La Fraise

La Fraise Knit Hat by Melissa Schaschwary

What Is Being Made

La Fraise is a knitted hat designed by Melissa Schaschwary, available in three sizes to fit head circumferences of 20 inches (51 cm), 22 inches (56 cm), and 24 inches (61 cm). This intermediate-level knitting project creates a finished hat suitable for various head sizes, making it an adaptable design for different wearers.

Craft and Primary Technique

This project uses knitting as its primary construction method. The hat is worked in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles, a common technique for creating seamless, tubular garments. Working in the round eliminates the need for seaming and creates a continuous fabric from the cast-on edge through the crown.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches and shaping techniques appropriate for an intermediate skill level:

• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches form the basic fabric structure
• Yarn over (yo) creates decorative eyelet or lace elements
• Make one (m1) increases, worked by inserting the left-hand needle from front to back under the strand of yarn running between stitches and knitting through the back loop, allowing for invisible shaping
• Purl two together (p2tog) decreases for crown shaping
• I-Cord finishing technique, which can be referenced through external video resources for detailed instruction

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires multiple needle sizes to achieve proper gauge and construction:

• Size 3/4.5mm circular knitting needles, 16 inches long, for the ribbed cuff or initial cast-on
• Size 5/3.75mm circular knitting needles, 16 inches long, for the main body worked in stockinette stitch
• Size 5/3.75mm double-pointed needles (dpns), set of 4, for working the crown decreases when stitches become too few for circular needles
• Stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping points
• Tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends

Yarn and Materials

The recommended yarn is Bello by The Plucky Knitter, a fingering-weight / 4 ply yarn. One skein provides 380 yards (347 meters) and weighs 105 grams (3.70 ounces), which is sufficient to complete the hat. The pattern sample is shown in the Bordeaux color. Fingering-weight yarn creates a refined, lightweight fabric ideal for hats that require drape and comfort against the head.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) of stockinette stitch using size 5/3.75mm needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the hat to fit correctly; knitters may need to adjust needle size up or down to match this gauge if their individual tension differs.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern assumes knitters are comfortable with circular needle techniques, working in the round, basic increases and decreases, and following stitch abbreviations. The combination of gauge work, multiple needle sizes, and shaping techniques makes it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond absolute beginner level.