Dakota Pom Pom Hat

Dakota Pom Pom Hat by Janine Myska

What is Being Made

The Dakota Pom Pom Hat is a knitted winter hat designed by Janine Myska for Knits 'N Knots. This is an original knitting pattern that creates a fitted adult-sized beanie with a decorative pom pom finish. The hat measures approximately 8¾ inches tall and 8¾ inches wide when laid flat, with stretch to accommodate an average adult head size. The design is worked seamlessly in the round from the bottom up, creating a classic, versatile hat suitable for cold weather wear.

Techniques Used

The Dakota Pom Pom Hat employs fundamental knitting techniques executed in the round. The pattern is constructed using the bottom-up method, meaning knitting begins at the brim and progresses toward the crown. Working in the round eliminates the need for seaming the sides, creating a seamless construction. The pattern incorporates decreases toward the top of the hat to shape the crown, with the option to use double-pointed needles for these decreases if preferred. The finished hat features a pom pom attached to the crown, adding a decorative and playful element to the design.

Stitches Used

The Dakota Pom Pom Hat utilizes basic knitting stitches accessible to intermediate knitters. The primary stitch pattern is stockinette stitch, created by alternating knit and purl rows, which produces a smooth, classic fabric with a V-textured appearance on the right side. Decreases are incorporated using the k2tog (knit 2 stitches together) technique to shape the crown of the hat. The pattern uses standard abbreviations including k for knit, p for purl, st(s) for stitch or stitches, and k2tog for the decrease method.

Materials and Gauge

The Dakota Pom Pom Hat is designed for medium weight yarn, classified as #4 aran weight. The original pattern specifies Lion Brand Vanna's Choice, a 100% acrylic yarn in the "Silver Blue" colorway, requiring 170 yards from a single skein. An alternative yarn option is suggested: Loops & Threads Impeccable, providing flexibility for crafters with different yarn preferences or availability.

Needles required include 6mm circular needles with a 16-inch cord, or the size necessary to achieve proper gauge, along with double-pointed needles for decreasing if the crafter prefers this method over circular needle decreases. Additional materials include scissors, a stitch marker for tracking rounds, and a needle for weaving in yarn ends.

The pattern is designed to achieve a gauge of 14 stitches and 20 rows per 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Maintaining this gauge is essential for the hat to fit properly and reach the intended finished dimensions.