Ridgetop Hat

Ridgetop Hat by Jennifer Myrick

What Is Being Made

The Ridgetop Hat is an advanced-level knitted hat designed by Jennifer Myrick. This adult-sized hat features a finished circumference of 18 ½ inches (47 cm) and stands 9 ½ inches (24 cm) tall, making it suitable for heads up to 23 inches (58 cm). The design incorporates a two-color colorwork scheme using a main color and contrasting color yarn, creating visual interest through strategic color placement throughout the crown and body of the hat.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several advanced knitting techniques that contribute to its advanced difficulty rating. The primary construction method involves brioche knitting, a specialized technique that creates a distinctive textured appearance with exceptional elasticity and depth. Brioche knitting requires slipping stitches strategically and working them in subsequent rows, which demands careful attention and understanding of yarn manipulation.

The hat is worked in the round using circular needles or double-pointed needles, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a seamless, professional finish. The pattern begins with a stretchy cast-on method—specifically the German twisted cast-on or another stretchy variation of the crafter's choice—to ensure the hat edge maintains elasticity and comfort against the wearer's head.

Two-color knitting is incorporated into the design, requiring the knitter to manage both main color (MC) and contrast color (CC) yarns simultaneously while maintaining consistent tension and clean color transitions.

Stitches Used

• Brioche Knit (brK): The foundation stitch of this pattern, created by knitting the stitch that was slipped in the previous row along with its yarn over, producing a characteristic brioche texture
• Brioche Purl (brP): The complementary brioche stitch that creates the reverse brioche texture
• Slipped stitches: Used strategically throughout to set up brioche stitches in subsequent rounds
• Color changes: Managed through carrying and switching between main color and contrast color yarns

Materials

Yarn: The pattern calls for two different yarn brands and weights to create the two-color effect. The main color uses Malabrigo Yarn RIOS in colorway #413 Ankara Green (100g/210 yards, 100% Pure Merino Superwash), requiring 1 skein. The contrast color uses Universal Yarns DELUXE WORSTED SUPERWASH in colorway #728 Pulp (100g/218 yards, 100% Superwash Wool), also requiring 1 skein. The sample shown used approximately 40 grams (84 yards) of each color. Both yarns are superwash merino wool, providing durability, softness, and easy care.

Needles: Size US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles and/or double-pointed needles are required. The circular needles are ideal for working the hat in the round without interruption, while double-pointed needles offer an alternative for the crown decreases.

Additional Notions: A stitch marker is essential for marking the beginning of each round, a tape measure for checking gauge and finished measurements, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends after completion.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 18 stitches and 22 rounds over 4 inches (10 cm) when measured over the main brioche pattern. Achieving proper gauge is critical for this advanced project, as brioche knitting's elasticity can be affected by tension variations. The pattern begins with a cast-on of 80 stitches worked in the main color.