Xacobeo Hat

Xacobeo Hat by Estrella Hernandez

What is Being Made

The Xacobeo Hat is an intermediate-level knitted hat designed by Estrella Hernandez. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a fitted, elegant hat with a finished circumference range of 17 to 22 inches and a height of 11 inches, making it suitable for a range of head sizes. The hat is worked in the round using circular needles, creating a seamless construction that is both practical and aesthetically refined.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques that add visual interest and structure to the finished garment. The hat begins with a seeded ribbing pattern worked over the lower portion, which provides elasticity and a textured base. The designer then transitions to a decorative Gothic Arches pattern, which features lace elements created through yarn overs and strategic decreases. The pattern includes increases worked using the kfb (knit front and back) technique to shape the crown area. Decreases are accomplished using sl1-k1-psso (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over) and k2tog (knit two together) methods, as well as k3tog (knit three together) for more pronounced shaping in the lace pattern.

Stitches Used

• Seeded Ribbing Pattern: A textured stitch combination alternating knit and purl stitches in a specific sequence that creates visual texture and provides stretch. The pattern is worked over two rounds and repeated seven times for a total of 14 rounds.
• Gothic Arches Pattern: A lace pattern featuring yarn overs (yo) paired with decreases to create an openwork arch motif. The pattern is worked over seven rounds and includes variations where stitches are worked as they appear on even-numbered rounds.
• Increases: The kfb (knit front and back) technique is used eight times to increase from 69 stitches to 77 stitches before beginning the Gothic Arches pattern.
• Decreases: Multiple decrease methods including sl1-k1-psso, k2tog, and k3tog create the shaping and lace elements throughout the pattern.

Materials and Gauge

The Xacobeo Hat is designed to be worked with Malabrigo Mecha yarn, with the sample shown in the colorway Borrajas. The pattern requires one skein of this yarn. Two sizes of US circular needles are used: US 8 (5mm) needles for the ribbed cuff section and US 10 (6mm) needles for the lace pattern section. The needle size change creates subtle shaping and allows the lace pattern to open up appropriately. Additional supplies include one stitch marker and one yarn needle for weaving in ends. The gauge is established at 15 stitches and 4 inches in the seeded ribbing pattern when worked with US 8 (5mm) needles after blocking, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.