Hats with Bramble pattern in Schachenmayr Universa - S6896C - Downloadable PDF

Hats with Bramble Pattern in Schachenmayr Universa – Free Knitting Pattern S6896C

This free downloadable PDF pattern from Schachenmayr (pattern reference S6896C) provides instructions for knitting a cozy, textured hat using the classic Bramble stitch (also known as the Blackberry or Persian stitch). The finished hat is designed to fit a head circumference of approximately 54–58 cm, making it a versatile adult size. The total height of the finished hat is 25 cm, creating a generous, warm fit. This is an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to explore a beautifully tactile stitch pattern.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a single knitted hat featuring a richly textured body worked in the Bramble (Persian) stitch pattern, complemented by a neat seed stitch (Pearl stitch) brim. The hat is worked flat and seamed, making it accessible to knitters who prefer straight needles over circular techniques. The double-strand construction gives the finished hat excellent warmth and structure.

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: Schachenmayr Universa in Grey Melange (shade 00197) – 150 g required. Universa is a smooth DK-weight yarn well suited to stitch definition, making it an ideal choice for showcasing the raised, bobble-like texture of the Bramble pattern.
• Important: The entire hat is worked holding two strands of yarn together throughout, which creates a thicker, warmer fabric and gives the stitch pattern a bold, sculptural appearance.
• Needles: Milward straight knitting needles in two sizes – 5 mm (for the brim) and 7–8 mm (for the main body, used with the double strand).

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Bramble Stitch (Persianermuster / Persian Pattern): The main body of the hat is worked in this classic four-row repeat stitch. The stitch count must be divisible by 4, plus 2 edge stitches. The pattern alternates between knitting three stitches together and working three stitches from one stitch (knit, purl, knit into the same stitch) on wrong-side rows, with the sequence offset every repeat to create the characteristic bobble clusters. This technique produces a dense, highly textured fabric reminiscent of bramble berries or blackberries.
• Seed Stitch (Perlmuster / Pearl Pattern): The brim is worked in seed stitch – alternating knit and purl stitches, with the pattern offset on every row so that knit stitches sit above purl stitches and vice versa. This creates a flat, non-curling, attractive edging that frames the hat neatly.
• Decreasing for the Crown: Shaping is achieved through purl two together decreases, worked evenly across the hat. After approximately 14 cm (22 rows), 16 decreases are made, reducing from 82 stitches to 66. These decreases are repeated every second row a further three times, bringing the stitch count down to 18. A final decrease row reduces this further, and the remaining 10 stitches are drawn together firmly with the working yarn to close the crown.
• Casting On and Picking Up Stitches: The main body begins with a cast-on of 82 stitches using 7–8 mm needles and double yarn. Once the body is complete, approximately 64 stitches are picked up along the cast-on edge using 5 mm needles and double yarn to work the brim downward.
• Seaming: The hat is finished by closing the side seam, joining the flat knitted piece into a hat shape.

Gauge and Sizing

The recommended tension (gauge) for this pattern is 16 stitches and 16 rows = 10 cm × 10 cm in Bramble stitch, using two strands of Schachenmayr Universa and 7–8 mm needles. Achieving the correct gauge is important for ensuring the hat fits the intended head circumference of 54–58 cm.