Kananaskis Hat

Kananaskis Hat by Corrine Walcher

What is Being Made

The Kananaskis Hat is a DK weight knit hat inspired by Kananaskis, a national park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. This intermediate-level knitting project produces a finished hat measuring 18 inches around when unstretched and 23 inches when stretched, with a height of 8.75 inches. The designer, Corrine Walcher, has created this hat as part of a coordinating collection that also includes a matching cowl and fingerless gloves, allowing knitters to create a complete set.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Kananaskis Hat is knit in the round, a fundamental technique for creating seamless, tubular garments like hats. This method eliminates the need for seaming and creates a smooth, professional finish. The pattern employs cable stitches as a primary design element, which are created using a cable needle to manipulate stitch order and create dimensional, twisted textures. The use of cable techniques indicates this is an intermediate-level project, as cables require attention to stitch placement and cable needle management.

The hat is worked using either a set of five double-pointed needles or a 16-inch circular needle, both in size 5 US (3.75 mm). The choice between these needle styles is a matter of knitter preference; double-pointed needles are traditional for small circumference knitting, while circular needles offer an alternative method for working in the round. The pattern includes stitch markers to help track pattern repeats and construction points throughout the knitting process.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch used in this hat, created by alternating knit and purl rows. When knit in the round, stockinette is produced by knitting every round, creating a smooth, V-textured fabric that serves as the base for the cable pattern work.
• Cable Stitches: The pattern utilizes two primary cable techniques: 2/1 LPC (Left Purl Cable) and 2/1 RPC (Right Purl Cable). These cables are created by slipping stitches to a cable needle, holding them to the front or back as specified, and then working stitches in a specific order to create twisted, dimensional effects. These cable variations add visual interest and texture to the hat design.
• Knit and Purl Stitches: Basic knit and purl stitches form the foundation of all knitting and are essential components of the cable work and stockinette base.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Kananaskis Hat is designed to be knit with DK weight yarn, a medium-light yarn weight that creates a fabric with good drape and warmth. The sample hat was knit using Dragonfly Fibers Traveller, a 100% superwash merino yarn that offers durability, softness, and easy care through machine washing. Dragonfly Fibers Traveller provides 280 yards per 4-ounce skein, and the sample hat required 145 yards of yarn, leaving generous yardage for adjustments or mistakes.

The sample was knit in the colorway Dragonberry, showcasing how the cable pattern and stockinette base interact with color. Superwash merino is an excellent choice for hats, as it provides warmth, breathability, and the practical benefit of being washable without special care, making the finished hat suitable for regular wear and easy maintenance.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches when measured in blocked stockinette stitch, knit in the round. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements of 18 inches unstretched and 23 inches stretched. The merino content and DK weight of the recommended yarn provide excellent elasticity, allowing the hat to stretch comfortably over the head while maintaining its shape.