Spotted Around Hat

Spotted Around Hat by Stana D. Sortor

What Is Being Made

The Spotted Around Hat, also known as the Leopard Hat, is a knitted beanie-style hat featuring a distinctive leopard spot pattern. This downloadable knitting pattern is available in three sizes: small (approximately 16" / 41 cm circumference), medium (approximately 18" / 46 cm circumference), and large (approximately 20" / 51 cm circumference). The finished hat length ranges from approximately 8.5" (21.5 cm) for the small size to 10.5" (26.5 cm) for the large size, making it a versatile accessory suitable for various head sizes and personal style preferences.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This intermediate-level knitting project uses the in-the-round construction method, which creates a seamless, tubular fabric ideal for hat making. The pattern employs stranded colorwork techniques to create the leopard spot design, incorporating two contrasting yarn colors throughout the piece. The hat is worked from the bottom up, beginning with a ribbed brim and progressing through the patterned body sections. Wet blocking is recommended after completion to achieve proper gauge and shape definition.

Stitches Used

• 1 x 1 Rib – Used for the brim to create an elastic, fitted edge that helps the hat stay securely in place
• Knit stitch – The primary stitch used throughout the main fabric
• Purl stitch – Incorporated as needed within the pattern structure
• Leopard pattern – A two-color stranded colorwork pattern that creates the distinctive spotted design characteristic of this hat

Yarn and Needle Specifications

The pattern recommends Cascade 220 Superwash yarn, a 100% superwash wool yarn with 220 yards (200 meters) per 100-gram skein. Two colors are required: one skein each of #876 Sandalwood (main color) and #872 Bitter Chocolate (contrast color). The yarn weight is suitable for DK and worsted weight applications.

Needles required include US size 7 (4.5 mm) needles for the main fabric and US size 6 (4 mm) needles for the ribbed brim. Both sizes are available as sets of 5 double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needles, depending on knitter preference. The pattern specifies that needle size should be adjusted to obtain the correct gauge of 20 stitches and 23 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) in the Leopard pattern after wet blocking.

Additional Materials and Notions

• Tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and seaming (if necessary)
• Stitch marker to track pattern repeats and round beginnings

This intermediate-level pattern is ideal for knitters with experience in basic techniques who are ready to explore colorwork and in-the-round construction. The downloadable PDF format allows for convenient access and printing for reference during the knitting process.