The Antoni hat

The Antoni Hat by Jean-Philippe Cliche

What is Being Made

The Antoni Hat is a knitted beanie designed by Jean-Philippe Cliche. This hat is worked from the bottom up in a classic rib pattern and features a medium size that fits head circumferences of 53-58cm (21-23 inches). The design combines fingering weight yarn in a main color with a delicate lace weight accent, creating a textured and visually interesting finished piece suitable for everyday wear.

Knitting Techniques Used

This beginner-friendly knitting project employs several fundamental techniques that make it accessible to newer knitters while producing a polished result. The hat is worked in the round using circular needles, which is a core technique for creating seamless, tubular garments. The pattern utilizes the magic loop technique as an option for shaping the crown, or alternatively, double-pointed needles can be used when stitches no longer fit comfortably on the circular needle. The hat is constructed from the bottom up, meaning knitters begin at the brim and work toward the crown, allowing for easy adjustments to fit.

Stitches Used

The Antoni Hat features a 2x1 rib stitch throughout the design, which creates vertical columns of texture and provides excellent stretch and recovery. This rib pattern is worked as knit 2, purl 1 (k2, p1) in repeating rounds. The ribbed construction gives the hat a classic, fitted appearance while maintaining elasticity for comfortable wear. The gauge for this pattern is 17 stitches and 30 rounds per 4 x 4 inches (10 x 10 cm) when worked unstretched on 4mm needles.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

• Main Color Yarn: Fingering weight, worked with 2 strands knitted together. One 100-gram skein is required, though approximately 80 grams will be used for the finished hat.
• Secondary Color Yarn: Lace weight, which can be either 2 strands of mohair or 1 strand of baby suri. One 50-gram skein is required, with approximately 25 grams needed for completion.
• Needles: 4mm (US 6) circular needles measuring 40cm (16 inches) for the main body, and 4mm (US 6) double-pointed needles for crown shaping if the magic loop technique is not used.
• Additional Tools: 6 stitch markers (including one distinct marker to indicate the beginning of each round) and a wool needle for weaving in ends.

Pattern Notes

The Antoni Hat is designed as a downloadable PDF pattern by independent designer Jean-Philippe Cliche. The pattern is worked in DK and lace weight yarns, combining the structure of fingering weight with the delicate texture of lace weight accents. The beginner difficulty level makes this an excellent project for knitters developing their in-the-round skills and crown shaping techniques. After completing the knitting, finishing involves weaving in all yarn ends to create a polished, professional appearance.