Kite Beach Hat

Kite Beach Hat by Marielle Zatar

What is Being Made

The Kite Beach Hat is a slouchy knit hat designed by Marielle Zatar, inspired by relaxing winter days at Jumeirah's Kite Beach in Dubai. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a comfortable, relaxed-fit hat suitable for casual wear. The design is sized for a head circumference of 21.5-22 inches (55-56 centimeters), making it a versatile accessory for most adult wearers.

Knitting Techniques

This hat is knit in the round, a fundamental technique for creating seamless cylindrical garments. The pattern offers flexibility in construction method, allowing knitters to choose between two popular circular knitting approaches:

• Magic Loop Method: A technique using a single circular needle to work small circumferences by creating a loop with the cable
• DPNs (Double-Pointed Needles): A traditional method using a set of four or five needles to work in the round

The hat begins with a ribbed cuff, which provides elasticity and helps the hat stay securely on the head. The slouchy silhouette is achieved through the shaping and stitch patterns worked after the ribbing section.

Stitches Used

The Kite Beach Hat employs fundamental knitting stitches combined with shaping decreases:

• Knit (K): The basic knit stitch, used throughout the stockinette sections
• Purl (P): Used in the ribbing pattern to create texture and elasticity
• Yarn Over (Yo): Creates decorative eyelets or lace elements for visual interest
• Knit Two Together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease used for shaping the crown
• Slip, Slip, Knit (Ssk): A left-leaning decrease providing balanced shaping
• Pass Slipped Stitch Over (Psso): An alternative decrease technique used in conjunction with other decreases
• Slip One Knitwise (Sl1): Used to move stitches without working them, essential for decrease techniques

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Kite Beach Hat requires approximately 175 yards (160 meters) of fingering weight yarn, also known as 4-ply weight. This lightweight yarn allows for delicate drape and breathability, making it ideal for a beach-inspired accessory.

Suggested Yarn: The pattern recommends Dubai Knits in the colorways Faith, Hope, or Love. This yarn is a luxurious blend of 50% silk and 50% merino wool, combining the softness and sheen of silk with the temperature-regulating properties of merino wool—perfect for a hat inspired by beach days.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern requires two sets of needles in different sizes to achieve proper fabric structure:

• 3.0mm (US 3) Needles: Used for the ribbed cuff to create a snug, elastic edge
• 3.5mm (US 4) Needles: Used for the main body of the hat to achieve the correct gauge

The required gauge is 24 stitches over 10 centimeters (4 inches) when measured in stockinette stitch using the 3.5mm needles. Knitters should work a gauge swatch before beginning the hat to ensure proper fit. Note that row gauge is not critical for this pattern.

Additional Supplies

Beyond yarn and needles, knitters will need stitch markers to denote the beginning of rounds and to track pattern repeats throughout the construction of the hat.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, the Kite Beach Hat is suitable for knitters with foundational skills in circular knitting and basic decreasing techniques. The pattern assumes familiarity with knitting in the round and the ability to read knitting abbreviations and follow shaping instructions.

Pattern design and images copyright 2017 Zatarknits. This pattern is for personal use only.