensions

Stitches and Stitch Work

While specific stitch names are not detailed in the pattern summary, the design incorporates woven braid stitchwork that creates a rope-like texture reminiscent of nautical cordage. The spiral shaping on the crown suggests the use of decreases strategically placed to create the three-dimensional effect, and the double-layer head band likely employs ribbing or similar elastic stitches to provide stretch and recovery for a snug, comfortable fit.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Acadia Cap is knitted using worsted weight wool yarn. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from approximately 136 yards for child small to 203 yards for adult extra large. The pattern calls for two colors: the main color comprises a little more than half of the total yardage, while the contrast color comprises a little less than half. The designer's samples were knitted in Cascade 220 Heathers (100% wool, 220 yards per 100 grams) and I Love this Wool Naturals (220 yards per 113 grams), both of which are 100% wool options suitable for this project. Standard knitting needles appropriate for worsted weight yarn are required, though specific needle sizes are not included in this summary.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as advanced, reflecting the complexity of integrating the decorative braid into the band without traditional stitch pickup, managing the spiral shaping on the crown, and working across multiple sizes with precise shaping throughout.