Tenth Wave

Tenth Wave Hat by knitforsweet

What is Being Made

The Tenth Wave is a downloadable knitting pattern for a hat designed by Natalie Pelykh. This design offers versatility with two construction options: a hat with earflaps or a hat without earflaps. The pattern includes eight size options, with brim circumferences ranging from 18 inches to 23.6 inches (46 to 60 centimeters), making it suitable for a range of head sizes from children to adults.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques that add visual interest and texture to the finished hat. The pattern features cable work, which creates raised, twisted stitch patterns characteristic of traditional knit design. The construction uses circular needles for seamless knitting in the round, a technique that produces a polished, professional finish without requiring seaming. The pattern includes both increases and decreases to shape the crown of the hat, with specific abbreviations for left-leaning increases (M1L) and decrease methods such as knit two together (k2tog) and knit three together (k3tog) used strategically throughout the design.

Stitches Used

The Tenth Wave incorporates a variety of stitches to create its distinctive appearance:

• Ribbing: The pattern uses alternating knit 2, purl 2 (k2, p2) ribbing, which provides elasticity and helps the hat maintain its shape
• Cable stitches: Two specific cable techniques are employed: a 4-stitch left cross cable (4-st LC) and a 2-stitch left cross cable (2/2 LCP), both created by slipping stitches to a cable needle and holding them to the front before working the remaining stitches
• Knit and purl: Basic stockinette and reverse stockinette stitches form the foundation of the pattern
• Decreases: The pattern uses k2tog and k3tog decreases to shape the crown
• Increases: Left-leaning increases (M1L) are used to add stitches where needed

Materials and Gauge

The Tenth Wave pattern calls for Louisa Harding Yarns Ianthe, a DK weight yarn composed of 50% wool and 50% cotton. This fiber blend offers breathability and durability, making it suitable for a hat that can be worn across seasons. Yardage requirements vary by size: hats with earflaps require between 80 and 110 grams (approximately 80-110 meters based on the yarn's 100-meter per 50-gram specification), while hats without earflaps require 50 to 80 grams.

The pattern is worked on circular needles in US sizes 2 (2.75 mm) and US 3 (3.25 mm), or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. The recommended gauge is 22 stitches and 30 rows over 10 by 10 centimeters when working ribbing with US 3 needles after blocking. Two stitch markers are required to track pattern repeats and construction sections. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished hat size and ensuring proper fit.