Raspberry Hat

Raspberry Hat by Joan Laws

What is Being Made

The Raspberry Hat is a colorful, two-size knitted hat designed by Joan Laws. This project creates a finished hat with a circumference of either 20 inches (50 cm) for children or 22 inches (55 cm) for adults. The hat features a multi-color design using three coordinating yarn colors: Cream, Light Mauve, and Dark Mauve, creating a visually appealing raspberry-inspired colorwork pattern.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques. The hat is constructed using circular knitting, worked in the round on circular needles to create a seamless, tubular garment. The pattern incorporates color work using the slip stitch method, which allows multiple colors to be introduced without the complexity of traditional stranded colorwork. Yarn carrying is an important technique emphasized in the pattern notes, requiring knitters to carry yarn loosely across the back of the work to prevent puckering and distortion. The pattern also uses ribbed edging at the brim to create elasticity and a finished appearance.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k): The fundamental stitch used throughout the main body of the hat
• Purl stitch (p): Combined with knit stitches to create the ribbed cuff
• Slip stitch (sl): Used in the colorwork pattern to create the raspberry design while carrying yarn across the back of the work
• Ribbing (k1, p1): Creates the elastic cuff at the bottom of the hat

Materials and Tools

The Raspberry Hat is constructed using worsted weight yarn in a blend of 50% cotton and 50% rayon. The recommended yarn is Berroco Touché, though any worsted weight yarn of similar characteristics will work. Yardage requirements are modest: Color A (Cream) requires 1 skein for children's size or 2 skeins for adult size, while Color B (Light Mauve) and Color C (Dark Mauve) each require 1 skein. Each skein contains 89 yards (82 meters) and weighs 50 grams.

Needle requirements include one size US6 (4mm) circular needle measuring 16 inches (40 cm) for the ribbed cuff, and two size US7 (4.5mm) circular needles, also 16 inches (40 cm), for the main body of the hat. Five stitch markers are needed to track pattern repeats and the beginning of rounds. The pattern is worked to a gauge of 20 stitches over 4 inches (10 cm) when measured in the slip stitch pattern on the larger needles.

Pattern Construction Details

The hat begins with a cast-on of 100 stitches for the child size or 108 stitches for the adult size, worked on the smaller needles. After joining for working in rounds, knitters work 4 rounds (5 rounds for adult size) of knit one, purl one ribbing to create the cuff. The pattern then transitions to the larger needles and introduces the colorwork. The slip stitch pattern alternates between solid rounds in Cream and patterned rounds using Light Mauve and Dark Mauve, with the slip stitch technique creating the distinctive raspberry design while maintaining a neat, finished appearance on both the inside and outside of the hat.