Harriet's Tam

Harriet's Tam by Meg Roke

What is Being Made

Harriet's Tam is a women's knitted hat designed by Meg Roke. This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for creating a classic tam-style hat available in two sizes: women's small-medium with a 19" circumference and women's large/x-large with a 21" circumference. The finished hat can stretch up to 2" beyond its stated measurements, offering flexibility in fit. This beginner-level knitting project is suitable for those new to hat construction and circular knitting techniques.

Techniques Used

Harriet's Tam employs fundamental circular knitting techniques appropriate for beginner knitters. The pattern utilizes both small and large circular needles to manage the transition from the hat's body to the crown shaping. The construction involves working in the round, which creates a seamless garment. The pattern includes decreasing techniques to shape the crown of the tam, gradually reducing stitches as the knitter progresses toward the top of the hat. Standard abbreviations such as cast on, bind off, and continue are used throughout the pattern instructions.

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates two primary stitch patterns:

• Stockinette stitch — used for the main body of the hat, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Garter stitch — used in sections of the pattern, providing a textured, reversible fabric

These fundamental stitches make the pattern accessible to beginner knitters while creating visual interest and structure in the finished tam.

Materials

Yarn: The pattern calls for Felted Tweed DK by Rowan, a premium yarn blend containing 50% merino wool, 25% rayon, and 25% alpaca. One skein in the colorway Paisley is required for either size. The yarn provides 191 yards per 50 grams. Alternatively, approximately 170 yards for the small-medium size or 190 yards for the large/x-large size of any sport weight yarn can be substituted.

Needles: The pattern requires multiple needle sizes to accommodate gauge changes and crown shaping. A 16" circular needle in US 2 [2.75 mm] is used for the initial cast-on and ribbed sections. A 24" circular needle in US 4 [3.5 mm] is used for the main body of the hat. Four double-pointed needles in US 4 [3.5 mm] are used for the crown decreases when stitches become too few for the circular needle.

Additional Notions: The pattern requires scissors, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and six stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping points.

Gauge

Achieving correct gauge is essential for proper fit. The pattern specifies 23 stitches and 33 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US 4 needles, and 24 stitches and 46 rows over 4 inches in garter stitch on US 2 needles. Knitters should swatch before beginning to ensure their tension matches these specifications.