Heather Hat + Mittens in MODE at Rowan Softest Alpaca - Downloadable PDF

Heather Hat + Mittens Knitting Pattern by Georgia Farrell in Softest Alpaca

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern by designer Georgia Farrell includes instructions for two coordinating accessories: the Heather Hat and matching Heather Mittens. Both pieces are knitted in Softest Alpaca by Mode at Rowan, a luxuriously soft chunky-weight yarn that makes these accessories ideal for cold-weather wear. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and reading stitch charts.

Heather Hat

Overview and Sizing

The Heather Hat is designed to fit an average-sized adult woman's head, with an approximate circumference of 44.5 cm (17½ in). The pattern offers two construction methods: worked flat using straight needles, or worked seamlessly in the round using circular and double-pointed needles. Both versions produce the same finished hat, giving knitters the flexibility to choose their preferred technique.

Construction and Structure

The hat begins with a ribbed brim approximately 6.5 cm deep, worked in a textured rib pattern that combines knit and purl stitches in a repeating sequence. This brim provides a snug, stretchy fit around the head. After the brim is complete, stitches are transitioned onto larger needles and the body of the hat is worked in a checkerboard pattern taken from a stitch chart, with a 20-stitch repeat worked four times across the round or row. The hat is worked to a total length of approximately 23.5 cm before crown shaping begins.

Crown Shaping

The crown is shaped through a series of decrease rows that reduce the stitch count progressively. The flat version begins crown shaping from 82 stitches, decreasing to 74 stitches in the first decrease row, and continuing with further reductions until the crown is complete. The shaping integrates the established stitch pattern with paired decreases to maintain the textured look through to the top of the hat.

Techniques Used

• Ribbing: A detailed rib combining knit and purl stitches in a structured repeat forms the brim
• Checkerboard chart pattern: A 20-stitch, 35-row repeating chart worked across the body of the hat
• Crown shaping with decreases: Including P2tog (purl two together) and other decrease methods to shape the top
• Flat knitting (worked back and forth in rows) or seamless knitting in the round (worked on circular and double-pointed needles)

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches
• Purl two together (P2tog)
• Structured rib pattern: K1, P2, (K2, P1) repeats
• Checkerboard stitch pattern (chart-based, 20-stitch repeat over 35 rows)

Materials for the Hat

• Yarn: Softest Alpaca by Mode at Rowan, 50g skeins; photographed in Cranberry 020
• Needles (flat version): 1 pair 5mm (US 8) needles and 1 pair 5.5mm (US 9) needles
• Needles (in-the-round version): 5mm (US 8) circular needles measuring 40cm, 5.5mm (US 9) circular needles measuring 40cm, and a set of 5.5mm (US 9) double-pointed needles
• Extras: Stitch marker (for the in-the-round version)

Tension