On Point Hat

ON POINT Hat by McGehee Textiles

What Is Being Made

The ON POINT Hat is a knitted beanie designed to fit average teen and adult head sizes (20" to 21" circumference). This intermediate-level knitting project features a striking geometric colorwork pattern inspired by traditional woven point twill design, which creates a distinctive chevron visual effect. The hat is worked in super bulky yarn for quick completion and bold texture.

Design Inspiration and Concept

Designer Mindy McGehee-Cox draws inspiration from her background as a weaver, translating woven fabric techniques into knitted form. The ON POINT Hat specifically references point twill, a classic woven pattern known for its chevron motifs. This cross-craft approach demonstrates how geometric patterns from textile weaving can be successfully adapted to knitting, creating a hat with visual depth and traditional pattern appeal.

Knitting Techniques Used

This hat employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques:

• Colorwork knitting: The pattern incorporates two contrasting yarn colors worked together to create the geometric design
• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch structure used throughout the colorwork pattern
• Circular knitting: The hat is constructed in the round using circular needles, transitioning to double-pointed needles (DPNs) or magic loop method as the crown decreases
• Decreasing: Knit two together (K2tog) reductions are used to shape the crown
• Gauge-based sizing: The pattern relies on achieving proper gauge to ensure correct fit

Stitches and Abbreviations

The ON POINT Hat uses basic knitting stitches combined in colorwork sequences. The primary stitches employed are:

• Knit (K): The fundamental stitch creating the smooth stockinette texture
• Purl (P): Used in pattern sections as needed
• Knit two together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease used for crown shaping

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations including MC (main color), CC (contrast color), CO (cast on), st/sts (stitch/stitches), and K (knit).

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The ON POINT Hat requires super bulky weight yarn (weight category 6), which creates quick knitting progress and substantial fabric. The designer used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick yarn in two colors:

• Main color: Fisherman (50 yards)
• Contrast color: Charcoal (40 yards)
• Total yardage: 90 yards

Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick is a popular super bulky option that combines wool and acrylic fibers, offering durability and easy care.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires two sizes of circular needles to accommodate gauge changes and crown shaping:

• Size US 11 (8mm) circular needles: 16" length
• Size US 13 (9mm) circular needles: 16" length
• Transition tools: Double-pointed needles (DPNs) in the same sizes or magic loop method for working the crown decreases when stitches no longer fit on circular needles

Gauge and Fit

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this hat to fit correctly. The pattern specifies 10 stitches and 14 rows equals 4 inches when working in stockinette stitch with the colorwork pattern on the larger (US 13) needles. Knitters should swatch before beginning to ensure their tension matches the pattern requirements, as gauge variations will directly affect the finished hat circumference and overall fit.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, the ON POINT Hat is suitable for knitters with foundational skills. The intermediate classification reflects the colorwork technique, which requires managing two yarn colors simultaneously and maintaining even tension across color changes. Knitters should be comfortable with circular needle techniques and basic decreasing before attempting this project.