Patterned Hat in Plymouth Encore Mega - F306

Patterned Hat in Plymouth Encore Mega

What is Being Made

This free knitting pattern from Plymouth Yarn Design Studio creates a classic patterned hat sized to fit most adults. The design features a textured stitch pattern combined with a fitted crown, making it a versatile accessory suitable for everyday wear.

Craft and Technique

This is a knitting project worked in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles. The hat is constructed by casting on stitches, establishing a patterned stitch repeat, and then systematically decreasing stitches to shape the crown. The pattern uses a combination of knit and purl stitches to create visual texture throughout the body of the hat before tapering to a finished point.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (st st) — used as the base gauge measurement
• Knit stitch (K) — primary stitch for smooth fabric sections
• Purl stitch (P) — alternated with knit stitches to create the patterned texture
• Knit two together (k2tog) — a right-leaning decrease used throughout the crown shaping sequence

Pattern Structure

The hat begins with 40 stitches cast on loosely and joined in the round. The first two rounds are worked in stockinette stitch, followed by a two-round repeat of the patterned sequence: one round of alternating purl and knit stitches (P1, K3 repeat), then one knit round. This pattern repeat continues until the hat reaches 6½ inches in total length. The crown is then shaped through seven consecutive decrease rounds, each reducing the number of stitches worked in pattern before the k2tog decrease, creating a gradual taper that closes the top of the hat.

Materials and Tools

This pattern requires 1 ball of Plymouth Encore Mega yarn, which provides ample yardage for the completed hat. The project uses size 15 circular needles (16 inches) for the main body and size 11 or 13 double-pointed needles for working the crown decreases when stitches become too few for the circular needle. A stitch marker is needed to mark the beginning of each round. The gauge is 2 stitches per 1 inch over stockinette stitch on size 15 needles.