950 Fennel - Hat Knitting Pattern for Adults in Valley Yarns Becket

950 Fennel - Adult Hat Knitting Pattern

Project Overview

The 950 Fennel is a close-fitting twist stitch beanie designed by Julie Turjoman, featuring Valley Yarns' Becket yarn. This intermediate-level knitting pattern showcases Japanese-inspired stitch techniques in a stylish, dense construction perfect for cold-weather wear. The hat combines classic knitting methods with contemporary stitch patterns to create a modern accessory with visual texture and warmth.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces an adult-sized beanie hat available in three sizes to fit head circumferences of 18 inches (small), 20 inches (medium), and 22 inches (large). The hat features a close-fitting silhouette designed to sit snugly on the head while maintaining comfort and style.

Techniques Used

• Seamless construction: The hat is worked in the round, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a continuous, polished finish
• Bottom-up construction: The pattern begins at the brim and progresses upward to the crown, allowing for easy length adjustments
• Cable work: Incorporates cable stitches that add dimension and visual interest to the design
• Twisted stitch patterns: Features Japanese-inspired twist stitches that create a dense, textured fabric with excellent structure

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The 950 Fennel employs a combination of fundamental and decorative stitches to achieve its distinctive appearance. The pattern uses knit through the back loop (k1 tbl) stitches, which create twisted columns that contribute to the overall texture. Purl stitches (p1) are worked in alternation with twisted knits to establish the pattern repeat. Cable stitches are incorporated using a cable needle (CN), with instructions including left-leaning cables (2/4 LC) that add sculptural elements. The pattern also includes stockinette stitch sections, which serve as the foundation for gauge measurement and provide contrast to the textured stitch patterns.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This pattern is specifically designed for Valley Yarns Becket, a premium blend yarn composed of 50% Superfine Alpaca and 50% Wool. The yarn is classified as worsted weight, providing excellent stitch definition and durability. Yarn requirements vary by size: the small size requires 1 skein (100 g/141 yards), while medium and large sizes each require 2 skeins. The pattern sample is shown in the colorway Honey Wheat.

Needles and Tools

The pattern calls for US 8 (5.00 mm) circular needles in a 16-inch length as the primary needle size, with US 7 (5.00 mm) circular needles for ribbed sections. Double-pointed needles (DPNs) in the same sizes are required for working the crown decreases when stitches become too few for circular needles. Additional materials include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and a cable needle for managing cable stitches. Needle size may be adjusted to US 9 or US 8 respectively if necessary to achieve proper gauge.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 20 rounds per 4 inches in stockinette stitch, measured after blocking using US 8 needles. Achieving correct gauge is essential for proper fit, particularly in a close-fitting hat design. The three available sizes accommodate a range of adult head sizes from 18 to 22 inches in circumference.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern is suitable for knitters with experience in basic techniques who are ready to work with cables and twisted stitches. The seamless, in-the-round construction and pattern complexity require attention to detail and familiarity with reading knitting charts and managing multiple stitches on circular needles.