Surrey hat

Surrey Hat by Corrina Ferguson

What is Being Made

The Surrey Hat is a warm, elegant knitted hat designed by Corrina Ferguson for picnicknits.com. This intermediate-level project creates a cozy headwear piece featuring a distinctive construction that combines multiple stitch patterns for both visual interest and warmth. The hat is worked in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles, making it an ideal project for knitters comfortable with seamless construction techniques.

Yarn and Materials

This hat requires approximately 215 yards of worsted weight yarn. The sample shown was crafted using Malabrigo Merino Worsted in a natural colorway, which provides the softness and warmth characteristic of this design. Knitters should note that the medium/large size uses nearly all of one skein with minimal leftover yarn (less than 10 yards), making gauge accuracy important for successful completion. The pattern accommodates different yarn weights within the worsted and aran categories.

Needles and Tools

Construction requires Size 8 (5 mm) 16-inch circular needles for the main body and Size 8 (5 mm) double-pointed needles for crown shaping. Additional tools include one removable stitch marker, a cable needle for working cable stitches, and a tapestry needle for finishing.

Techniques and Stitches Used

The Surrey Hat showcases several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques working together in a cohesive design:

• Cable Stitches: The hat begins with a cabled cuff that flips upward, creating a textured ribbed edge that provides structure and visual definition
• Stockinette Stitch: A short section of smooth stockinette stitch follows the cable cuff, providing contrast and transition between pattern sections
• Honeycomb Pattern: The primary stitch pattern is a warm and pretty honeycomb design that begins above the stockinette section and continues up to the crown, creating dimensional texture throughout the body of the hat
• Increases and Decreases: The pattern employs standard increase methods including kfb (knit into the front and back) and decrease methods such as k2tog (knit 2 stitches together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) for shaping
• Circular Knitting: The hat is worked seamlessly in the round using the magic loop or small circular needle technique, eliminating the need for seaming
• Crown Shaping: Strategic decreases shape the crown to a finished point, transitioning from circular needles to double-pointed needles as the stitch count decreases

Pattern Difficulty and Gauge Considerations

This project is rated at intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with cables and textured stitch patterns. Gauge accuracy is particularly important for this design—the pattern was worked at 7 rows per inch. Knitters whose row gauge differs significantly from this specification may need to adjust yarn yardage expectations, particularly when working the medium/large size.

Construction Overview

The Surrey Hat employs a logical construction sequence that builds visual interest through stitch pattern progression. The flipable cabled cuff provides both warmth and a polished finish, while the transition through stockinette into the honeycomb pattern creates a sophisticated garment that works as well for everyday wear as for special occasions. The seamless construction and use of worsted weight yarn make this an efficient project that can be completed relatively quickly despite its textured stitch work.