Gate Post Hat

Gate Post Hat by Mary E Rose Designs

Project Overview

The Gate Post Hat is an intermediate-level knitted hat designed by Mary E Rose. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a structured, fitted hat inspired by decorative wrought iron gates. The design combines functional construction with subtle decorative cable work, making it suitable for knitters with some experience in cable techniques and circular knitting.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a knitted hat worked in the round, available in two sizes: Small (fitting heads 14-22 inches / 35.5-56 cm) and Large (fitting heads 23-26 inches / 58.5-66 cm). The finished hat measures 11 inches (28 cm) tall. The hat is designed with negative ease, ranging from 0 to 6 inches (0-15 cm), allowing for a snug, stretchy fit that accommodates various head sizes within each size range. The circumference when un-stretched measures 14 inches (35.5 cm) for size Small and 16 inches (40.5 cm) for size Large.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Circular knitting: The entire hat is worked in the round using either double-pointed needles or circular needles, according to the knitter's preferred method
• Stretchy cast-on: The pattern begins with a stretchy cast-on technique to create an elastic foundation edge
• Cable work: Simple cables are incorporated throughout the hat, creating a visual pattern reminiscent of wrought iron gate designs
• Blocking: The finished hat is blocked to achieve the specified gauge and shape

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

The pattern utilizes cable stitches as its primary decorative element. Abbreviations used in the pattern include 1/1 RC (a right-leaning cable cross), which indicates knitting techniques fundamental to creating the gate-inspired cable motif. Knitters working this pattern should be comfortable reading cable charts and executing cable crosses with a cable needle.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Gate Post Hat is designed for sport weight yarn, specifically calling for Cascade Yarns Longwood Sport in Color 64. This yarn is composed of 100% Superwash Extrafine Merino, offering softness and easy care. One 100-gram ball provides 273 yards (250 meters) of yarn, which is sufficient to complete the hat in either size.

The pattern requires US 5 (3.75 mm) needles, available in either double-pointed or circular needle formats depending on the knitter's preference for working in the round. Additional notions include a stitch marker (or markers) for tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings, a cable needle for executing cable crosses, and a large-eyed tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge and Fit

The specified gauge is 34 stitches and 38 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in the cable pattern after blocking and when un-stretched. Achieving this gauge is essential for proper fit, as the negative ease design relies on the yarn's stretch and the precise stitch count to create the intended snug fit across the range of head sizes.