Middlebury Hat

Middlebury Hat by Aubrey Baumgartner

Project Overview

The Middlebury Hat is an intermediate-level knitted hat designed by Aubrey Baumgartner and produced by Midwest Hook & Needle. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished hat using aran weight yarn, requiring approximately 218 yards of material. The design is pictured in Purl Soho Alpaca Pure in Steel Blue, though any equivalent gauge aran weight yarn will work for this project.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a classic knitted hat suitable for intermediate knitters. The hat features textured stitch work including cable crosses and bobble details that add visual interest and dimension to the finished piece. The design works from the brim upward using circular needles, transitioning to double-pointed needles as the crown decreases. An optional pom pom can be added to the top for a traditional finishing touch.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Circular knitting: The pattern uses 16-inch circular needles to work the hat in the round, eliminating the need for seaming
• Cable work: Left cross and right cross cable techniques create twisted stitch patterns throughout the design
• Bobble stitches: Make bobble (MB) instructions create textured three-dimensional details
• Decreasing: Purl 2 together (p2tog) decreases are used to shape the crown
• Transition to DPNs: The pattern transitions from circular needles to double-pointed needles for the final crown shaping as stitch count decreases

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

The Middlebury Hat uses fundamental knitting stitches combined with decorative techniques. Core stitches include knit (k) and purl (p) stitches, which form the foundation of the fabric. Stitch markers (pm) are used to denote pattern repeats and construction sections. The pattern incorporates the following specialized techniques:

• Make Bobble (MB): A multi-step technique that creates a raised bobble by working (k1, p1, k1, p1) all into one stitch, then turning and purling across, turning again, and passing stitches over to consolidate back to a single stitch
• Left Cross (LC): Slip one stitch to a cable needle and hold to the front, knit one stitch from the left needle, then knit the stitch from the cable needle
• Right Cross (RC): Slip one stitch to a cable needle and hold to the back, knit one stitch from the left needle, then knit the stitch from the cable needle
• Purl 2 Together (p2tog): A left-leaning decrease used for crown shaping

Materials and Tools Required

The Middlebury Hat requires 2 skeins totaling 218 yards of aran weight yarn. The pattern specifies Purl Soho Alpaca Pure or an equivalent gauge aran weight yarn as the primary material. The recommended gauge is 16 stitches and 22 rows per 4 inches, which determines the finished size of the hat.

Essential knitting tools include two pairs of US7 16-inch circular needles for the ribbed brim, US9 16-inch circular needles for the main body, and US9 double-pointed needles for crown decreases. Additional supplies include stitch markers to track pattern repeats, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, a cable needle for executing cable crosses, waste yarn for provisional cast-ons or stitch holders, and scissors. An optional pom pom can be attached to the crown for a finished look.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate knitting project, the Middlebury Hat is suitable for knitters with foundational skills in circular knitting and basic cable work. The combination of cable crosses, bobble stitches, and crown shaping requires comfort with multiple techniques, making it an appropriate stepping stone between beginner and advanced patterns.