Pattern of the Week: Lamplighter’s Hat

Whenever I am approached by an aspiring knitter looking to get started, I nearly always advise them to start with a hat.

Hats are, in my opinion, one of the most approachable kinds of projects. They don’t require the endurance of a scarf, and they teach some of the most valuable skills a knitter can learn. Besides casting on and binding off, hats teach the early knitter how to knit in the round, the difference between purl and knits stitches, and can include more complex techniques like cables, yarn-overs, and so on.

For this year’s edition of Interweave Knits Gifts, we devoted a whole section to the marvelous miracle of hat-making. Because, even though hats can be simple, they can also be challenging, engaging, and enjoyable. As a bonus, they also make amazing, and often quick, gifts.

Probably my favorite from the collection is designer Adrienne Larsen’s Lamplighter’s Hat. The hat is knit using Ancient Arts Fibre Crafts 100% Superwash Merino DK/Light Worsted. I am in the majority who love wool for winter, particularly superwash. I also fell head-over-heels in love with the chilly purple used as the main color of the hat, a hue that is echoed in the speckled band.

Speaking of the band, this particular beanie is uniquely structured. The cabled band is worked flat before being grafted together in pattern. This provides a unique challenge for new and experienced knitters alike. The body of the hat is worked in plain stockinette, which is perfect for knitters like me who like to watch their favorite shows whilst knitting, and topped off with a pom pom in the contrasting color. The complex band combined with the simpler stretch of stockinette makes this an ideal project for knitters looking for challenging, elegant gifts this winter.

Remember to count your stitches!

Julia

Pattern Details

FINISHED SIZE 14 (14¾, 15¼, 16, 18¾, 19¼, 20)” circumference and 5½ (6, 6½, 7, 7¾, 8¼, 8¾)” tall. Hats shown measure 16″ and 19¼”.

YARN Ancient Arts Fibre Crafts 100% Superwash Merino DK/Light Worsted (100% superwash extrafine Merino wool; 220 yd [201 m]/3½ oz [100 g]): Paperweight (speckled; MC) and Roaring Twenties (gray; CC), 1 skein each.

NEEDLES Size 4 (3.5 mm): straight. Size 5 (3.75 mm): 16″ circular (cir) and set of double-pointed (dpn). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

NOTIONS Markers (m); 2 cable needles (cn); waste yarn for provisional CO; tapestry needle.

GAUGE 24 sts and 36 rnds = 4″ in St st on larger needle.

Looking for more knitted gift ideas? Check out the resources below!