Bundle your project
1 Select Size
Downloadable PDF
SoCal Hat
£4.46
Downloadable PDF
2 Select Colors
Malabrigo Rios
Solis (809)
In stock
× £12.79
Blue Sky Fibers Worsted Cotton
Mediterranean (632)
Out of stock — not added to kit
× £14.00
3 Accessories
Product Description
This quick knit hat incorporates an easy-to-memorize faux cable pattern adapted from The Stitch Collection by Debbie O'Neill. No cable needle required!
The effect is achieved using slipped stitches which are dropped every six rows. It’s somewhat terrifying the first time, but lots of fun after that. And since the slipped stitches combat pooling, SoCal works especially well with variegated yarns.
SoCal Hat by Triona Murphy
What is Being Made
The SoCal Hat is a quick-knit adult hat designed by Triona Murphy. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a finished hat with a circumference of 19 inches (48 cm) that stretches easily to fit heads up to 23 inches (58.5 cm), making it suitable for average adult head sizes. The hat is an accessible project despite its advanced difficulty rating, offering a practical and stylish accessory.
Knitting Techniques and Stitches
The SoCal Hat features a distinctive faux cable pattern that creates the visual appearance of traditional cable knitting without requiring a cable needle. This innovative technique uses slipped stitches that are deliberately dropped every six rows to achieve the textured effect. The pattern is designed to be easy to memorize, making it suitable for knitters seeking a rhythmic, repeatable stitch sequence.
The slipped stitch technique serves a dual purpose: it creates the faux cable aesthetic while also combating yarn pooling. This makes the SoCal Hat an excellent choice for variegated yarns, where color changes might otherwise create undesirable pooling effects. According to the pattern, the dropped stitch technique may feel challenging on the first attempt but becomes enjoyable and intuitive with practice.
Materials and Yarn Options
The SoCal Hat can be crafted in two distinct fiber options:
- Wool Version: Malabrigo Rios (100% superwash merino wool; 210 yards/192 meters per 100g skein); 1 skein in color Solis. This version is shown in green in the pattern photography.
- Cotton Version: Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Cotton (100% cotton; 150 yards/137 meters per 100g skein); 1 skein in color Mediterranean. This version is shown in blue in the pattern photography.
Both yarn options fall within the aran and worsted weight categories, providing appropriate yardage and weight for this project. The superwash merino option offers easy care and elasticity, while the cotton option provides breathability and a lighter drape suitable for warmer climates.
Needles and Notions
The recommended needles for the SoCal Hat are US #7/4.5 mm in both circular and double-pointed needle formats. Specifically, knitters should use a 16-inch US #7/4.5 mm circular needle and a set of four or five US #7/4.5 mm double-pointed needles. The pattern recommends checking gauge and adjusting needle sizes as needed to achieve proper fit and fabric characteristics.
Additional notions required include a stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats and a yarn needle for weaving in ends upon completion.
Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Aran, Worsted |
| Featured Products: | Blue Sky Fibers Worsted Cotton Malabrigo Rios |
| Designer: | Triona Murphy |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Advanced |
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your experience.