Candleflame Hat

Candleflame Hat by Alicia Plummer

What is Being Made

The Candleflame Hat is a downloadable knitting pattern for a beginner-friendly hat designed by Alicia Plummer. This project creates a fitted, warm hat suitable for small to medium head sizes, with optional styling variations. The finished hat measures 15.25 inches or 17.5 inches in circumference (39 to 44.5 cm) and stands 6 to 7 inches tall (15.5 to 18 cm) when unstretched, fitting heads ranging from 18 to 21.5 inches around (45.5 to 54.5 cm). The design is completed with a large faux fur pompon accent at the crown.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for beginners. The hat is worked in the round using circular needles or double-pointed needles (DPNs), a core method for creating seamless cylindrical garments. The pattern includes options for a single brim or double brim construction, allowing knitters to choose their preferred finishing method. Stitch markers are used throughout to track pattern repeats and shaping. The design incorporates basic increases and decreases typical of crown shaping, and finishing involves weaving in ends with a darning needle.

Stitches Used

The Candleflame Hat pattern is worked primarily in stockinette stitch, the most fundamental knit stitch pattern. The pattern section creates texture and visual interest through a stitch pattern worked over a 4-inch (10 cm) square. Knitters will work multiple rounds in the established pattern before shaping the crown. The double brim option requires additional circular needle work to create the layered edge detail.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The recommended yarn is Swift Yarns Swift Cozy DK in the colorway Pumpkin Spice, which is composed of 100% merino wool. Each skein contains 250 yards (229 meters) and weighs 4 ounces (115 grams). For the single brim version, knitters will need 110 yards for the smaller size or 145 yards for the larger size. The double brim version requires an additional 30 to 40 yards depending on size selection, bringing total yardage to 140 to 185 yards.

The pattern calls for US 5/3.75 mm needles for the ribbed cuff and main body sections, and US 7/4.5 mm needles for any sections requiring slightly looser gauge. Both needle sizes should be 16 inches (40 cm) circular needles, with double-pointed needles available as an alternative for the body. Knitters selecting the double brim option will need a second US 5/3.75 mm or smaller circular needle.

Gauge Information

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this pattern to fit correctly. When measured in the pattern stitch over a 4-inch (10 cm) square in an unstretched state, the gauge is 22 stitches and 32 rounds. When gently stretched, the gauge adjusts to 18 stitches and 28 rounds, providing flexibility for different wearing preferences and yarn characteristics.

Additional Notions

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires six stitch markers to track repeats throughout the hat, a darning needle for weaving in yarn ends after completion, and one large faux fur pompon for the crown finish. These notions are essential for completing the project as designed.