At the Boardwalk

At the Boardwalk Knit Hat by yellowcosmo

What Is Being Made

At the Boardwalk is a knitted hat designed by Connie Peng for yellowcosmo designs. This intermediate-level project creates a finished hat measuring 19 ¾ inches around with a height of 8 ¼ inches, making it a classic fit suitable for various head sizes. The hat is worked in the round from the bottom up, combining ribbed edging with decorative stranded colorwork.

Construction Technique

The hat is constructed using the bottom-up, in-the-round method, a popular approach in modern hat knitting. The design begins with ribbed cuffs worked on smaller needles to create a snug, elastic edge that keeps the hat secure. After the ribbing is complete, knitters switch to larger needles and work 35 rounds of stranded colorwork—a traditional technique where two colors are carried and worked simultaneously to create a patterned fabric. This method produces a double-layered, durable fabric with excellent elasticity and warmth.

Knitters can choose their preferred method for working in the round: double-pointed needles (dpns), two circular needles, or a single circular needle. This flexibility accommodates different knitting preferences and skill levels.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Knit (k) and Purl (p) stitches form the foundation of the ribbed cuff
• Stranded colorwork creates the patterned section, requiring the knitter to manage two yarn colors across 35 rounds
• Make One (m1) increase stitch, worked by lifting the bar between stitches from front to back and knitting into the back leg, used for shaping
• Slip, Slip, Knit (ssk) decrease stitch for structured shaping
• Cast On (CO) and Bind Off (BO) techniques to begin and finish the hat
• Place Marker (pm) to track pattern repeats and round beginnings

Yarn and Materials

This pattern calls for Cascade Heritage 150 yarn in sport weight, a fingering-to-sport weight blend. The two-color design requires:

• Yarn A in color 5641 (Mango): 95 yards
• Yarn B in color 5631 (Charcoal): 135 yards

Total yardage is approximately 230 yards, making this an efficient project for yarn stash use. Sport weight yarn is ideal for creating fabric with good drape and definition, particularly for stranded colorwork where stitch clarity is important.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern uses US #3 needles as the primary needle size for working the main hat fabric. A smaller needle size is recommended for the ribbed cuff to create a tighter, more elastic edge. Knitters should adjust needle size as needed to achieve the specified gauge.

The required gauge is 29 stitches by 33 rows per 4 inches (10 cm x 10 cm) when working stranded colorwork with the larger needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the hat to fit correctly at the specified dimensions.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern assumes knitters are comfortable with basic techniques including casting on, ribbing, and working in the round. The primary challenge is managing stranded colorwork, which requires coordinating two yarn colors while maintaining even tension and consistent stitch quality across 35 rounds. Knitters new to colorwork will develop valuable skills in color management and pattern following.