Harbor Cap

Harbor Cap by Fox and Folk

Garment Overview

The Harbor Cap is an intermediate-level knitted hat designed by Fox and Folk. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished cap using worsted weight yarn, requiring approximately 180 yards of yarn to complete the project. The design combines classic knitting techniques with cable stitch details to produce a sophisticated, structured hat suitable for various skill levels beyond complete beginners.

What is Being Made

This pattern produces a knitted cap designed to fit an average adult head. The Harbor Cap features a constructed crown and body worked in the round, creating a seamless, professional-looking finished garment. The hat is worked from the bottom up using circular knitting methods, resulting in a polished, finished piece without visible seams.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Harbor Cap employs several essential knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate knitters:

• Circular knitting: The entire hat is worked in the round using circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a seamless construction
• Cable stitches: Multiple cable techniques are incorporated throughout the pattern, including cables worked with a cable needle held in back and front positions
• Decreasing: Knit two together and purl two together decreases are used to shape the crown of the hat
• Stitch marker placement: Markers are used to track pattern repeats and the beginning of rounds
• Gauge-based sizing: The pattern relies on achieving proper gauge to ensure correct fit

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

The Harbor Cap pattern uses the following core stitches and abbreviations:

• K (knit) and P (purl): Fundamental stitches forming the base fabric
• K2tog (knit two together): A right-leaning decrease used for shaping
• P2tog (purl two together): A purl-based decrease for shaping
• CBK (cable 1 knit): Cable stitch worked with cable needle held in back, knitting the cable stitch off the cable needle
• CFK (cable 1 purl): Cable stitch worked with cable needle held in front, knitting the cable stitch off the cable needle
• CBP (cable 1 knit): Cable stitch worked with cable needle held in back, purling the cable stitch off the cable needle
• PM (place marker) and SM (slip marker): Techniques for tracking pattern placement
• MMU (move marker right): A specialized marker adjustment moving the marker one stitch to the right

Materials Required

Yarn: The pattern calls for worsted weight yarn, specifically LGF Suris Targhee Worsted. Approximately 180 yards (164 meters) of yarn is needed to complete the Harbor Cap. Worsted weight yarn provides excellent stitch definition, making cable details clearly visible in the finished hat.

Needles: Two sizes of circular needles are required. US 8 (5 mm) 16-inch circular needles are used for the initial cast-on and ribbing sections, while US 9 (5.5 mm) 16-inch circular needles are used for the main body and pattern work. Additionally, US 9 (5.5 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) are needed for the crown shaping when the stitch count becomes too small for circular needles.

Notions and Tools: A tapestry needle is required for weaving in yarn ends. Stitch markers are essential for tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings throughout the project. A cable needle is necessary for executing the cable stitches that define the Harbor Cap's design.

Gauge Information

The pattern specifies a gauge of 8 stitches per 2 inches (8 stitches per 5.1 centimeters) measured in stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge is critical for ensuring the finished hat fits correctly. The pattern begins with casting on 90 stitches on US 8 needles, establishing the foundation for the cap's circumference.