Soar

Soar Beanie Hat by Fiona Hamilton-MacLaren

What is Being Made

Soar is a top-down knitted beanie hat designed by independent designer Fiona Hamilton-MacLaren. This pattern is specifically created as an intermediate beginner project, making it an ideal next step for knitters who have mastered the fundamentals and are ready to expand their skillset. The hat is worked in the round from the crown downward, a construction method that eliminates the need for seaming the sides while creating a seamless, professional finish. The pattern provides stitch counts for three adult sizes: small, medium, and large, allowing knitters to customize the fit.

Techniques and Construction Methods

The Soar beanie employs several essential knitting techniques that make it an excellent learning project. The pattern begins with the Emily Ocker circular cast on method, which creates a seamless foundation at the crown of the hat. Alternatively, knitters may use their preferred cast-on method, though this requires leaving a 15cm yarn tail for closing the gap at the top of the finished hat. The hat is worked in the round using either double-pointed needles or circular needles, both of which are suitable for this construction.

Increases are incorporated throughout the pattern to shape the hat as it expands from the crown. The pattern also features a surprisingly stretchy bind off, which provides the necessary elasticity for comfortable wear around the head. This finishing technique is particularly important for maintaining the hat's stretch and ensuring a secure edge that won't restrict the wearer.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k) – the fundamental stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl (p) – used in combination with knit stitches
• Knit front and back (kfb) – an increase method that creates new stitches
• Purl front and back (pfb) – a purl-based increase technique
• Knit through the back loop (ktbl) – a variation that twists the stitch for textural effect
• Stockinette stitch – the primary fabric created by alternating knit and purl rows in the round

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Soar pattern requires 50 grams of aran weight yarn, making it an efficient, quick-to-complete project. The pattern is shown in Patons Colour Works Aran, a readily available commercial yarn that demonstrates the finished design. Aran weight yarn is a medium-weight fiber that knits at a comfortable pace and creates a fabric with good structure and drape, ideal for a hat that needs to hold its shape.

Required needles are 5mm, available in either double-pointed needle sets or circular needle configurations. The gauge is 16 stitches and 24 rows over 10 centimeters in stockinette stitch, which is essential information for achieving the correct finished hat size and fit.

Additional Notions and Tools

• Stitch marker – essential for tracking the beginning of each round
• Tapestry needle – used for weaving in yarn ends and closing the crown gap if necessary

Skills Required

The Soar pattern is designed for knitters with foundational knowledge who are ready to develop their abilities. Required skills include basic cast-on techniques, knit and purl stitches, working increases to shape the fabric, executing a stretchy bind-off finish, and weaving in ends for a polished final product. The pattern includes links to instructional resources for each new or reinforced skill, supporting knitters through the learning process.