Lapwing

Lapwing Knit Hat by Melissa Schaschwary

What Is Being Made

The Lapwing is a knitted hat designed by Melissa Schaschwary. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished hat measuring 8.5 inches deep and 22 inches wide, fitting head circumferences of 21 to 22 inches. The hat is worked in the round using circular knitting needles, resulting in a seamless construction.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to shape the hat. The pattern begins with a Long Tail cast-on method to establish 124 stitches. The body is worked in stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric. Decreasing is accomplished through structured decrease rounds that gradually reduce the stitch count, shaping the crown of the hat. The pattern includes multiple repeat cycles of decrease rounds to taper from the full width to the crown opening. Finally, the remaining stitches are cut and pulled through to secure the top of the hat.

Stitches and Abbreviations

The Lapwing pattern uses fundamental knitting stitches and techniques:

• K – Knit stitch
• P – Purl stitch
• K2tog – Knit two stitches together (a right-leaning decrease)
• SsK – Slip, slip, knit (slip the next two stitches, then knit them together through the back loops, creating a left-leaning decrease)
• C/o – Cast on
• St(s) – Stitch or stitches
• Pm – Place marker
• Sm – Slip marker

Yarn and Materials

The Lapwing is designed to work with fingering weight or 4-ply yarn. The suggested yarn is Augustbird Rich Sock, which requires one skein containing 435 yards (398 meters) and weighs 100 grams. The pattern accommodates yarn weights of 3-ply and 4-ply, offering flexibility in material choice while maintaining the intended gauge.

Knitting needles required include one 16-inch circular needle in US size 5 (3.75 millimeters) for working the main body in the round, and four US size 5 (3.75 millimeters) double-pointed needles for the crown decreases when the stitch count becomes too small for the circular needle. Additional notions include five stitch markers to track pattern repeats and construction points, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 26 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch. This gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements and fit. The hat is designed in one size, fitting a standard adult head circumference of 21 to 22 inches.