Burlap Weave Hat

Burlap Weave Hat by Kavitha Raman

What is Being Made

The Burlap Weave Hat is a knitted beanie with a subtle slouch silhouette. This intermediate-level design creates a textured, woven appearance across the entire hat using a deceptively simple combination of basic knitting techniques. The hat is available in three sizes—Small, Medium, and Large—with finished circumferences ranging from 7.25 inches to 9 inches and heights from 14 to 19 inches.

Design Inspiration and Concept

Designed by Kavitha Raman, this hat celebrates the versatility of fundamental knitting stitches. The designer emphasizes how much visual and textural complexity can be achieved through the strategic combination of knits, purls, and slipped stitches alone, without requiring complex stitch patterns or color work. The all-over ribbing pattern interspersed with slipped stitches creates the distinctive burlap-like woven texture that gives the hat its name.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Ribbing: All-over ribbing forms the foundation of the stitch pattern, providing elasticity and structure to the hat
• Slipped Stitches: Strategically placed slipped stitches create the woven visual effect throughout the design
• Knit and Purl Combinations: The interplay between knit and purl stitches builds texture and dimension
• Circular Knitting: The hat is worked in the round using circular needles, creating seamless construction
• Decreasing: Techniques such as purl 2 together (p2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk) are used for shaping, particularly in crown decreases

Stitches and Stitch Pattern

The Burlap Weave Hat relies on fundamental knitting stitches to create its textured appearance. The core stitches include knit (k) and purl (p) stitches, which form the ribbed base and create the visual texture. Slipped stitches are interspersed throughout to produce the characteristic woven effect. Decreasing stitches such as purl 2 together (p2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk) are employed for shaping the crown. The stitch pattern is worked at a gauge of 28 stitches and 32 rows per 4 inches when worked in pattern.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern is designed for aran and worsted weight yarns, offering flexibility in yarn selection. The yardage requirements vary by size: Small requires 90–120 yards (82–110 meters), Medium requires 150–200 yards (137–183 meters), and Large requires 170–220 yards (155–201 meters).

Suggested Yarn Options:

• Cascade 220 Heathers: 100% Peruvian Highland Wool, 220 yards per 200 meters, 3.5 ounces per 100 grams
• Patons Classic Worsted Yarn: 100% Wool, 210 yards per 192 meters, 3.5 ounces per 100 grams

Required Needles and Notions:

• US #3 / 3.25 mm circular needles, minimum 16 inches (40 cm) in length
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and size increases

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with circular needles and manage stitch pattern repeats. While the individual stitches are basic, maintaining the rhythm of the ribbing and slipped-stitch pattern throughout requires attention and pattern-reading ability.