This hat is a worsted weight version of my original pattern, Crossing Lines Hat. It uses techniques typically reserved for lace work, and instead creates a simultaneously warm and squishy, airy and pliable, piece of fabric.

The stitch pattern itself isn’t difficult, and is easy enough to memorize. I would recommend this to an adventurous and confident beginner, but it should also be interesting and simple enough for intermediate knitters to easily enjoy. Advanced knitters may find this nice as simple TV knitting. I have embedded hyperlinks to videos or photographs that explain how to do some of the different techniques I mentioned, as well as included step by step photographs for my stitch pattern.

I used KnitPicks Chroma Worsted and KnitPicks Swish in the samples. However, if you’d rather use something from your stash, anything in worsted would be good. Keep in mind that the fiber and twist of yarn you use will affect how your pattern looks. Be sure to avoid using anything with too much of a halo like mohair. It’ll conceal the stitch pattern which relies heavily on the texture to truly shine. However, a slightly fuzzy yarn (like Chroma) can give a softer, plusher appearance.

Gauge isn’t crucial to this pattern because it is supposed to be able to fit a wide variety of sizes. However, if you are substituting a worsted weight yarn, just make sure your gauge matches that which is noted on the band and you should be good to go.

You can work this hat in the round on either double pointed needles, magic loop, or two circulars. However you normally knit hats or items in the round!

Blocking isn’t important to the pattern, but if desired, you can give the finished hat a gentle soak, shape it on a flat surface and let it dry.