Richting

Richting Hat by Andrea Rangel

What is Being Made

Richting is a knitted hat designed by Andrea Rangel, offered as a downloadable PDF pattern. This intermediate-level project produces a fitted hat worked in the round from the bottom up, designed to be worn with negative ease for a snug, close fit. The hat is available in two sizes: Small and Large, with finished brim circumferences of 19 inches (48.5 cm) and 22.75 inches (58 cm) respectively.

Construction and Techniques

The hat is constructed using bottom-up circular knitting, a technique that begins at the brim and progresses upward toward the crown. This method allows for seamless construction and even stitch definition throughout the garment. The pattern recommends wearing the finished hat with 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) of negative ease, meaning knitters should select a size smaller than their actual head circumference for optimal fit and shaping.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used in Richting is a Textured Stitch, which creates visual interest and dimension across the hat. This stitch pattern is worked consistently throughout the crown and brim, providing a cohesive, finished appearance. The gauge for this textured stitch is 21 stitches and 44 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) when measured after blocking, which is essential information for achieving proper fit and finished measurements.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

Richting is designed for fingering weight yarn, a lightweight yarn suitable for detailed stitch definition and a refined finished fabric. The pattern specifies two yarn colors:

• Main Color: 130 yards (120 meters) for size Small, or 160 yards (145 meters) for size Large. The pattern is shown in Brooklyn Tweed Loft, a 100% wool yarn with 275 yards per 50-gram skein, in the colorway Woodsmoke. One skein provides sufficient yardage for either size.
• Contrast Color: 15 yards (14 meters) for size Small, or 20 yards (18 meters) for size Large. Also shown in Brooklyn Tweed Loft in the colorway Sap. One skein provides ample yardage for either size.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires US #4 (3.50 mm) needles in two configurations. Needle A is a 16-inch (40 cm) circular needle used for the initial cast-on and brim sections. Needle B consists of US #4 (3.50 mm) double-pointed needles, a 32-inch (80 cm) or longer circular needle for the magic loop method, or two circular needles—knitters may choose their preferred small-circumference circular knitting technique for working the crown decreases. The pattern notes that needle size recommendations are guidelines only; knitters should select needle sizes necessary to achieve the specified gauge of 21 stitches and 44 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) in the textured stitch pattern after blocking.