Short Row Hat in Plymouth Gina - F535

Short Row Hat in Plymouth Gina

What is Being Made

This is a knitted short row hat designed to fit head circumferences of 20" or 22¾", with an approximate finished circumference of 16" or 18¾". The hat is engineered to stretch significantly larger than the actual head measurement, providing comfortable fit and ease. This downloadable PDF pattern from Plymouth Yarn is offered free with yarn purchase and represents a creative approach to hat construction using directional short row shaping techniques.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Short Row Hat employs short row shaping as its primary construction method. This advanced technique involves working back and forth across only portions of the stitches in successive rows, rather than completing full rows, to create three-dimensional shaping and depth. The pattern utilizes the wrap and turn (W&t) technique, a specialized short row method that prevents holes and creates clean transitions. When executing wrap and turn, the crafter works with yarn in front (wyif), slips the next stitch to the right hand needle, moves yarn to the back of work, slips the stitch back to the left needle, and turns to work in the opposite direction. When knitting back over these wrapped stitches, the wrap is slipped up onto the needle and knitted together with the stitch using a knit two together through the back loop (k2togtbl) decrease.

The construction begins with a provisional cast-on method using scrap yarn and a crochet hook, allowing stitches to be picked up later for seamless finishing. This technique enables the crafter to join the hat without traditional seaming, creating a more refined final product.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout this pattern is stockinette stitch (st st), which creates the classic smooth, V-patterned fabric characteristic of knitted garments. Stockinette stitch is formed by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side when working flat, or by knitting every round when working in the round. The pattern also incorporates knit two together through the back loop (k2togtbl), a left-leaning decrease stitch used when working the wrapped stitches during short row sections.

Materials and Specifications

This pattern calls for Plymouth Yarn's Gina yarn, requiring 2 balls of 50g each (2 balls for both sizes). The design uses two colors: color 11 and color 4, allowing for creative colorwork possibilities within the hat's construction. The recommended gauge is 18 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches when working stockinette stitch on US Size 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles.

Essential tools include US Size 7 (4.5mm) straight knitting needles for the main hat construction, scrap yarn in a contrasting color for the provisional cast-on, and a Size H (4.5mm) crochet hook used to chain the provisional cast-on foundation. The crochet hook size matches the knitting needle size, ensuring compatible stitch proportions during the cast-on process.

Pattern Structure

The pattern is written for the smallest size, with larger size specifications provided in parentheses throughout. Where only a single number appears without parenthetical alternatives, that measurement or instruction applies to both sizes. This sizing flexibility accommodates different head circumferences while maintaining the hat's characteristic stretch and fit properties.