Caiden hat

Caiden Hat by Tracey Lee

What is Being Made

Caiden is a colour work hat designed by independent designer Tracey Lee. This knitted hat features a two-colour design worked seamlessly from the crown down to the ribbed band. The pattern is specifically designed to be worn with negative ease at the band and plenty of slouch, creating a relaxed, comfortable fit. The finished circumference comes in two sizes: approximately 41cm (16 inches) for the smaller size and 48cm (19 inches) for the larger size. The pattern can be easily shortened if the wearer prefers a less slouchy silhouette.

Techniques Used

Caiden is worked seamlessly in the round from crown to band using circular needles or double-pointed needles (DPNs). The hat employs colour work techniques throughout the crown section, with the design worked using two complementary or contrasting colours of your choice. This allows for individual customization with every knit. The pattern begins each round at a marked stitch and uses the backwards loop method for increases, which are made exclusively in colour A. The ribbed band section is worked on smaller needles to create the negative ease required for the slouchy fit.

Stitches and Abbreviations

• K – knit
• P – purl
• M1 – make 1 using the backwards loop method (all increases use colour A)
• SM – stitch marker
• CA – colour A
• CB – colour B
• st/s – stitch/stitches

Materials and Gauge

This intermediate-level pattern calls for DK weight yarn in two colours. Needles are required in four sizes: 4mm (US6) circular or DPNs for the main colour work sections, and 3.5mm (US4) circular or DPNs for the ribbed band (or your preferred size for comfortable ribbing). The gauge for the colour work design on the larger needles is 23 stitches and 26 rows over 10cm (4 inches). Obtaining the correct gauge is essential for achieving the intended finished circumference and slouchy fit of the hat.

Difficulty Level

Caiden is rated as an intermediate knitting project, making it suitable for knitters with some experience. The combination of seamless in-the-round knitting and two-colour colour work requires familiarity with these techniques, though the straightforward construction from crown to band keeps the pattern accessible.