Boreal

Boreal Knit Hat by Ekaterina Filippova-Blanchard

What is Being Made

Boreal is a downloadable knitting pattern for a fitted knit hat available in both child and adult sizes. The hat is designed to fit head circumferences of 20-21½ inches (51-55 cm) for children and 22-24 inches (56-61 cm) for adults. The finished hat measures 9 inches (23 cm) in height for the child size and 11 inches (28 cm) for the adult size, with a rolled brim circumference of 16½ inches (42 cm) for children and 19 inches (48 cm) for adults.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project is worked in the round over an even number of stitches, creating a seamless construction. The pattern incorporates a rolled brim detail and uses an alternating cable cast-on technique specifically adapted for 2x2 ribbed sections. The pattern includes a video tutorial reference to guide knitters through the alternating cable cast-on method, which requires working a standard 1x1 ribbed cast-on and then rearranging stitches on the first row to achieve the desired 2x2 rib structure.

Stitches Used

• Smoking Stitch: The primary decorative stitch used throughout the hat, worked in a four-row repeat pattern
• Smock Cluster: A four-stitch cluster element that appears alternately in the smoking stitch pattern
• Knit Stitch (k): Basic knit stitches used in the pattern repeats
• Purl Stitch (p): Purl stitches used to create texture and definition in the ribbed sections
• 2x2 Rib: A ribbed edge created using the alternating cable cast-on technique

Materials

This pattern calls for aran weight yarn, with yardage requirements of approximately 145 yards (135 meters) for the child size and 170 yards (155 meters) for the adult size. The pattern is worked using US needles appropriate for aran weight yarn in circular construction. The sample shown in the pattern was knitted using Worsted by Malabrigo Yarns in the colorway Simple Taupe (601).

Pattern Format

Boreal is provided as a downloadable PDF pattern document, making it convenient for digital access and printing. The pattern includes detailed stitch guides, finished measurements for both sizes, and instructional references including a linked video tutorial for the alternating cable cast-on technique.