Cutler Hat in Rowan Brushed Fleece - RTP004-0010-DEP - Downloadable PDF

Cutler Hat in Rowan Brushed Fleece – Pattern Summary (RTP004-0010-DEP)

The Cutler Hat is a beautifully crafted knitted beanie designed by Martin Storey and published by Rowan. Available as a downloadable PDF, this intermediate-level knitting pattern produces a cosy, striped chunky hat worked flat and seamed, making it an ideal project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and two-colour stripe work. The design is clean, contemporary, and versatile, suitable for everyday wear in cooler seasons.

What Is Being Made

The pattern creates a knitted hat in two sizes: S/M and L/XL, with a finished circumference of approximately 50 cm (S/M) or 54 cm (L/XL) and a height of 26 cm. The hat features a neat ribbed brim, a striped stocking stitch body, and a carefully shaped crown that tapers to a tidy gathered finish at the top.

Design Details and Construction

The Cutler Hat is worked flat on straight needles in rows, then seamed at the back upon completion. The construction is straightforward and methodical, progressing through three distinct sections:

• Ribbed brim: Cast on in Colour B (Cairn 263) using smaller needles, the brim is worked in 2×2 rib (knit 2, purl 2) for a snug, stretchy fit that sits comfortably around the head.
• Striped body: After switching to larger needles and Colour A (Ness 282), the main body is worked in stocking stitch with a simple two-row stripe sequence alternating between Colour A and Colour B, continued for approximately 16 cm. Yarn not in use is carried loosely up the side edge, keeping the work neat and avoiding unnecessary yarn ends.
• Crown shaping: The crown is shaped through a series of decrease rows worked in stocking stitch, maintaining the established stripe pattern throughout. Decreases are made using k2tog (knit two together) at regular intervals across right-side rows, with wrong-side rows purled plain. The stitch count reduces progressively from the body count down to 15 stitches, at which point the yarn is cut and threaded through the remaining stitches, which are then drawn up tightly and secured to form the crown.

Techniques Used

• 2×2 ribbing – used for the brim to create elasticity and a neat, structured edge
• Stocking stitch – the primary fabric of the hat body, creating a smooth, classic knitted surface
• Two-colour stripe knitting – alternating between two shades every two rows, with yarn carried up the selvedge
• Crown decreasing – systematic k2tog decreases worked across multiple decrease rows to shape the top of the hat
• Flat knitting and seaming – the hat is worked in rows and finished with a back seam
• Steaming and finishing – the pattern recommends steaming the finished hat according to the Rowan information page guidelines

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch
• Purl stitch
• 2×2 rib (knit 2, purl 2)
• Stocking stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side)
• K2tog (knit two together – a right-leaning decrease)

Yarn and Materials

The Cutler Hat is worked in Rowan Brushed Fleece, a luxuriously soft chunky weight yarn sold in 50 g balls. The pattern calls for one ball each of two colourways:

• Colour A – Ness 282