The Knit Guru

This pattern has come about through someone reaching out with a need and a request. So I jumped on the opportunity to create and share this pattern.

There are a few sizes to this hat. I would suggest that the smallest size is more of a child’s size, the medium is an adult size, and the largest size is what I would make for my partner or anyone who has a bigger head or a lot of hair.

Given that this hat has colourwork with strands across the back, I would also recommend sizing up your needles to make sure that your tension is not too tight. You will want to make sure that you are leaving the final fabric to be able to stretch.

This pattern is written for DK (8ply, size 3 yarn) and 4.5mm knitting needles. I find that for me this makes sure that my tension isn’t too tight, but by all means, size up to a 5mm knitting needle and Aran/Worsted weight yarn if you are worried that your tension is making the project too tight.

I will give instructions for this hat to be made in both flat and circular knitting. I also have a few options within the pattern to make changes for yourselves. At some point there will be a video tutorial on my Youtube channel – but while this is mostly filmed at the time of this post, it will take me a while to edit, and to get to the point where it is ready to be shared. Rest assured, this is not a difficult pattern than requires the tutorial.

Cast on 96 (108, 120) stitches in the main colour.

Band:
Knit 2, purl 2 ribbing. To do this, knit 2 stitches, then purl the following 2. Complete this over the whole row. Here you have options.

Flat: Repeat the Knit 2, Purl 2 ribbing over 16 rows.
Circular: Connect your cast on into the round. Add a stitch marker at the end of the round. Repeat the Knit 2, Purl 2 ribbing over 16 rounds.

You also have the choice here to make either a folded brim or a flat brim as shown in the initial images.

Folded brim: Row 17: knit the whole row. Complete another 15 rows (or circular rounds) of knit 2, purl 2 ribbing.

The diamond pattern.

Follow the chart and repeat the stitch pattern over each row or round. The pattern repeats over 6 stitches but the chart is 12 stitches so that you can see how the pattern creates the diamonds more easily. Repeat these 12 stitches over the whole row or round.

Flat: Knit and purl rows alternating (Stockinette stitch). Each knit row is read right to left, and the purl rows on the wrong side of the work are read left to right. Each purl row mirrors the knit row, meaning that the stitch colours are exactly the same on the purl row following the knit row.

Circular: Knit all the rows on the chart from right to left. Remember to slip the stitch marker so that you know where the round ends. There may be a slight “jog” in your work as the pattern meets.

Small: Complete the rows of the chart 2 1/2 times. This will give you 3 grey/pink rows and 2 green/white rows (or whatever colours you have chosen)

Medium: Complete the rows of the chart 3 times. This will give you 3 grey/pink rows and 3 green/white rows (or whatever colours you have chosen)

Large: Complete the rows of the chart 3 1/2 times. This will give you 4 grey/pink rows and 3 green/white rows (or whatever colours you have chosen)

Flat: Decreasing for the crown. All sizes:
Stockinette 2 rows in the colour of your band.

1. Knit 4, knit 2 together – repeat over the whole row
2. Purl row
3. Knit 3, knit 2 together – repeat over the whole row
4. Purl row
5. Knit 2, knit 2 together – repeat over the whole row
6. Purl row
7. Knit 1, knit 2 together – repeat over the whole row
8. Purl row
9. Knit 2 together – repeat over the whole row
10. Purl 2 together – repeat over the whole row
11. Cut the yarn with a 20cm tail remaining. Thread this yarn tail through the remaining stitches and pull tight to close. Fold the hat in half, and use the yarn tail to stitch up the seam. You can swap to the yarn tails that match the diamond edges for a neater look. Darn in your ends

Circular: Decreasing for the crown. All sizes:
Stockinette 2 rows in the colour of your band.

1. Knit 4, knit 2 together – repeat over the whole row
2. Knit row
3. Knit 3, knit 2 together – repeat over the whole row
4. Knit row
5. Knit 2, knit 2 together – repeat over the whole row
6. Knit row
7. Knit 1, knit 2 together – repeat over the whole row
8. Knit row
9. Knit 2 together – repeat over the whole row
10. Knit 2 together – repeat over the whole row
11. Cut the yarn with a 20cm tail remaining. Thread this yarn tail through the remaining stitches and pull tight to close. Use this yarn tail to secure the top closed with a few stitches. Darn in your ends