Flat-Knit Colourblock Pom Hat
No circular needles needed: knit flat on straights, shape the crown, then seam. Two colours, one pom-pom.
- Yarn
- Worsted (4) in two colours (A and B).
- Needles
- US 8 (5 mm) straight needles
- Sizes
- Any size from preemie to adult large. Use the Finished hat and Height columns of the hat size chart. Example: teen/adult small, 20.5 in (52 cm) finished, 8 in (20 cm) tall.
- Example gauge
- 18 sts and 24 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette
- Yarn needed
- About 150 yd (135 m) worsted, split roughly 60% A / 40% B, plus pom-pom.
- Stitch multiple
- 8 + 2 (2 seam stitches)
Do the math
The examples use the gauge above. Put your own swatch into the gauge calculator first, then use your numbers in each formula.
| Step | Formula | Example | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cast on | finished hat circumference × sts per in, rounded to a multiple of 8, plus 2 seam sts | 20.5 × 4.5 = 92.25 → 96 + 2 = 98 sts | Cast-On Calculator |
| Sts per section | (cast on − 2) ÷ 8 | 96 ÷ 8 = 12 | By hand |
| Crown depth | (section sts − 1) × 2 rows ÷ rows per in | 22 ÷ 6 ≈ 3.7 in | By hand |
Materials
- Worsted (4) yarn (see yarn needed)
- US 8 (5 mm) straight needles
- Tapestry needle
- Pom-pom maker (optional)
Gauge swatch
Stockinette swatch, flat.
Instructions
Brim
With A, cast on (example: 98 sts). Every row: *K1, p1; rep from * to end. Work 2 in (5 cm).
Body
Work stockinette (knit RS, purl WS) in A for 1.5 in, then change to B. Continue until the hat measures height − crown depth (example: 4.3 in).
Crown (RS rows)
Row 1 (RS): K1, *k10, k2tog; rep from * 7 more times, k1. (example: 90 sts)
Row 2 and every WS row: Purl.
Continue, knitting 1 fewer stitch before each k2tog on every RS row, until the row reads k1, *k2tog* × 8, k1. (10 sts)
Finishing
- Draw yarn through remaining sts. Use the tail to mattress-stitch the back seam, 1 edge stitch in from each side.
- Make a pom-pom and tie it on through the crown.
Designer’s notes
- Swap the order for a darker brim: B brim, A top.
- Mattress stitch on the RS makes the seam almost disappear.
Counter set-up
Counter 1: rows. Counter 2: crown decrease rows.
Open the row & stitch counter for several counters, or use the quick one below.
Want it on paper? This pattern is in Quick Gifts in an Evening, a printable PDF of 12 patterns with photos and row tallies ($8).
Tools for this pattern
- Gauge CalculatorEnter your swatch counts to get stitches and rows per 4 in (10 cm).
- Cast-On CalculatorEnter your width and gauge; it rounds to the stitch multiple for you.
- Size ChartsLook up the finished measurements for the size you are making.
- Yarn Quantity CalculatorPick the project, size and yarn weight to get total yardage and skeins to buy.
- Row & Stitch CounterSet up the counters listed below; the screen stays awake while you work.