Innocent Smoothie Big Knit Skater Skull Hats

Innocent Smoothie Big Knit Skater Skull Hat by Sunshine Stewart

Project Overview

The Innocent Smoothie Big Knit Skater Skull Hat is a beginner-friendly knitted hat design created by designer Sunshine Stewart. This pattern was developed as part of the Innocent Drinks Big Knit charity initiative, with finished hats intended to help raise funds for Age UK to support elderly individuals in staying warm during colder months. The design features a classic skater skull aesthetic rendered in a simple two-colour knitting pattern.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a fitted skater-style skull cap hat suitable for various head sizes. The hat combines a ribbed brim section with a charted body design that incorporates two contrasting colours to create the skull motif. The finished hat is constructed from the bottom up, beginning with the brim and progressing through the patterned body section before shaping the crown.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Two-colour knitting using a stitch chart for pattern placement
• Decreasing techniques for crown shaping
• Yarn finishing with a long tail for secure closure
• Flat or in-the-round construction depending on needle choice

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K) for foundational fabric
• Purl stitch (P) for texture variation
• Knit two together (K2tog) for decreasing across rows
• Purl two together (P2tog) for additional crown shaping

Materials Required

Yarn: DK weight yarn in two contrasting colours for the two-colour design. Needles: 4mm knitting needles. The pattern is cast on with 28 stitches, making it a relatively quick project suitable for beginners developing their skills.

Pattern Structure

The hat is constructed in three main sections. The brim begins with casting on 28 stitches and knitting three rows to create a finished edge. The body section follows a stitch chart starting with a knit row, allowing knitters to work the two-colour skull design. The crown shaping uses consecutive rows of decreases, with one row of K2tog stitches followed by a row of P2tog stitches worked all the way across, significantly reducing the stitch count and creating the fitted top of the hat.

Skill Level

Classified as a beginner pattern, this hat is accessible to knitters new to the craft. The straightforward stitch work, simple decreasing techniques, and chart-based colour work provide an excellent introduction to two-colour knitting without overwhelming complexity.

Pattern Usage and Charity Context

This pattern is offered as a free downloadable resource designed specifically for charitable fundraising. Finished hats created from this pattern are intended for personal use or charitable donation to Age UK as part of the Big Knit initiative. The pattern emphasizes that finished goods are not to be made for profit through sale, maintaining the charitable spirit of the original Innocent Drinks campaign.