That Hat

That Hat by Nell Ziroli

What Is Being Made

That Hat is a knitted hat design featuring an innovative twisted stitch pattern that creates a distinctive textural element. This intermediate-level project produces a finished hat available in two sizes: 21 inches and 22.5 inches in circumference, making it suitable for a range of head sizes.

Techniques Used

This design showcases specialty knitting techniques centered around creative stitch manipulation. The primary technique featured is the Twist Inc (Twist Increase), which involves inserting a double-pointed needle tip into multiple stitches, rotating them 180 degrees by swinging the needle tip to the front while moving the shaft to the back, then knitting specific stitches through the back loop and picking up stitches from the previous row. Additionally, the pattern employs a standard Twist technique using four stitches with similar needle manipulation for dimensional texture.

The hat is constructed using the in-the-round knitting method, which creates a seamless, tubular fabric. This technique is executed using circular needles and double-pointed needles, allowing for continuous rounds of knitting without seaming.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch - the foundational stitch used throughout the hat, created by alternating knit and purl rows (or knit rounds when working in-the-round)
• Twist Inc - a custom increase stitch combining through-the-back-loop knitting with yarn overs picked up from previous rows
• Twist stitch - a four-stitch manipulation technique creating textural interest
• Through the back loop (tbl) - knitting stitches from the back loop rather than the front for twisted effects

Materials Required

The pattern calls for one skein of Kismet Abundant, a luxury worsted-weight yarn blend containing washable merino, cashmere, and nylon. This yarn provides 230 yards per 100 grams, offering both softness and durability. The colorway shown in the pattern is Larc's Song.

Needle requirements include a 32-inch circular needle or 16-inch circular needle (size determined by individual gauge), a set of double-pointed needles in the appropriate size, and one additional double-pointed needle or cable needle for stitch manipulation. Stitch markers are essential, with the pattern recommending one unique marker to denote the beginning of each round.

Gauge Information

Gauge is measured in stockinette stitch and varies by finished size. For the 21-inch hat, the gauge is 10 stitches and 15 rounds over 2 inches. For the 22.5-inch hat, the gauge is 9 stitches and 14 rounds over 2 inches. Achieving proper gauge is critical for obtaining the correct finished dimensions.