Waterspout

Waterspout Hat by Katya Frankel

What is Being Made

The Waterspout is a traditional beret-style hat designed by Katya Frankel. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a timeless, feminine hat with a contemporary twist. The hat is worked in the round from the brim upward, featuring a structured brim and a gently tapered crown. The design accommodates multiple sizes, with head circumferences ranging from 18 to 24 inches (45.5 to 61 centimeters), making it suitable for various wearers.

Techniques Used

The Waterspout employs several intermediate knitting techniques that work together to create its distinctive appearance. The hat is knitted in the round, a fundamental technique for seamless hat construction. The pattern incorporates slipped stitches and eyelets as primary design elements, which are strategically combined to create a gentle swirl pattern that flows from the brim through to the tip of the crown. Additional techniques include decreases and increases for shaping the hat's silhouette, as well as finishing techniques to complete the project professionally. The brim is established using a ribbed stitch pattern that provides elasticity and structure.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K) – the foundational stitch used throughout the pattern
• Purl stitch (P) – used in combination with knit stitches, particularly in the ribbed brim
• Slipped stitches – a key design element that creates the visual swirl effect
• Eyelets – openwork stitches combined with slipped stitches for decorative patterning
• Knit front and back (K f/b) – an increase technique used during the transition from brim to body

Materials and Specifications

The Waterspout pattern is designed to be knitted in Malabrigo Worsted, a soft single-ply yarn that offers excellent stitch definition, allowing the slipped stitch and eyelet details to display clearly. The pattern accommodates both aran and worsted weight yarns, providing flexibility in yarn selection while maintaining the intended drape and fit. The project requires two sizes of needles – smaller needles are used for casting on and working the ribbed brim, while larger needles are used for the body of the hat after the increase round. The pattern begins with cast-on counts of 72, 80, 88, or 96 stitches depending on the desired size, increasing to 108, 120, 132, or 144 stitches after the brim shaping.

Pattern Structure

The Waterspout follows a logical construction sequence. The brim section is worked first in a knit-one, purl-one ribbed pattern, measuring 1½ to 2 inches (4 to 5 centimeters) in depth depending on size. An increase round follows, which doubles the stitch count and transitions the work to larger needles for the main body. From this point, the slipped stitch and eyelet pattern creates the signature swirl that continues upward through the crown, with decreases shaping the hat to its finished point. This intermediate-level project is suitable for knitters with experience in basic stitches and circular needle techniques.