Ludd

Ludd Hat by Helena Granholm

What is Being Made

Ludd is a knitted hat design created by independent designer Helena Granholm. This downloadable PDF pattern produces a finished hat suitable for beginners to intermediate knitters. The design features a distinctive textured body with a shaped crown, making it a classic and versatile headwear project.

Techniques Used

The Ludd hat employs several fundamental knitting techniques that make it accessible for beginner-level knitters while maintaining visual interest. The pattern uses two strands of yarn held together throughout the project, which creates a thicker fabric and speeds up the knitting process. The hat is worked in the round, requiring a transition from circular needles to double-pointed needles (DPNs) when the circumference becomes too small for comfortable circular needle work. The pattern incorporates knit through the back loop (Ktbl) to create textured stitches, and knit two together (K2tog) decreases for crown shaping.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) – the fundamental stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl (P) – used in combination with knit stitches to create textured ribbing
• Knit through the back loop (Ktbl) – creates twisted stitches for added texture and visual definition
• Knit two together (K2tog) – a right-leaning decrease used throughout the crown shaping sequence

Pattern Structure

The hat body is constructed using a 12-round repeat pattern that is worked five times total. The initial rounds establish a stockinette base, followed by textured rounds combining Ktbl and purl stitches in varying sequences: [K1tbl, P1] and [K1tbl, P1, K1tbl, P3] repeats create visual interest and elasticity. After completing the body pattern repeats, crown shaping begins with strategic decreases worked over four rounds, reducing stitches progressively to close the top of the hat.

Materials and Yarn

The Ludd pattern specifies Penny Lane Yarns in two distinct fiber blends. The main body uses Fingering Lane, a 100% merino superwash yarn available in 100g skeins (400m/437yd), with approximately 40g required. The accent yarn is Kidsilk Lane, a luxurious blend of 72% kid mohair and 28% silk in 50g skeins (420m/459yd), with approximately 15g needed. The sample shown was knitted in the Crispino colorway. The pattern specifies working with a 4-ply yarn weight and recommends using larger needles for the body before transitioning to appropriately-sized DPNs for the crown.

Gauge and Needle Requirements

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit. The pattern specifies 24 stitches and 28 rows over 10 centimeters when worked with the larger needle, blocked and slightly stretched. Knitters are advised to select needle sizes that produce this gauge after blocking, as proper tension ensures the finished hat will have the intended dimensions and drape. The pattern requires both circular needles and double-pointed needles in appropriate sizes to match the specified gauge.