Morgan

Morgan Knit Hat by Emily Greene

What is Being Made

Morgan is a versatile knit beanie and watchcap pattern designed by Emily Greene for Hudson + West. This downloadable knitting pattern offers two distinct hat styles in one design: a classic beanie and an extended watchcap variation. The pattern is available in four sizes, with finished circumferences ranging from 16 inches to 21.25 inches (40.5 to 54 centimeters), making it suitable for various head sizes. The beanie version features a finished height of 8.5 inches, while the watchcap extends to 11 inches with an unfolded brim.

Construction Method

The Morgan hat is constructed in the round from the bottom edge upward, a classic approach for seamless hat knitting. This method allows for continuous circular knitting without seams, creating a smooth, professional finish. The pattern includes detailed construction notes to guide knitters through both the beanie and watchcap variations, with clear instructions for transitioning between different sizes and styles.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The primary stitch pattern employed in Morgan is 1x1 Ribbing, a fundamental knitting technique worked in the round. This rib stitch is created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a repeating pattern of 2 stitches. The 1x1 rib provides excellent stretch and recovery, making it ideal for fitted hat construction. The ribbed texture creates vertical lines that are both visually appealing and functionally beneficial, as ribbing naturally hugs the head and helps the hat maintain its shape.

Yarn and Materials

Morgan is designed to be knit with Hudson + West Co. Weld, a premium American yarn blend consisting of 70% U.S. Merino and 30% Corriedale wool. This yarn comes in a 4-ply weight with 200 yards (183 meters) per 50-gram skein. The beanie version requires 1 to 2 skeins depending on size, while the watchcap version requires 2 skeins across all sizes. Two color options are featured in the pattern: juniper for the beanie and lake for the watchcap.

The pattern calls for two needle sizes to accommodate different construction stages. Size A needles (US 2.5 / 3.0 mm) are used for the main fabric and include both a 16-inch circular needle and double-pointed needles for working the crown decreases. Size B needles (US 2 / 2.75 mm) are optional and used for a tubular cast-on technique, allowing knitters to create a particularly refined edge if desired.

Difficulty Level

Morgan is rated as an intermediate knitting project. This classification reflects the pattern's assumption that knitters are comfortable with in-the-round knitting techniques, reading pattern instructions, and managing stitches on circular and double-pointed needles. The ribbed stitch pattern itself is straightforward, but the construction method and multiple size options require moderate knitting experience.