This pattern originally appeared on the now defunct—and much-mourned—MagKnits. It’s a great spring/summer hat that will keep you hair off your face on a breezy day, but won’t be too warm. (If you’re looking for a warm hat, just knit it in alpaca—even with the open weave, you’ll find it pretty cozy). I had fun working through this pattern in multiple weights of yarn, so you should be able to knit it in just about anything in your stash, just choose the directions for your yarn weight.
The main piece of feedback I’ve gotten on this hat is that it runs a bit snug. This wasn’t my experience (Melissa and I both have large-ish noggins, and it fits us fine), but if you’re concerned you may want to go up a needle size. It is designed to be more of a skull cap than an over-the-ears hat, so, if you want to lengthen it, just add an additional eight rounds from the sixteen-round pattern stitch before beginning the decreases.
Sport-weight version
Bulky-weight version
Worsted-weight version
Fingering-weight version
Santa Cruz Hat
This lace-stitch hat with scattered cables works well in both solid and variegated or over-dyed yarns. Stitch definition will be best with a traditional, even-weight yarn, rather than novelty yarns, such as long eyelash, or thick-and-thin yarns.
Sock-Weight
Sample Yarn: Knit Picks Essential
Yardage: One 230-yard skein makes one hat with yarn to spare
Stitches/Inch as Indicated by Manufacturer: 7-8
Needles (U.S.): Size 2, 16″ circular and double points
Cast On: 108 stitches
Ribbing: 4 rounds
16-Round Pattern Sets: 3 sets
Sport-Weight
Sample Yarn: Knit Picks Andean Treasure
Yardage: One 110-yard skein makes one hat
Stitches/Inch as Indicated by Manufacturer: 6
Needles (U.S.): Size 4, 16″ circular and double points
Cast On: 84
Ribbing: 3 rounds
16-Round Pattern Sets: 2 sets
Worsted Weight
Sample Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes
Yardage: One 110-yard skein makes one hat
Stitches/Inch as Indicated by Manufacturer: 4.5-5
Needles (U.S.): Size 7, 16″ circulars and double points
Cast On: 72 stitches
Ribbing: 3 rounds
16-Round Pattern Sets: 1 set, plus rows 1-8
Bulky Weight
Sample Yarn: Knit Picks Decadence
Yardage: One 110-yard skein makes one hat with yarn to spare
Stitches/Inch as Indicated by Manufacturer: 3-3.5
Needles (U.S.): Size 10.5, 16″ circular and double points
Cast On: 60 stitches
Ribbing: 3 rounds
16-Round Pattern Sets: 1 set
To Begin
Based on your yarn weight, cast the indicated number of stitched onto the appropriate circular needles. Place marker and close circle.
Work the indicated number of rounds of K1, P1 rib.
Body of the Hat
Work the indicated number of sets of the 16-round pattern stitch.
16-Round Pattern Stitch (repeat stitches as needed to complete each round)
Round 1: K4, (YO, K2tog) 4 times
Round 2 and all even rounds: K
Round 3: K4, (K2tog, YO) 4 times
Round 5: Place 2 stitches on cable needle and hold at back of work, K2, K2 from cable needle, (YO, K2tog) 4 times
Round 7: as round 3
Round 9: (YO, K2tog) 3 times, then as round 1, ending with YO, K2tog
Round 11: (K2 tog, YO) 3 times, then as round 3, ending with K2tog, YO
Round 13: (YO, K2tog) 3 times, then as round 5, ending with YO, K2tog
Round 15: as round 11
Round 16: K
Decreases
Work decreases as directed for your yarn weight, repeating stitches as needed to complete each round. Switch to double-pointed needles when necessary.
Decreases for Sock and Worsted Weights
Round 1: YO, K2tog
Round 2: K7, K2tog
Round 3: K2tog, YO
Round 4: K6, K2tog
Round 5: as round 1
Round 6: K5, K2tog
Round 7: as round 3
Round 8: K4, K2tog
Round 9:as round 1
Round 10: K3, K2tog
Round 11: as round 3
Round 12: K2, K2tog
Round 13: as round 1
Round 14: K1, K2tog
Round 15: as round 3
Round 16: K2tog
Decreases for Sport Weight
Round 1: YO, K2tog
Round 2: K5, K2tog
Round 3: K2tog, YO
Round 4: K4, K2tog
Round 5: as round 1
Round 6: K3, K2tog
Round 7: as round 3
Round 8: K2, K2tog
Round 9: as round 1
Round 10: K1, K2tog
Round 11: as round 3
Round 12: K2tog
Round 13: K2 tog
Decreases for Bulky Weight Yarn
Round 1: YO, K2tog
Round 2: K
Round 3: K2tog, YO
Round 4: K
Round 5: as round 1
Round 6: K4, K2tog
Round 7: as round 3
Round 8: K3, K2tog
Round 9: as round 1
Round 10: K2, K2tog
Round 11: as round 3
Round 12: K1, K2tog
Round 13: as round 1
Round 14: K2tog
Round 15: K2tog
To Finish
After finishing decreases, cut yarn, leaving a 6†tail. Thread tail though a yarn needle and run the needle through the remaining stitches on needles in a counter-clockwise direction and remove needles. Pass tail through to inside of hat. Weave in ends on inside of hat.
Don’t fret! All the Magknit patterns are available on Ravelry. You can search by MagKnits or by the designer’s name.
Hey. I just wanted to thank you for making this pattern available again, post-MagKnits. I (and many others) really enjoy it.
I cannot thank you enough for actually working out the pattern for different size yarns. I am an adequate knitter but I am not good at converting yarn sizes. This has got to be the most wonderful pattern I have ever come across. Have a wonderful day.