Gridlines Hat
THE GRIDLINES HAT grew out of a personal challenge: to design a pattern that feels approachable for newer knitters while still offering the thoughtful details and polished finish I love in a well-fitting handknit. At first glance, the fabric might read as brioche or another advanced technique—but it’s delightfully simple! The graphic columns of color are created with an easy slipped-stitch pattern worked every other round, using just one yarn at a time.
Knit in bulky weight, this hat comes together quickly, making it a satisfying project whether you’re looking for a quick weekend knit or a cozy project for slower winter evenings. Add in the subtle magic of color-shifting yarn, and you get a design that’s as engaging on the needles as it is to wear. This one surprised me—in the best way—and has quickly become a favorite. I hope it becomes one of yours, too.
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Design & Construction: The Gridlines Hat is a classic beanie-style design featuring a 2-color mosaic stitch pattern and single-folded brim. It is worked bottom-up beginning with the brim, which is knit in 1x1 ribbing. The body of the hat is worked in a simple-to-memorize slipped stitch pattern that is repeated over two rounds.
Fit: This hat is designed to be worn with 15 to 20% negative ease. Bulky-weight yarns have more weight and drape than lighter yarns, so a bit of extra negative ease helps the hat stay snug and prevents it from sliding down as you wear it.
To choose your best size, measure your head circumference at its fullest point. Multiply this number by your preferred ease percentage, then subtract that amount from your head circumfer-ence. Select the size with a finished circumference closest to your result.
Yarn: The yarn estimates provided in this pattern are approximations, calculated to allow for both a sizable swatch and the hat, with a small margin of error. Your actual yarn usage may vary based on factors such as your personal gauge, the yarn’s characteristics (e.g., fiber content, ply, thickness), and any modifications you make to the pattern.
Additional Notes: See the Notes section of the pattern for additional info on fit and choosing the best size for you, as well as selecting yarn type, fiber content, and colors that will best compliment this design.
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SIZES
(1, 2)(3, 4, 5)Sized to fit (12 Months, Youth/Adult Small)(Adult Medium, Adult Large, Adult X-Large).
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
The circumference as measured at the widest point of the crown is as follows.
(16, 18)(20, 22, 24) in.
(40, 45)(50, 55, 60) cmThis hat is designed to be worn with 15 to 20% negative ease. The sample is shown in Size 2 with 18% negative ease.
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YARN
This pattern is designed for an overall bulky-weight fabric, which can be achieved either with a single strand of bulky yarn or by holding multiple lighter-weight yarns together. See the Notes section of the pattern for helpful tips on choosing and pairing yarns!Bulky weight
MC: (55, 65)(85, 100, 115) g/(75, 90)(115, 135, 160) yds or (70, 80)(105, 125, 145) m
CC: (30, 35)(40, 50, 60) g/(40, 50)(55, 70, 80) yds or (35, 45)(50, 65, 75) mSUGGESTED YARN
Sweet Pea & Sparrow Light Bulky (100 g/137 yds (125 m)) – 100% superwash MerinoMC: (1, 1)(1, 1, 2) skeins
Spincycle Yarns Plump (100 g/100 yds (91 m)) – 100% American wool
CC: 1 skein (all sizes)
The cream sample hat is knit in the colorways Sandbox (MC) and East of the Sun (CC). The red sample hat is knit in the colorways Warm Cloves (MC) and Space Oddity (CC).
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Needle A (body): US 9 (5.5 mm)
Needle B (ribbing): US 8 (5 mm)You will need 32 in. (80 cm) circular needles to work in the round using the magic loop method, or your preferred needles for smaller circumference knitting, such as short circular or double-pointed needles.
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Measure gauge on Needle A knit in the round, after blocking.
16 sts and 26 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in mosaic stitch pattern
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Knitting
Purling
Tubular cast-on
Decreasing
Bottom-up hat construction
Knitting in the round
Slipped stitches
Mosaic knitting
1x1 ribbing