Harcourt Hat

Harcourt Hat by Forest City Knits

What is Being Made

The Harcourt Hat is a knitted beanie designed by Forest City Knits, available in three finished circumference sizes: Small (16-19 inches / 40-48 cm), Medium (20-23 inches / 50-58 cm), and Large (24-26 inches / 60-66 cm). This hat features a crown that is closed using a tapestry needle, and offers design flexibility with options for either a regular brim or a folded brim construction. The pattern accommodates both single-color and multi-color colorwork versions, including a 2-color option and a 4-color option for more adventurous knitters.

Techniques Used

The Harcourt Hat employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for an adventurous beginner skill level. The pattern begins with a Long Tail Cast On, a foundational technique for creating an elastic edge. The hat is worked in the round using circular needles, which allows for seamless construction and continuous colorwork. The crown is closed using a tapestry needle, requiring basic finishing skills. For those choosing the multi-color versions, the pattern incorporates two-color knitting techniques, which involve carrying and managing multiple yarn colors within rounds to create patterned sections.

Stitches Used

The Harcourt Hat uses basic knitting stitches appropriate for beginners. The primary stitches include:

• Knit (k) – the fundamental stitch used throughout the main fabric
• Purl (p) – used in combination with knit stitches to create texture and pattern variation
• Knit 2 Together (k2tog) – a decrease stitch used to shape the crown and reduce stitches as the hat tapers toward the top

The pattern also incorporates stitch markers to help track pattern repeats and round beginnings during in-the-round knitting.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Harcourt Hat is designed to be worked in worsted weight yarn or light worsted weight yarn. The recommended yarn is CaMaRose Lama Uld 1/2. Total yardage requirements vary slightly depending on brim style: the regular brim version requires 229 yards (210 meters), while the folded brim version requires 234 yards (219 meters). For knitters choosing to work the 2-color version, an additional 70 yards (64 meters) of contrasting color yarn is needed. The 4-color version requires CC1 at 40 yards (36 meters), CC2 at 25 yards (23 meters), and CC3 at 25 yards (23 meters).

Needles and Notions

The pattern calls for two sizes of circular needles: US 6 (4mm) needles for the initial crown work and US 8 (5mm) needles for the main body of the hat. A 16-inch circular needle is recommended for both sizes to accommodate the decreasing stitch count as the crown closes. A 40-inch circular needle is also needed for the Long Tail Cast On method. Essential notions include a stitch marker for tracking rounds and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and closing the crown.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 19 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) when worked on US 8 (5mm) needles in stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished hat circumference.