Diamonds Hat

Diamonds Hat by Nancy Hand

What is Being Made

The Diamonds Hat is a close-fitting knitted cap designed by Nancy Hand. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a structured hat with a circumference of approximately 21 inches (53.3 cm) when worked at the specified gauge. The hat features a two-color design with a diamond motif worked from charted instructions, making it an ideal project for knitters looking to develop colorwork skills.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level pattern employs several key knitting techniques. The hat begins with a two-color ribbed cuff worked flat for 10 rows, establishing a stretchy, fitted edge. Strategic increases are worked in the transition row to shape the crown and prepare for the main colorwork section. The body of the hat is worked in the round using chart-based colorwork, requiring knitters to manage two colors simultaneously while maintaining consistent tension. The pattern concludes with a traditional crown decrease, threading the remaining stitches and drawing them tight to close the top of the hat.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k): The foundation stitch used throughout the ribbed cuff and stockinette sections
• Purl stitch (p): Incorporated in the two-color rib pattern for textural definition
• Make One increase (m1): Used strategically in the increase row to shape the hat and transition from cuff to body
• Two-color stranded colorwork: Worked from Chart A and Chart B, with Chart A repeated 6 times around the circumference to create the diamond pattern

Materials and Tools

The Diamonds Hat is designed for light fingering weight yarn, specifically 3-ply and 4-ply weights. The pattern recommends high-quality yarns such as WOOLADDICTS by LANGYARNS Love, Madelinetosh TML + TWEED, or Madelinetosh Eurosock. You will need 25 to 30 grams (approximately 100 meters) of each color choice. The pattern calls for US3 (3.25 mm) needles or the size required to achieve the specified gauge of 8 stitches and 10 rows per 1 inch (2.54 cm). Optional stitch markers are recommended to help track pattern repeats when working in the round. Blocking is suggested as a finishing step to enhance the final appearance of the hat.

Pattern Details

The Diamonds Hat pattern begins with casting on 136 stitches and working a two-color ribbed cuff for 10 rows. An increase row follows, bringing the stitch count to 168 stitches distributed strategically around the hat. The main colorwork begins with Row 1 of Chart A, which is repeated 6 times as you work around the hat in the round. Once Chart A is complete, knitters transition to Chart B to continue the diamond motif. The pattern concludes with decreases at the crown, cutting the yarn and threading it through the remaining stitches before drawing tight to secure the top. All ends are tucked in, and the finished hat may be blocked as desired to achieve the intended shape and drape.