The surly scotsman

The Surly Scotsman Hat by Corrina Ferguson

What Is Being Made

The Surly Scotsman is a knitted hat designed by Corrina Ferguson for Picnic Knits. This intermediate-level project creates a practical, comfortable hat available in two sizes: Small/Medium with a 20-inch circumference and Medium/Large with a 22-inch circumference (measured unstretched). The hat features a distinctive fold-up brim, making it versatile for different styling preferences and weather conditions. The design was inspired by the designer's husband's specific requirements for a hat with a generous fit and functional fold-up brim.

Techniques Used

This knitting pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate techniques suitable for knitters with some experience. The hat is worked in the round using circular needles, which creates a seamless construction. The pattern begins with a cast-on and join technique to establish the circular foundation without twisting. Knitters will practice increasing stitches evenly across a set-up round to transition from the ribbed cuff to the main pattern section. The cable and garter pattern work forms the body of the hat and requires following either charted instructions or written line-by-line directions, giving knitters flexibility in their preferred method of pattern reading.

Stitches Used

The Surly Scotsman incorporates several essential knitting stitches. The cuff begins with k2, p2 ribbing (knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches), which creates an elastic, textured edge that stretches and recovers well—ideal for a fold-up brim that maintains its shape. The main body features a cable and garter pattern that repeats over 20 rounds. Garter stitch (alternating knit and purl rows or rounds) provides texture and structure, while cable stitches add visual interest and dimension to the finished hat. Even increases are used in the set-up round to expand the stitch count from the ribbed section to accommodate the patterned body.

Materials and Yarn Weight

This pattern requires 180 to 200 yards of worsted or aran weight yarn, depending on which size is being knitted. Worsted weight yarn (also called medium or #4 weight) and aran weight yarn (slightly heavier, #5 weight) are both suitable for this project, offering good stitch definition for the cable and garter pattern work. The yardage is modest, making this an excellent project for using yarn from stash or smaller skeins. Knitters will need circular needles appropriate for the yarn weight and cast-on stitch count, typically in sizes suitable for worsted or aran yarn. The pattern specifies working with circular needles throughout, which is essential for the in-the-round construction.

Finished Dimensions

The hat measures approximately 9 to 9.5 inches in length from the cast-on edge, depending on size. The Small/Medium size accommodates a 20-inch head circumference, while the Medium/Large size fits a 22-inch circumference. These measurements are taken on the unstretched fabric, so the ribbed brim will stretch slightly when worn for a comfortable, secure fit.