Tartanesque hat

Tartanesque Hat by Atelier des Glenettes

What is Being Made

The Tartanesque hat is a textured knit hat designed by Atelier des Glenettes, available in five size options to accommodate a range of head circumferences from extra small (46–48 cm / 18–19 inches) through extra large (60 cm / 23½ inches or more). This intermediate-level knitting project features a distinctive texture pattern that creates visual interest throughout the finished garment.

Construction Method

The hat is worked from the bottom up using the circular knitting method, which creates a seamless, tubular construction. This approach is ideal for hat knitting as it eliminates the need for seaming and allows for continuous rounds of knitting. The pattern uses stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the crown.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This project employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques:

• Cast-on: The hat begins with a cast-on edge using smaller needles to create a ribbed or textured foundation.
• Stockinette stitch: The primary fabric structure, created by alternating knit and purl rows in circular knitting.
• Decreases: Multiple decrease techniques shape the crown, including k2tog (knit 2 together), k2togtbl (knit 2 together through back loop), and s2kp (slip 2 knitwise, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over), which creates a centered double decrease for symmetrical shaping.
• Increases: The kfb (knit into the front and back of one stitch) technique adds stitches where needed for shaping.
• Purl stitches: Used in combination with knit stitches to create the texture pattern that gives the hat its distinctive appearance.

Materials and Tools

The Tartanesque hat is knitted using DK weight yarn, with yardage requirements varying by size: 80 meters (90 yards) for XS, 100 meters (110 yards) for S, 110 meters (120 yards) for M, 130 meters (145 yards) for L, and 150 meters (165 yards) for XL. The pattern sample was created using (Vi)laines Faces Bleues DK yarn.

Two sizes of circular needles are required: 3.5 mm / US#4 needles for the ribbed cuff and 4 mm / US#6 needles for the main body. Additionally, four stitch markers are needed to track pattern repeats and crown decreases throughout the knitting process.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches by 26 rounds measured over 10 centimeters (4 inches) in stockinette stitch using the larger needles, measured after blocking. Proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished hat dimensions across all five size options.