Street Lamps

Street Lamps Hat by Gege à la Gomme

What is Being Made

Street Lamps is a reversible knitted hat featuring cabling details positioned around the brim. The design is engineered to create two distinct hats in one by utilizing a contrasting color for the internal lining, allowing knitters to wear either the main color or contrasting color as the exterior depending on preference.

Knitting Techniques Used

This hat employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for intermediate crafters. The primary construction method involves magic loop knitting using long circular needles, which allows for seamless in-the-round construction without the need for double-pointed needles. The pattern also accommodates traditional double-pointed needle (dpns) knitting as an alternative method for those who prefer this approach.

Cable work is central to the design aesthetic. The pattern utilizes left twist (LT) cable techniques around the brim, which creates textured visual interest and structural definition at the hat's lower edge.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

• Knit stitch (k) – the fundamental stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl stitch (p) – used in combination with knit stitches for textural variation
• Knit two together (k2tog) – a decrease stitch used for shaping the crown
• Left twist (LT) – a cable technique worked by knitting the second stitch through the back loop without dropping it from the needle, then knitting the first stitch before dropping both stitches, creating a twisted cable effect

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The pattern calls for worsted weight yarn, specifically Malabrigo Rios and Malabrigo Merino Worsted. The main color (MC) requires 1 skein of Malabrigo Rios in the Indiecita colorway (100% merino wool, 210 yards/192 meters per 100 grams/3.5 ounces). The contrasting color (CC) uses 1/2 skein of Malabrigo Merino Worsted, also in Indiecita, which should be distinctly different from the main color selection.

Needles and Tools: The pattern requires 1 set of 4mm (US 6) circular needles, 60 inches long for magic loop knitting, or alternatively a set of 5 double-pointed needles in the same size. A second set of 3.75mm (US 5) needles in the same format (60-inch circular or 5 dpns) is needed for ribbing or finishing sections. Additional tools include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Pattern Summary

Street Lamps is a straightforward, reversible hat design that combines simple stockinette stitch fabric with decorative cable work at the brim. The two-color construction creates visual versatility, making it an excellent project for knitters looking to explore both colorwork planning and basic cable techniques. The use of worsted weight yarn ensures relatively quick project completion while maintaining structural integrity and warmth.