Seed Stitch Chic Hat

Seed Stitch Chic Hat by Marly Bird

What Is Being Made

The Seed Stitch Chic Hat is a beginner-friendly knitted hat designed by Marly Bird. This quick-knit project works up in just a few hours, making it an ideal choice for beginner knitters or social knitters seeking a straightforward, portable knitting project. The hat features a classic seed stitch pattern that creates visual texture and interest while remaining accessible to newer knitters.

Craft and Techniques

This project uses knitting as the primary craft method. The hat is constructed using seed stitch, a fundamental knitting technique that alternates knit and purl stitches to create a bumpy, textured fabric. Seed stitch is an excellent stitch pattern for beginners because it teaches basic stitch fundamentals while producing an attractive, reversible fabric. The pattern employs circular knitting on double-pointed needles, a traditional method for constructing seamless hats from the crown down or bottom up.

Stitches Used

• Seed Stitch: The primary stitch pattern, created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a regular sequence to produce an even, textured surface
• Knit and Purl Stitches: The foundational stitches that combine to form the seed stitch pattern

Materials and Gauge

The Seed Stitch Chic Hat requires one ball of Red Heart Chic Sheep by Marly Bird yarn (Art. R170), which is 100% Merino Wool in the worsted weight category. Each ball contains 3.5 oz (100 g) and provides 186 yards (170 m) of yarn. The recommended color shown is Creme de Mint.

Needles required include a 4.5mm (US 7) set of double-pointed needles and a 5mm (US 8) set of double-pointed needles, specifically a 16-inch (40.5 cm) set of 5 double-pointed needles in the larger size. Additional notions include a stitch marker to track pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for burying yarn ends.

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 27 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in the seed stitch pattern. Achieving proper gauge is essential for ensuring the finished hat fits correctly and maintains the intended fabric characteristics and drape of the Merino Wool yarn.