Connor

Connor Hat by Taiga Hilliard Designs

What Is Being Made

Connor is a seamless, quick-to-knit hat designed for the whole family. This project uses only a single skein of super bulky yarn, making it an efficient and accessible knitting project. The hat is available in three sizes: Kid (18 ½" head circumference), Medium Adult (22" head circumference), and X-Large Adult (25" head circumference).

Knitting Techniques

This hat is knit entirely in the round using the brim-up construction method, which means you begin at the ribbed edge and work upward toward the crown. The seamless, in-the-round construction eliminates the need for seaming and creates a polished, professional finish. The pattern uses a decrease section to shape the crown, gradually reducing stitches to close the top of the hat.

The brim-up approach is particularly beginner-friendly because it allows you to try on the hat as you work and adjust the length to your preference before beginning the crown shaping.

Stitches Used

Connor employs fundamental knitting stitches suitable for beginners:

• Knit (K) – The basic knit stitch forms the primary fabric
• Purl (P) – Used in combination with knit stitches to create textured ribbing
• Knit Two Together (K2tog) – A right-leaning decrease used in the crown shaping
• Purl Two Together (P2tog) – A decrease worked in purl stitches during the decreasing section
• Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK) – A left-leaning decrease for balanced crown shaping

The stitch pattern combines knit and purl stitches in alternating sequences to create a textured, ribbed fabric that provides stretch and visual interest.

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: Malabrigo Rasta in super bulky weight. The pattern requires 70 yards (Kid size), 80 yards (Medium Adult), or 90 yards (X-Large Adult) – all achievable with a single skein.

Needles: US size 11 (8.0 mm) circular needles or the size needed to achieve proper gauge. Circular needles are essential for knitting in the round.

Gauge: 9.0 stitches and 14 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge ensures the hat will fit correctly across all three sizes.

Additional Supplies: A stitch marker to denote the start of each round is required for seamless in-the-round knitting.

Project Summary

Connor is an ideal beginner knitting project that delivers quick results with minimal yarn investment. The use of super bulky yarn and large needles means the hat knits up rapidly, typically completable in a few hours. The straightforward stitch combinations—primarily knit and purl in simple repeating patterns—build fundamental skills without overwhelming complexity. The seamless, in-the-round construction is a valuable technique for any knitter to master, and this pattern provides an excellent introduction to this method.