Late Bloom

Late Bloom Knit Hat by Melissa LaBarre

What Is Being Made

Late Bloom is a downloadable knitting pattern for a hat designed by independent designer Melissa LaBarre. This intermediate-level project creates a finished hat using DK weight yarn, combining classic knit construction with decorative lace detailing. The pattern is suitable for knitters with some experience who are ready to work with lace motifs and multiple needle sizes.

Knitting Techniques Used

This hat pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques. The project begins with a long-tail cast-on method to establish the foundation stitches. Knitters will work in the round using circular needles, a technique that creates seamless tubular fabric ideal for hat construction. The pattern incorporates reverse stockinette stitch as the primary fabric base, which creates a distinctive textured appearance with bumps on the public-facing side. Lace patterning is integrated throughout the design, requiring knitters to work yarn overs and decreases in coordinated sequences to create openwork motifs characteristic of lace knitting. The hat is worked from the bottom up in a traditional top-down construction method, with ribbed edging at the cast-on edge.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Late Bloom pattern uses several key stitches and stitch combinations:

• Knit and purl stitches (k1, p1 rib): The pattern begins with six rounds of alternating knit and purl stitches in a 1x1 ribbed pattern. This elastic ribbing at the hat's lower edge provides stretch and helps the hat conform to the wearer's head.
• Reverse stockinette stitch: After the ribbed cuff, the main fabric is worked in reverse stockinette, where purl stitches face outward, creating a soft, textured surface that contrasts beautifully with lace elements.
• Lace pattern: The design incorporates a lace pattern worked in combination with the reverse stockinette base. Lace knitting involves strategic yarn overs (which create deliberate holes) paired with corresponding decreases to maintain stitch count while forming openwork designs.

Materials: Yarn, Needles, and Notions

Yarn: The pattern calls for Madelinetosh tosh DK weight yarn, with one skein required (225 yards per skein). The photographed sample is shown in the colorway "norway spruce." Knitters have the flexibility to substitute other DK or light worsted weight yarns if desired, allowing for personal color preferences and yarn availability.

Needles: This project requires multiple needle sizes to accommodate different stitch patterns and fabric requirements. Knitters will need one US 6 (4mm) 16-inch circular needle for the ribbed cuff section, and one US 7 (4.5mm) 16-inch circular needle for the main hat body. Additionally, one set of US 7 (4.5mm) double-pointed needles (dpns) is needed for any sections worked at a smaller circumference, such as crown shaping.

Notions and Accessories: The pattern requires two stitch markers in one color or style (designated as lace markers for tracking pattern repeats), plus one additional stitch marker in a contrasting color or style to mark the beginning of each round. A blunt needle for weaving in yarn ends completes the notions list.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches when measured in reverse stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for hat sizing and fit. The cast-on produces 88 total stitches distributed across the pattern sections, with stitch markers placed at 36 stitches, then 17 stitches, then 35 stitches to help organize the lace pattern repeats.

Pattern Overview and Construction

The Late Bloom hat is constructed in the round beginning with a long-tail cast-on of 88 stitches divided into marked sections. After joining in the round and working six rounds of k1, p1 ribbing with the smaller needles, knitters switch to the larger needle size and begin the main fabric. The reverse stockinette stitch combined with the lace pattern creates visual interest and texture throughout the hat body. The use of multiple stitch markers helps knitters track where the lace pattern repeats occur and where the beginning of each round falls, reducing errors in this intermediate-level design.

Pattern by Melissa LaBarre, copyright 2013, available for personal use only through knittingschooldropout.com.