Pugsley

Pugsley Beanie by Andrea Sanchez

What is Being Made

Pugsley is a fun, beanie-style hat designed by Andrea Sanchez that celebrates the charm of a furry friend. This knitted hat is available in four sizes to fit babies, toddlers, children, and small adults, with finished circumferences ranging from 14 ¼ inches to 19 ½ inches. The hat is designed to stretch up to 2 inches larger than its finished measurement, providing comfortable fit and wearability across a range of head sizes.

Knitting Techniques

Pugsley employs several essential knitting techniques to create its finished structure. The primary construction method is knitting in the round, which allows the knitter to work continuously in a circular fashion without seaming the body of the hat. The pattern also incorporates seaming for joining specific sections, and duplicate stitch, a surface embroidery technique that adds decorative detail after the main knitting is complete. These techniques combine to create both structural integrity and visual interest in the finished piece.

Stitches Used

The Pugsley pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for an intermediate skill level. The base fabric is worked in Stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic knit fabric with a gauge of 18 stitches by 24 rows over 4 inches. Shaping and decreasing are accomplished using knit two stitches together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk), both of which are right-leaning and left-leaning decreases respectively. The pattern also uses slip one, knit two together (sk2p) for additional shaping options. Basic stitches including knit (k) and purl (p) form the foundation of the design.

Materials and Tools

Pugsley is designed to be worked in Spud and Chloe Sweater yarn, a blend of 55% Superwash Wool and 45% Organic Cotton. This fiber combination offers durability, easy care, and a soft hand suitable for a hat worn close to the face. The pattern requires 160 yards (146 meters) of yarn in the main color, with 100 grams per skein. The sample shown uses Toast as the main color (MC) and Rootbeer as the contrasting color (CC), each requiring one skein.

Knitting needles required include one 16-inch US #7 circular needle (or the size needed to obtain gauge) and one set of US #7 double-pointed needles for working the crown decreases. Additional tools include a tapestry needle for seaming and finishing, and stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and construction points.

Difficulty Level

Pugsley is rated as an intermediate knitting project, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to work with circular needles, manage decreases, and incorporate decorative elements like duplicate stitch embroidery.