Phare Hat

Phare Hat by Evin Bail O'Keeffe

What is Being Made

The Phare Hat is a knitted beanie pattern inspired by lighthouses perched on coastlines. The name "Phare" comes from the French word for lighthouse. This downloadable knitting pattern features slipped stitches and textured details designed to emulate the beacon of light characteristic of a lighthouse. The hat can be finished with an optional pompom for added visual interest.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

The Phare Hat pattern is available in three sizes to accommodate different head circumferences:

• Small: 38cm circumference, 21cm height (without pompom)
• Medium: 44cm circumference, 21.5cm height (without pompom)
• Large: 50.5cm circumference, 22cm height (without pompom)

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level pattern employs slipped stitches as a primary textural technique to create the visual effect of lighthouse beams. The construction uses circular knitting in the round, which is a fundamental technique for creating seamless hats. The pattern incorporates stitch pattern work throughout the body of the hat to build the textured design elements.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Phare Hat utilizes slipped stitches combined with knit and purl stitches to create the beacon-inspired texture. The pattern is worked in the round using circular needles, with the gauge established at 24 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches (10cm) in pattern. The cast-on begins with 72 stitches, providing the foundation for the hat's circumference across all three sizes.

Materials and Yarn

The pattern calls for Aran weight yarn (weight category 4 Medium), specifically recommending Bear In Sheep's Clothing Hand-Dyed Bear Cosy Aran. This yarn is composed of 100% Falkland Merino Wool and provides 174 yards (160 meters) per 100-gram skein. One skein in the Concrete Jungle-Speckle Gradient colorway is required to complete the hat.

Needles and Notions

The Phare Hat pattern requires the following tools:

• US8 (5mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches (60cm) for the ribbed cuff
• US10 (6mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches (60cm) for the main body
• US10 (6mm) double-pointed needles (optional, for working the crown decreases)
• Stitch marker for tracking rounds
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and assembling the optional pompom

Difficulty Level

The Phare Hat is rated as an intermediate knitting project. This skill level indicates that knitters should have foundational knowledge of circular knitting, working with stitch patterns, and managing decreases. The slipped stitch texture work and the transition from circular needles to double-pointed needles (if chosen) require intermediate-level competency.