Grandpa's Garden

Grandpa's Garden Knitted Hat by Knitted Wishes

Project Overview

Grandpa's Garden is an intermediate-level knitted hat design created by Monika Anna and published by Knitted Wishes. This downloadable PDF pattern produces a finished hat with a circumference of approximately 51 cm (20 inches) when unstretched and a height of 21.5 cm (8.5 inches) after blocking. The design is suitable for knitters with some experience who are comfortable working with colorwork techniques and multiple yarn colors.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a classic knitted hat featuring colorwork design elements inspired by a garden theme. The hat is constructed using the round method, resulting in a seamless, finished garment that requires minimal finishing work beyond weaving in ends and blocking.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Circular colorwork knitting: The primary construction method, worked in the round to create a seamless hat
• Stranded colorwork: Multiple yarn colors are carried and worked together to create the patterned design
• Decreasing techniques: Knit 2 together (k2tog) stitches are used to shape the crown of the hat
• Knit through back loop (k tbl): This variation stitch adds texture and shaping detail
• Blocking: The finished hat is blocked to achieve proper measurements and even colorwork tension

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

The pattern uses fundamental knitting stitches and techniques including cast on (CO), knit (k), purl (p), knit 2 together (k2tog), knit through back loop (k tbl), and bind off (BO). Stitch markers are used throughout to mark pattern repeats and round beginnings, helping maintain accuracy during the colorwork sections.

Yarn and Materials

Yarn: Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift, 100% Shetland wool, with a yardage of 105 meters (115 yards) per 25 grams. This is a 4-ply weight yarn that provides excellent stitch definition for colorwork patterns.

Yarn quantities by color:

• Main Color (MC) in Surf 135: 94.5 meters (103.3 yards), 22 grams
• Contrasting Color 1 (CC1) in Moorgrass 286: 47.3 meters (51.7 yards), 11 grams
• Contrasting Color 2 (CC2) in White 304: 21.0 meters (23.0 yards), 5 grams
• Contrasting Color 3 (CC3) in Yellow Ochre 230: 10.5 meters (11.5 yards), 2 grams

Needles: The pattern requires three different circular needle sizes to achieve proper gauge and shaping: US 1 (2.25mm), US 1.5 (2.5mm), and US 2.5 (3mm), all 16 inches (40 centimeters) long for circular knitting. US 1.5 (2.25mm) double-pointed needles are needed for the crown decreases when the hat becomes too small for circular needles. Needle sizes may be adjusted as needed to obtain the specified gauge.

Additional notions: A tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 32 stitches and 38 rounds equals 4 inches (10 centimeters) when worked in circular colorwork and blocked. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the hat to fit correctly at the finished circumference and height.

Design Details

The colorwork design incorporates four distinct yarn colors to create visual interest and pattern definition. The use of Shetland wool provides traditional texture and warmth, making this hat suitable for cooler weather. The intermediate difficulty level reflects the requirement to manage multiple yarn colors while maintaining even tension in stranded colorwork sections.