Hennepin Hat in Blue Sky Fibers Techno - 201714 - Downloadable PDF

Hennepin Hat Knitting Pattern by Nancy Ekvall in Blue Sky Fibers Techno

The Hennepin Hat is a free, downloadable knitting pattern designed by Nancy Ekvall and published by Blue Sky Fibers. This cozy, lightweight hat is knitted in the round and finished with a distinctive three-needle bind off, giving it a modern, trendy silhouette that works beautifully on both adults and children. The pattern is rated Advanced Beginner, making it an excellent next step for knitters who have mastered basic circular knitting and are ready to explore a new finishing technique.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a single-size knitted hat with a finished circumference of 18 inches and a height of 8 inches. The design is described as light and airy, and it is available in many rich colorways. The colorway shown in the pattern is No. 1985 Mellow. The hat's clean, simple structure makes it a versatile accessory suitable for a wide range of wearers.

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: Blue Sky Fibers Techno — a luxurious chunky-weight yarn composed of 68% baby alpaca, 22% silk, and 10% extra fine merino wool, sold in 50g/120-yard hanks. Only 1 hank is required for this project.
• Needles: Size 10 (6mm) 16-inch circular needle, or the size needed to achieve gauge, plus a Size 10 (6mm) double pointed needle used specifically for the three-needle bind off.
• Notions: A tapestry needle for finishing.

The fiber content of Techno is what makes this hat truly special. Baby alpaca contributes an incredibly soft, hypoallergenic hand that feels gentle against the skin, while silk adds a subtle luminosity and drape. The extra fine merino component provides just enough elasticity and structure to help the hat hold its shape. Together, these fibers create a finished object that is lightweight yet warm — ideal for a hat that needs to be both functional and stylish.

Techniques Used

• Knitting in the round on a 16-inch circular needle — the primary construction method for the body of the hat, creating a seamless tube without the need for seaming.
• Three-needle bind off — a technique used to close the top of the hat. This method joins two sets of live stitches simultaneously by holding them parallel on two needles and knitting them together with a third needle, creating a neat, sturdy seam. It is this technique that gives the Hennepin Hat its distinctive, contemporary finish.
• Placing markers to organize rounds and sections of the pattern.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch — the foundational stitch of the hat, worked in the round by knitting every round. Stockinette in the round produces a smooth, classic fabric that showcases the natural sheen and color of Techno yarn beautifully.
• Basic knit and purl stitches as referenced in the abbreviations.

Gauge

The pattern calls for a gauge of 17 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is important for ensuring the hat reaches its intended finished measurements of 18 inches in circumference and 8 inches in height.

Pattern Details and Accessibility

The Hennepin Hat is offered as a complimentary (free) downloadable PDF from Blue Sky Fibers, pattern number 201714. It is a one-size pattern, making it straightforward to work without the need to navigate multiple size adjustments. The combination of a quick one-hank project, chunky-weight yarn, and beginner-friendly techniques makes this an ideal weekend knit or a satisfying introduction to circular knitting and the three-needle bind off technique.