Maplecider

Maplecider Knit Hat by Alicia Plummer

What is Being Made

The Maplecider is an intermediate-level knitted hat designed by Alicia Plummer. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished hat measuring 21.3 inches (54 cm) in circumference, suitable for average adult head sizes. The hat features a classic construction with ribbed edging, stockinette body sections, and decorative colorwork elements throughout.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques. The hat begins with a long-tail tubular cast on, a method that creates a professional, seamless edge ideal for ribbed sections. The pattern uses working in the round on circular needles, a technique that eliminates the need for seaming and creates a continuous fabric. Colorwork is incorporated through charted patterns, requiring the knitter to work with two colors simultaneously using the stranded colorwork method. The pattern includes crown shaping, which involves strategic decreases to taper the top of the hat to a finished point. Knitters will also use the long-tail tubular cast on setup rounds, referenced via tutorial link in the pattern.

Stitches Used

The Maplecider pattern utilizes essential knitting stitches appropriate for intermediate crafters:

• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches form the foundation of the fabric
• Ribbing (k1,p1) creates the elastic cuff, worked over 4 inches (10 cm) to provide a snug, stretchy edge that holds the hat securely on the head
• Stockinette stitch comprises the main body sections between colorwork charts, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Knit front and back (kfb) increases are used in the increase round to expand the stitch count from 124 to 128 stitches after the ribbed cuff
• Charted colorwork stitches appear in Chart A, Chart B, and Chart C, where the knitter works stockinette in two colors following a visual pattern guide

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Maplecider pattern calls for Brooklyn Tweed Loft yarn in two colorways. The main color (MC) is Woodsmoke, and one contrasting color (CC1) is also used; each requires 1 skein of Brooklyn Tweed Loft containing 275 yards in a 50-gram ball. This yardage and weight are typical for worsted or DK-weight yarn, providing good stitch definition for colorwork.

Two sets of needles are required for this pattern. US size 2 (2.75 mm) 32-inch circular needles are used for the ribbed cuff section, where the smaller needle size creates the tight gauge necessary for elastic ribbing. US size 4 (3.5 mm) 32-inch circular needles and double-pointed needles (dpns) are used for the main hat body and crown shaping. The pattern specifies a gauge of 24 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in colorwork stockinette on US size 4 needles, blocked. Additional notions include 1 stitch marker for marking the round and a darning needle for weaving in ends.

Pattern Structure and Construction

The hat construction follows a logical progression from cuff to crown. After casting on 124 stitches with the long-tail tubular method on smaller needles, the knitter works 4 inches of k1,p1 ribbing to create the cuff. The pattern then switches to larger needles and increases to 128 stitches using the kfb increase method. The main body consists of alternating sections: 4 rounds of stockinette in the main color, followed by a charted colorwork section, repeated across Chart A, Chart B, and Chart C. The final chart includes crown shaping, which tapers the hat to its finished point. This structured approach allows intermediate knitters to manage the complexity of colorwork while maintaining clear progression through the pattern.