Herringbone Hat

Herringbone Hat by Knao Knits

What is Being Made

The Herringbone Hat is a unisex beanie designed by Knao Knits using a distinctive herringbone stitch pattern. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a cosy, warm winter hat that measures 19cm in width by 25cm in length. The design is efficient and economical, requiring only a single 50g ball of yarn with all leftovers incorporated into a decorative pom pom topper.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level pattern combines multiple knitting techniques to achieve its finished structure. The hat begins with a 1x1 ribbed stitch worked over the first 13 rows (approximately 5cm), which creates an elastic, stretchy cuff that fits snugly around the head. The ribbed section is worked on 5mm needles and provides both comfort and shape retention.

The main body of the hat features the herringbone stitch, a textured stitch pattern that creates a distinctive diagonal weaving appearance. This stitch is worked on larger 8mm needles, which creates a more open fabric compared to the dense ribbing. The herringbone stitch adds visual interest and depth to the hat while maintaining warmth through its structured construction.

The pattern incorporates several shaping techniques including knit through back loop (ssk) decreases and purl two together (p2tog) decreases to gradually reduce stitches and shape the crown of the hat. The final closure involves threading yarn through remaining stitches to cinch the top closed, a common technique for creating a neat, finished crown.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Herringbone Hat is designed to work with Wool and the Gang's Feeling Good yarn in aran or worsted weight. A single 50g ball provides sufficient yardage for the entire hat, making this an economical project. The pattern requires two sets of knitting needles: 5mm needles for the ribbed cuff section and 8mm needles for the herringbone stitch body. A large-eyed sewing needle is needed for weaving in ends and closing the crown.

Tension and Sizing

Proper tension is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions. The pattern specifies tension measurements for both stitch sections:

• 1x1 Rib Stitch on 5mm needles: 26 stitches x 26 rows to a 10cm square
• Herringbone stitch on 8mm needles: 23 stitches x 16 rows to a 10cm square

The hat is designed in one size fitting most adult heads with its 19cm width measurement. The 25cm length provides adequate coverage and warmth for winter wear.

Pattern Highlights

This intermediate-level pattern is accessible to knitters with some experience while offering enough textural interest to engage more advanced crafters. The use of two needle sizes and two distinct stitch patterns demonstrates fundamental knitting skills including ribbing, textured stitches, and crown shaping. The efficient use of a single yarn ball makes this an excellent project for stash busting or gift-making, with the bonus of creating a coordinating pom pom from leftover yarn.