Apiary Hat

Apiary Hat by Corrine Walcher

What is Being Made

The Apiary Hat is a knitted beanie designed by Corrine Walcher, featuring a simple pattern inspired by the appearance of a beehive. This intermediate-level knitting project produces a finished hat measuring 18 inches around when unstretched and 23.5 inches when stretched, with a height of 8 inches. The design is part of a coordinated collection that also includes a matching cowl and fingerless mitts, allowing crafters to create a complete accessory set.

Techniques Used

The Apiary Hat employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for intermediate-level knitters. The primary construction method is knitting in the round, which creates a seamless, tubular fabric. This technique is achieved using either a set of five double-pointed needles or a 16-inch circular needle, both of which eliminate the need for seaming. The pattern incorporates cable stitches as a decorative element, which create the textured, beehive-inspired design. Additionally, the pattern uses decreasing techniques to shape the crown of the hat, ensuring a proper fit and finished silhouette.

Stitches Used

The Apiary Hat pattern utilizes a focused selection of stitches to achieve its distinctive texture and structure:

• Knit (K) — the fundamental stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl (P) — used in combination with knit stitches to create texture
• 1/1 Left Cable (1/1 LC) — created by slipping one stitch to a cable needle and holding it in front, then knitting one stitch and knitting one stitch from the cable needle
• 1/1 Right Cable (1/1 RC) — created by slipping one stitch to a cable needle and holding it in back, then knitting one stitch and knitting one stitch from the cable needle
• Knit Two Together (K2tog) — a left-leaning decrease used for shaping
• Purl Two Together (P2tog) — a decrease used when working purl stitches

The cable stitches create the textured pattern that resembles a beehive structure, while the decrease stitches shape the hat's crown for a proper fit.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Apiary Hat is designed to be knitted with 4-ply sock weight yarn. The sample pattern was created using Marigoldjen Sock Weight yarn, which contains 80% Superwash Merino and 20% nylon. This fiber blend provides durability, elasticity, and easy care properties ideal for a hat that will receive regular wear. The yarn specifications indicate 400 yards per 100 grams, with the sample hat requiring approximately 150 yards of yarn, making this an efficient project that uses minimal yardage. The recommended needle size is US size 3 (3.25 mm), though crafters should select the appropriate size to achieve the specified gauge of 19 stitches and 22 rows per 4 inches in blocked stockinette stitch, knit in the round. The pattern accommodates both double-pointed needles and circular needles, providing flexibility based on individual knitter preference and available tools.