Zephyr (DE) in Rowan - Downloadable PDF

Zephyr Hat by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Zephyr is an intermediate-level knitted hat designed by Lisa Richardson for Rowan. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a classic hat suitable for various skill levels beyond complete beginners. The design is available in both a two-color version and a single-color version, offering flexibility in yarn selection and visual presentation.

Knitting Techniques

The Zephyr hat employs fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate crafters. The construction uses top-down crown shaping, a common approach for hat knitting that begins at the crown and works downward toward the brim. The pattern incorporates decreasing techniques to shape the crown, progressively reducing stitch counts across multiple rounds to create the characteristic tapered top of a hat.

The hat is worked in the round using circular needles, which allows for seamless construction and even fabric development. The decreases are strategically placed throughout the crown section, with decreasing rounds alternating with plain knit rounds to control the shaping progression.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (re): The primary stitch throughout the pattern, creating a smooth stockinette fabric
• Knit two together decrease (2 M re zus-str): Used repeatedly in the crown shaping section to reduce stitch counts and form the hat's tapered crown

Materials and Yarn Weight

The Zephyr is designed to be worked in chunky weight yarn, which creates a quick-knitting, warm, and substantial hat. For the two-color version, the pattern calls for Rowan Tweed Haze in A Storm 555 (1 x 50g) as the main color and B Setting Sun 555 (1 x 50g) exclusively for the pom-pom accent. The single-color version uses only Rowan Tweed Haze in Rainy 552 (1 x 50g), as shown in the pattern photography.

The pattern specifies size 6 needles in a set of four double-pointed needles (Nadelspiel) for working the hat in the round. The hat is finished with one Rowan faux fur pom-pom, adding a contemporary textured element to the crown.

Pattern Structure

The crown shaping section demonstrates a systematic decrease sequence, beginning with larger stitch counts and progressively reducing through multiple decrease rounds. Each decrease round follows a consistent pattern of knit stitches interspersed with knit-two-together decreases, with plain knit rounds worked between decrease rounds to maintain fabric integrity and control the shaping pace.