Under the Tree Tops Hat

Under the Tree Tops Hat by Charlotte McHale

What Is Being Made

The Under the Tree Tops Hat is a beginner-friendly knitted hat designed by Charlotte McHale. This project creates a cozy, fitted hat available in six different sizes, ranging from newborn through adult large. The hat features a classic construction with a crown that tapers to a finished point, making it suitable for babies, toddlers, children, teens, and adults.

Sizing Options

The pattern provides six size options, each sized approximately 5cm (2 inches) smaller than the wearer's actual head circumference to ensure a snug, comfortable fit:

• Newborn: 30cm (11¾") circumference, 13cm (5⅛") height
• Baby: 35cm (13¾") circumference, 15cm (5⅞") height
• Toddler: 40cm (15¾") circumference, 17cm (6¾") height
• Child/Teen: 45cm (17¾") circumference, 19cm (7½") height
• Adult Medium: 50cm (19¾") circumference, 21cm (8¼") height
• Adult Large: 55cm (21⅝") circumference, 23cm (9") height

Knitting Techniques Used

This beginner-level project employs fundamental knitting techniques that make it an excellent introduction to hat construction. The pattern uses circular or double-pointed needles to work in the round, which is the standard method for creating seamless hats. Knitters will practice basic increases and decreases to shape the crown, and the pattern includes cable work for visual interest and texture.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The Under the Tree Tops Hat utilizes several core stitches and techniques:

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch): The primary stitch used throughout the hat, creating a smooth, classic fabric with a V-pattern on the knit side
• Knit stitch (K): Basic knit stitches form the foundation of the stocking stitch pattern
• Purl stitch (P): Used in combination with knit stitches to create stocking stitch when working flat or to add textural variation
• Knit 2 together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease used to shape the crown and taper the hat to its point
• Cable stitch (2LC): A left cable created by slipping 2 stitches to a cable needle, holding it in front of the work, knitting 2 stitches, then knitting the 2 stitches from the cable needle. This creates the decorative twisted texture referenced in the hat's name

Materials Required

This chunky-weight yarn project requires minimal materials, making it quick to complete and ideal for beginners:

• Yarn: Approximately 40 to 110 meters of chunky weight yarn (yardage varies depending on size selected)
• Needles: 5mm (UK 6 / US 8) double-pointed needles or circular needles for the main fabric
• Needles: 4.5mm (UK 7 / US 7) double-pointed needles or circular needles for ribbing or shaping
• Additional notions: Cable needle (dpn) for working cable stitches, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, and an under stitch marker for joining rounds

Tension and Gauge

Proper tension is essential for achieving the correct finished size. The pattern specifies that 16 stitches and 22 rows of stocking stitch should measure 10cm (4 inches) square. Knitters should swatch before beginning the project and adjust needle sizes as needed: use smaller needles if the swatch measures larger than 10cm, or larger needles if it measures smaller. This gauge is worked using the 5mm needles with chunky weight yarn.

Pattern Structure

The hat is constructed using double-pointed or circular needles to work in continuous rounds, eliminating the need for seaming. The pattern includes abbreviations for common knitting terms