Calla hat

Calla Hat by Rachel Gibbs

What is Being Made

The Calla Hat is a knitted hat designed by Rachel Gibbs, available in two sizes to fit 22"/55cm and 24"/60cm head circumferences. This is an advanced-level knitting project that combines colorwork and shaping techniques to create a finished hat suitable for a range of head sizes.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate to advanced knitting techniques. The hat is constructed using circular knitting, worked in the round from the cast-on edge upward. The pattern incorporates colorwork, utilizing two contrasting yarn colors (C1 and C2) to create visual interest. Decreasing is used to shape the crown of the hat, with techniques including k2tog (knit two together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) decreases to achieve a fitted top. The pattern also uses a ribbed cuff worked in a knit-purl combination for stretch and structure at the brim.

Stitches Used

The Calla Hat uses fundamental knitting stitches worked in various combinations:

• Knit stitch (k) – the primary stitch used throughout the fabric
• Purl stitch (p) – used in the ribbed cuff section in a knit-purl alternating pattern
• Knit two together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease used for crown shaping
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) – a left-leaning decrease created by slipping one stitch knitwise, slipping another stitch knitwise, then knitting the two slipped stitches together through the back loop
• Stocking stitch – the main fabric structure, created by alternating knit and purl rows when working flat, or knitting every round when working in the round

Materials and Gauge

The Calla Hat is worked in DK weight yarn. The pattern calls for two colors of Sirdar Balmoral: C1 in the Highlander colorway (0486) and C2 in the Glamis colorway (0470). Each color requires 135 yards/123 meters per 1.75 ounces/50 grams.

The pattern requires 3.25mm/US3 and 4mm/US6 circular needles, both in 16"/40cm lengths. For working small circumferences in the round during crown decreases, knitters may use one long 4mm circular needle, two short 4mm circular needles, or double-pointed needles (DPNs). Additional notions include 8 stitch markers and a yarn needle for weaving in ends.

The gauge is 23 stitches and 27 rows to 4"/10cm in stocking stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished hat size. The pattern begins with a cast-on of 112 stitches for the smaller size or 128 stitches for the larger size, using the Double Start Cast On method with 3.25mm needles. After working the ribbed cuff for 1"/2.5cm, knitters switch to 4mm needles and begin the Body Chart, which introduces the colorwork and shaping elements that define this advanced design.