Knitted Hats in Hayfield DK with Wool - 7366 - Downloadable PDF

Knitted Hats in Hayfield DK with Wool – Pattern 7366: Four Festive and Fun Designs for Ages 4 to Adult

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Hayfield presents four charming and distinctive hat designs, all worked in Hayfield DK with Wool yarn. The collection spans sizes from 4 years through to adult, making it a versatile choice for knitters who want to create coordinating hats for the whole family. Each design has its own personality, from playful striped pompom hats to a festive Santa hat complete with a detachable beard. The pattern is suitable for knitters with a solid grasp of basic techniques, and the clear size guidance ensures a well-fitting result across all age groups.

Materials and Tension

All four designs are knitted using Hayfield DK with Wool (shade reference F046), a double knitting weight yarn that combines the softness of DK construction with the natural warmth and elasticity of wool content. Each design requires one 100g ball per shade used, regardless of size, making this an economical pattern that works well for using up existing stash yarn in the specified shades.

The needles required are:

• 4mm needles (UK 8 / USA 6) – the primary needle size used for the main body of each hat
• 3¼mm needles (UK 10 / USA 3) – used for ribbed or tighter-tension sections such as brims and edgings
• A stitch holder is also required for the Striped Hat with Pom Poms

Two tension gauges are specified, both measured over 4mm needles:

• 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10cm over stocking stitch
• 21 stitches and 40 rows to 10cm over garter stitch

Achieving the correct tension is emphasised as essential to ensure the hat fits the intended head size accurately. Knitters are advised to adjust needle size accordingly — using a thinner needle if fewer stitches are produced, and a thicker needle if more stitches appear.

Design One: Striped Hat with Pom Poms

The Striped Hat with Pom Poms is a classic, bold design worked in two contrasting shades of Hayfield DK with Wool. The yarn shades used are:

• Main shade 109 – one 100g ball
• Contrast shade 110 – one 100g ball

This hat uses a stitch holder during construction, suggesting that sections of the hat are worked separately or held while other parts are completed, adding a degree of shaping or structural detail. The striped colourwork is achieved through straightforward colour changes at regular intervals, creating a visually striking horizontal stripe pattern. The addition of pom poms gives the finished hat a playful, fun aesthetic that is particularly appealing for children but equally charming for adults. Pom poms are typically made separately using a pom pom maker or cardboard template and then sewn securely to the crown of the hat.

Techniques and Stitches

• Stocking stitch – the primary fabric stitch, creating a smooth knitted surface
• Striped colourwork – simple two-colour stripe sequences worked by changing yarn at row edges
• Decreasing – used to shape the crown of the hat
• Pom pom making – a finishing technique applied after knitting is complete
• Use of a stitch holder for managing live stitches during construction

Design Two: Pointed Pull On Hat with Ears

The Pointed Pull On Hat with Ears is a whimsical, character-led design that uses three shades of Hayfield DK with Wool, making it the most colourful of the four designs in the collection. The shades used are:

• A shade 109 – one 100g ball
• B shade 110 – one