Ida Hat - Knitting Pattern in MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino

Ida Hat – Knitting Pattern in MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino

The Ida Hat is a beautifully crafted knitted hat pattern from MillaMia, designed in their signature Naturally Soft Merino yarn. This pattern offers two distinct size options: a children's hat sized to fit ages 2–4, 5–8, and 7–11 years, and an adults' hat sized to fit an average adult's head. Both versions are worked using the same elegant cable construction, making this a versatile pattern suitable for knitting gifts for the whole family.

What Is Being Made

The Ida Hat is a classic, fitted knitted hat featuring a repeating cable panel design that runs throughout the fabric. The result is a structured, elegant accessory that looks sophisticated while remaining a practical everyday wear piece. The cable detailing gives the hat a timeless, handcrafted quality that elevates it beyond a simple beanie. The pattern is described as looking simple yet elegant in any colour combination chosen.

Techniques Used

• Cable knitting – The primary decorative technique used throughout the hat. Cables are created by temporarily placing stitches on a cable needle and crossing them over one another, producing a twisted rope-like texture in the fabric.
• Worked flat (seamed) – The hat is knitted flat in rows rather than in the round, meaning the fabric is worked back and forth on straight needles and then seamed together to finish. This is a traditional construction method well-suited to beginners building confidence with flat knitting before tackling seaming.
• Ribbing – Typically used at the brim of hats to create a stretchy, neat edge that hugs the head comfortably.
• Tension/gauge swatch – The pattern specifies two tension measurements: 25 stitches and 34 rows to 10cm over stocking stitch, and 30 stitches and 44 rows to 10cm over pattern, both using 3.25mm needles. Working a gauge swatch is strongly recommended to ensure correct fit.

Stitches Used

• C4B (Cable 4 Back) – The signature cable stitch of this pattern. Worked by slipping the next 2 stitches onto a cable needle and holding them at the back of the work, knitting the next 2 stitches, then knitting the 2 stitches from the cable needle. This creates a right-leaning cable cross.
• Knit (k) – Standard knit stitch, fundamental to the stocking stitch sections and cable panels.
• Purl (p) – Used to create the reverse stocking stitch background that makes the cable panels stand out in relief.
• k2tog (knit two together) – A right-leaning decrease stitch used during shaping, particularly at the crown of the hat.
• Stocking stitch – Used as the base fabric reference for gauge, alternating knit rows and purl rows.
• Garter stitch – Knitting every row, referenced within the pattern abbreviations.

Materials Required

• Yarn: MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino – a sport weight yarn, sold in 50g/1¾oz balls. Both the children's hat and the adults' hat require two 50g balls. The pattern suggests specific colourways including Putty Grey (123) for the child's hat and Moss (103) for the adults' hat, with alternative colourways including Lipstick Red (165), Rain (163), Berry Haze (121), and Lilac Blossom (108 and 107). MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino is noted as being exclusively available through LoveKnitting.
• Needles: A pair of 3mm (US size 2) straight needles and a pair of 3.25mm (US size 3) straight needles are required.
• Cable needle: A cable needle is essential for working the C4B cable crosses throughout the pattern.