There Goes the Snow Plow! Hat

There Goes the Snow Plow! Hat by Alexis Hoy

What Is Being Made

This is a charming children's knit hat designed for toddlers and young children, available in two sizes: 2-3 years and 4-5 years, fitting head circumferences of 18"/46cm and 20"/51cm respectively. The hat features a whimsical design inspired by the excitement of watching snow plows pass by during winter weather. It combines practical warmth with playful styling, making it an ideal accessory for cold-weather seasons.

Techniques and Construction

The hat employs several key construction techniques to maximize both comfort and durability. A hemmed brim is a central feature, creating a double-thickness fold at the bottom edge that provides extra insulation and coverage for the ears—a critical consideration for young children in winter conditions. The designer incorporates a tassel cord at the crown, finished with square knots for a polished, professional appearance. This combination of techniques creates a hat that is both functional and aesthetically refined.

Stitches Used

While specific stitch abbreviations are not detailed in the pattern documentation provided, the construction utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for an intermediate-level project. The hemmed brim technique typically involves stockinette stitch with a turning row, while the body of the hat uses standard knit and purl combinations to create the overall fabric structure. The tassel cord construction using square knots adds a decorative finishing element beyond basic knitting stitches.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This pattern calls for sport weight yarn (CYCA Fine #2), a lightweight yet warm option ideal for children's garments. The recommended yarn is Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Sport, composed of 100% superwash merino wool. Merino wool offers natural temperature regulation, breathability, and softness against delicate skin, while the superwash treatment makes the finished hat machine-washable—a practical advantage for children's clothing.

Yarn quantities required are minimal and economical: 2 skeins of main color and 1 skein of complementary color, with each 50-gram skein providing 136 yards/125 meters of yardage. The pictured sample uses Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Sport in Navy #854 as the main color and Aran #817 as the complementary color, creating a classic and versatile colorway.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires US Size 6/4mm needles, specifically a 16"/40cm circular needle and double-pointed needles (dpn) of the same size. This needle combination is standard for working small circumference projects like hats in the round, allowing for seamless construction and even tension throughout the piece.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate knitting project, this hat is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle techniques such as working in the round, managing decreases for crown shaping, and executing the hemmed brim construction. The pattern provides an excellent opportunity to develop confidence with circular needle techniques while creating a practical, wearable garment.