Geodesic Dome Hat

Geodesic Dome Hat by Jessica G. Harlow

What is Being Made

The Geodesic Dome Hat is a loose-fitting knitted hat featuring a folded brim and decorative pompom top. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a warm, gift-worthy hat available in three sizes: Small (16-inch circumference), Medium (18-inch circumference), and Large (20-inch circumference). The hat measures approximately 12 inches from the unfolded brim to the crown, not including the pompom.

Techniques Used

This design employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive appearance. The primary construction method uses circular knitting on 16-inch circular needles, which allows for seamless construction in the round. The hat features a folded brim that adds both visual interest and functional warmth. Decreases are strategically placed to shape the crown, marked with stitch markers for precision. The decorative element uses slip stitch linen stitch pattern worked with two contrasting colors of yarn to create the geometric dots or stars that give the hat its distinctive geodesic appearance.

Stitches Used

• 2x1 Ribbing: Used in the brim section, creating elastic stretch and definition. This stitch is worked on US7 (4.5mm) needles at a gauge of 7 stitches per inch.
• Slip Stitch Linen Stitch: The primary stitch pattern for the main body, worked with two colors of yarn. This technique creates the signature dots or stars across the hat surface.
• Decreases: Used to shape the crown and create the hat's fitted top, marked throughout the pattern with stitch markers for accurate placement.

Materials and Tools

The Geodesic Dome Hat requires two colors of sock weight or fingering weight yarn, with 200 to 230 yards needed in each color. The project calls for US7 (4.5mm) and US9 (5.5mm) circular needles in 16-inch length, plus US9 (5.5mm) double-pointed needles for working the crown decreases. Additional notions include stitch markers to denote the start of each round and decrease locations, and a tapestry needle for finishing and securing the pompom. The specified gauge is 3.5 columns and 3 dots per inch when worked on US9 needles in the linen stitch pattern, and 7 stitches per inch in 2x1 ribbing on US7 needles.