BeTheBoss

BeTheBoss Hat by Helena Granholm

What is Being Made

BeTheBoss is a knitted hat inspired by 1970s styling, designed by Helena Granholm. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a classic hat suitable for knitters of all skill levels, particularly beginners. The design features a ribbed body with a structured crown, offering a timeless aesthetic with modern construction techniques.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques that make it accessible to beginner knitters while maintaining visual interest through strategic stitch placement. The hat is constructed in the round, which is a standard method for creating seamless headwear. Knitters transition from working on circular needles to double-pointed needles (DPNs) when the circumference becomes too small for circular needles, a common technique for crown shaping.

The pattern incorporates decreasing techniques to shape the crown, including SSK (slip, slip, knit) and K2tog (knit two stitches together) decreases. The crown also features a more complex decrease sequence using S2KP2 (slip 2 stitches knitwise, knit 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over), which creates a centered decrease ideal for hat crown shaping.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) – The fundamental stitch forming the main fabric
• Purl (P) – Used in the ribbed pattern sections
• K2tog – A right-leaning decrease used in crown shaping
• SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit) – A left-leaning decrease for balanced crown decreases
• S2KP2 (Slip 2 Knitwise, Knit 1, Pass Slipped Stitches Over) – A centered double decrease for structured crown tapering

The main body features a rib pattern constructed with alternating purl and knit stitches in a [P1, K7] repeat, creating vertical lines that provide stretch and a flattering fit. This ribbed section is maintained for approximately 38 cm (14.9 inches) from the cast-on edge before transitioning to crown decreases.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The BeTheBoss hat is designed to be knitted with DK weight yarn, specifically West Wool Tandem, which is composed of 10% Texel and 90% Falkland merino. This yarn blend offers softness and breathability characteristic of merino wool while incorporating Texel wool for durability and structure.

Approximately 100 grams (175 meters / 195 yards) of yarn is required to complete the hat. The pattern was sampled in two colorways: Canal House and Citroen, both offering distinct visual presentations of the design.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern requires 3.5mm needles (or the size necessary to achieve correct gauge) for the main body and crown work. Knitters should use circular needles for the ribbed body section and transition to double-pointed needles when working the crown decreases and smaller circumferences.

Gauge is critical for proper fit: 22 stitches and 28 rows should measure 10 cm (4 inches) when worked with larger needles after the piece has been blocked and slightly stretched. Always achieving correct gauge after blocking ensures the finished hat will fit as intended.

Pattern Structure and Sizing

The hat is worked seamlessly in the round from the cast-on edge upward. The ribbed body section maintains the [P1, K7] repeat pattern until the piece reaches 38 cm (14.9 inches) in length. The crown shaping then begins with a transition round featuring decreases: [P1, SSK, K3, K2tog], followed by subsequent rounds that continue tapering the crown to closure.

This beginner-friendly pattern from independent designer Helena Granholm provides clear abbreviations and straightforward instructions, making it an excellent choice for knitters developing their skills in seamless, in-the-round hat construction.