Curl Rib Cube Hat

Curl Rib Cube Hat by Scarlett Royale

What is Being Made

The Curl Rib Cube Hat is an intermediate-level knitted hat design created by designer Scarlett Royale. This downloadable PDF pattern produces a finished hat featuring a distinctive cube construction with curl rib detailing. The design is suitable for loom knitting enthusiasts looking to create a structured, textured hat with visual interest.

Loom Knitting Techniques

This pattern utilizes loom knitting methods, a fabric creation technique that differs from traditional needle knitting. The project employs several specialized loom knitting techniques to achieve its unique cube structure and ribbed texture:

• Double Wrap Cast On (DW CO): The pattern uses a double wrap cast on method, which involves E-wrapping each peg twice and tossing the bottom loop over the top. This cast on technique is particularly effective for universal loom projects and creates a secure foundation for the hat.
• Flat Knit (K): The basic flat knit stitch forms the foundation of the fabric, created by tossing the bottom loop over the top loop on each peg.
• Purl (P): Purl stitches are incorporated into the pattern, created by pulling the working yarn from the bottom of the stitch through to the top, removing the existing stitch, and placing the new stitch on the peg.
• Wedge Decrease (WD): This shaping technique is essential for closing the top of the hat. The wedge decrease process involves moving the wedge down one notch to the next set of pegs, moving the last set of stitches over to the wedge pegs on each side, and knitting the two stitches together on the wedge pegs.
• Draw String Bind Off (DSBO): The pattern uses a draw string bind off method to finish the hat, which involves sending a tail through every other stitch and removing the stitch after threading the tail through.

Stitches Used

The Curl Rib Cube Hat combines several fundamental loom knitting stitches to create its textured appearance. The pattern incorporates flat knit stitches as the primary fabric construction, with purl stitches integrated to create the distinctive rib detailing. The wedge decrease stitch is used for crown shaping, while the draw string bind off provides the finished edge. The combination of knit and purl stitches creates the visual curl rib texture that defines this hat design.

Materials and Equipment

The Curl Rib Cube Hat pattern requires 70 yards of aran weight yarn, making it an efficient project in terms of yardage. The pattern is designed for loom knitting and calls for any loom divisible by 10 pegs. The designer used a 128 peg 1/2" gauge universal loom for the original pattern. While a regular loom can be substituted, the pattern notes that alternative looms will require a different method for closing the top of the hat. Essential tools include a looming hook for manipulating stitches and a crafter's needle for finishing and weaving in ends.

Pattern Notes

This is an intermediate-level pattern suitable for crafters with foundational loom knitting experience. The designer has provided a video tutorial to supplement the written pattern instructions, offering visual guidance for the techniques used. The pattern's flexibility in loom size (any loom divisible by 10 pegs) allows crafters to adapt the design to their available equipment, though the specific peg count and gauge will affect the finished hat dimensions.