Rosa

Rosa Hat by Melissa LaBarre

What is Being Made

Rosa is a knitted hat designed by Melissa LaBarre, an independent designer. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished hat with approximately 17 inches [43.25 cm] in circumference and 9 inches [23 cm] in height, making it a classic-fitting hat suitable for average adult head sizes.

Craft and Primary Technique

Rosa is created using the knitting craft, which is both the primary and sole technique employed in this pattern. The hat is worked in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles, a traditional method for constructing seamless, tubular garments like hats. This construction approach eliminates the need for seaming and creates a smooth, professional finish.

Stitches and Lace Pattern

The Rosa hat features a beautiful lace pattern that repeats over a multiple of 10 stitches. The lace pattern alternates between pattern rounds and plain knit rounds, creating an elegant openwork design. Key stitches used throughout the pattern include:

• k2tog (knit 2 together): A right-leaning decrease that reduces stitch count by one
• yo (yarn over): An increase technique that creates the characteristic eyelets and openings in lace knitting
• Knit stitches and purl stitches: The foundation stitches that form the fabric base and create textural variation

The lace pattern repeats across six rounds, with alternating rounds of pattern work and stockinette sections that allow the lace motif to develop clearly and symmetrically around the hat.

Materials and Gauge

The Rosa hat pattern calls for Tern yarn by Quince & Co., a premium blend of 75% wool and 25% silk. One 50-gram skein provides 221 yards [202 meters] of yarn, which is sufficient to complete the entire hat. This yarn weight is classified as 4-ply, a medium-weight yarn that knits to a refined gauge.

The recommended gauge for Rosa is 28 stitches and 36 rounds equal 4 inches [10 cm] when working the lace pattern on the larger circular needle. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements.

Needles and Notions

The pattern requires multiple needle sizes to create proper fabric density and structure:

• One 16-inch circular needle in US size 2 [3 mm] for the ribbed cuff or initial cast-on section
• One 16-inch circular needle in US size 4 [3.5 mm] for the main lace pattern body
• One set of double-pointed needles in US size 4 [3.5 mm] for the crown shaping and final decreases when the circumference becomes too small for circular needles

Additional notions needed include a stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Difficulty Level

Rosa is rated as an intermediate knitting project. This difficulty level reflects the combination of working in the round with circular needles, understanding and executing a multi-round lace pattern with yarn overs and decreases, and managing gauge changes between different needle sizes. Knitters should have foundational skills in basic stitches and be comfortable reading pattern instructions before attempting this design.