Truckee River Hat in Cascade Yarns Pacific Chunky - C359 - Downloadable PDF

Truckee River Hat in Cascade Yarns Pacific Chunky — Free Knitting Pattern by Shannon Dunbabin

The Truckee River Hat is a free, beginner-friendly knitted hat pattern designed by Shannon Dunbabin and published by Cascade Yarns. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern produces a classic, stretchy beanie worked entirely in the round using a satisfying combination of ribbing and a simple two-row stitch pattern. The result is a cozy, structured hat with excellent stretch and a clean, modern look suited to everyday wear.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

The pattern is offered in three sizes to fit a range of head circumferences:

• Small: fits a 16"–18" head; finished circumference of 14" unstretched; 6.5" tall
• Medium: fits an 18"–20" head; finished circumference of 16" unstretched; 7.5" tall
• Large: fits a 20"–22" head; finished circumference of 18" unstretched; 8.5" tall

Because the hat is knitted with a negative ease of approximately 2", it hugs the head comfortably without being overly tight, which is typical and desirable in ribbed hat construction.

Materials and Yarn

The pattern calls for Cascade Yarns Pacific Chunky, a workhorse yarn blending 60% Acrylic and 40% Superwash Merino Wool. Each skein contains 100 g (3.5 oz) and 120 yards (110 m), and only one skein is needed to complete any size of this hat. The sample shown uses color #70, Classic Blue. The superwash merino content adds softness and warmth against the skin, while the acrylic component contributes durability and ease of care — an ideal combination for a frequently worn accessory like a winter hat.

Needles and Tools

• US 9 (5.5 mm) circular knitting needles — used for the body of the hat
• US 9 (5.5 mm) double pointed knitting needles (DPNs) — used when transitioning to the crown decreases as the stitch count reduces
• Yarn needle — for finishing and weaving in ends
• 1 stitch marker — to mark the beginning of each round

The gauge is 17 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in pattern, which is important to check before beginning, especially since the hat is sized precisely to achieve the intended negative ease and finished height.

Techniques and Construction

The Truckee River Hat is worked in the round from the brim to the crown, making it a seamless construction with no sewing required. This approach is ideal for beginners learning circular knitting, as it eliminates the need to purl on wrong-side rows and produces a smooth, continuous fabric.

• Cast on: 64, 72, or 80 stitches depending on size, joined carefully to avoid twisting
• Brim ribbing: K2, P2 ribbing worked for 1", 1.5", or 2" depending on size — a classic ribbing structure that creates a stretchy, form-fitting edge
• Body pattern: A two-round repeat alternating a K2, P2 round with a plain knit round, creating a subtle textured fabric that is more visually interesting than plain stockinette while remaining very approachable for beginners
• Crown decreases: A 13-round structured decrease sequence using P2tog (purl two together) and K2tog (knit two together) to gradually taper the crown to a neat, closed top
• Finishing: Yarn is broken and threaded through remaining live stitches using a yarn needle, then pulled tight to close the crown — a standard and secure hat finishing technique

Stitches Used

• K (Knit)
• P (Purl)