Basalt Hat

This hat was inspired by the shapes of basalt rock formations such as the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. It’s knitted in the round, and features a simple colorwork pattern. The hat would work in a solid and a gradient yarn as shown here, or in two solid contrast colors. It knits up quickly, so would make an ideal gift!

Size

Head sizes vary a lot, so it’s best to measure the intended wearer if you can, and select the correct size to suit them. However, the sizes roughly equate to age ranges, as follows:

Child 20″ (50.5cm) circumference and 7.25″ (8.5cm) high

Adult 22″ (56cm) circumference and 8.25″ (21cm) high

Large Adult 24″ (61cm) circumference and 9.25″ (23.5cm) high

Yarn

Drops Fabel (75% Wool, 25% Polyamide; 225 yards [205 meters]/50 grams): 400 Black (MC), 1 ball

Drops Delight (75% Wool, 25% Polyamide; 192 yards [175 meters]/50 grams): 12 Rainbow Print, 1 ball

Or

Rico Superba Poems (75% Wool, 25% Polyamide; 460 yards [420 meters]/100 grams): 001 Candy, 1 ball

Needles

Size US 3 (3.25mm): 16” circular

Size US 2.5 (3mm): 16” circular

Size US 2.5 (3mm): double pointed needles

Notions

Stitch marker

Yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming

Gauge

32 sts and 34 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st and pattern using US 3 (3.25mm) needles.

Abbreviations

Please see our standard abbreviations.

Chart

Pattern Notes

This hat is knitted in the round, and the stitches drawn up to fasten off at the crown.

Hat

Using US 2.5/3mm needle and MC, CO 140 (160, 180) sts and join to work in the rnd, placing a stitch marker at beg of rnd.

Rnd 1: *K2 MC, P2 CC, rep from * to end of rnd.

Work this rnd another 9 times.

Change to 3.25mm needle and begin working from the chart. Work 23 (29, 35) rnds in pattern from chart.

Break off MC, change back to 3mm needle, and work in st st using CC until hat measures 5 (6, 6.25) ” or 12.5 (15, 15.5) cm tall. If you prefer a hat to have more of a slouchy shape, this is the point where you can add length.

 

Work the following decrease rnds, working 2 rnds CC, 2 rnds MC throughout, and changing to dpns when necessary.

 

Rnd 1: *K12 (14, 16), K2tog, rep from * to end of rnd; 130 (150, 170) sts.

Rnd 2: K to end.

 

Rnd 3: *K11 (13, 15), K2tog, rep from * to end of rnd; 120 (140, 160) sts.

Rnd 4: K to end.

 

Rep Rnds 3 and 4, working 1 fewer knit stitch bef the dec until you have 20 sts rem.

 

Final Rnd: *K2tog, rep from * to end of rnd; 10 sts rem.

 

Break yarn, draw through remaining sts and fasten off.

 

Finishing

Weave in ends.