Hearts Checkered Hat

Hello my fellow knitters! While Valentine's Day has passed, the spirit of love and warmth lingers on, making it the perfect time to dive into a delightful knitting project. My Valentine-themed design for this year is a charming hat adorned with a sweet heart pattern, perfect for gifting to your loved ones or treating yourself to a handmade treasure. Whether you're an experienced knitter or just starting out on your yarn-filled adventures, this project promises to be both enjoyable and rewarding. So grab your needles, pick out your favorite yarn, and let's knit up some love together!

Overview:

• Skill level: Intermediate.
• Instructions style: written pattern + video tutorial.
• Sizes: this hat is available in two sizes, Size S and Size M/L (see detailed measurements below). 

Size S (left) and size M/L (right)

Get the ad-free, printable PDF of this pattern from my store:

• Ravelry 
• Etsy

Or click here to jump to the instructions.

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Materials:

• Suggested yarn: Alize Burcum Classic, (100% acrylic, 3.5 oz (100 g), 230 yards (210 m), in the following colors and quantities: "brown" 239 (1 skein), "red" 106 (1 skein).
• Circular knitting needles, 16" (40 cm) long, size US 8 (5 mm).
• Double pointed needles (DPNs) set, size US 8 (5 mm).
• Tapestry needle.
• Ring stitch marker.

Sizes and measurements:

• Size S: head circumference = 19" - 21" (48 - 53 cm), height = 8.5" (22.5 cm).
• Size M/L: head circumference = 21.5" - 23" (55 - 58.5 cm), height = 9" (23 cm).

Gauge: 20 sts and 25 rounds = 4"x 4" (10 cm x 10 cm) in garter stitch.

Yardage: 

• Size S: 130 - 135 yards (120- 125 m), approx.
• Size M/L: 150- 155 yards (135- 140 m), approx.

Knitting Terms:

• st: stitch.
• sts: stitches.
• k: knit.
• p: purl.
• ssk: slip stitch, slip stitch, then knit the two stitches together.

Instructions:

Note: the main yarn (in gray) will be referred to as yarn (A), the secondary yarn (in red) will be referred to as yarn (B).

With yarn (A), cast on 80 (90) sts. Join in the round. Don't know how to join in the round? here is a short tutorial on how to do it (from 0:26 - 1:15 min):

Put a ring stitch marker at the beginning of rounds, work as follows:

Rib round: k 1, p 1, repeat to end.

Repeat the rib round eleven (twelve) more times.

Garter pattern:

Round 1: k 1, p 1, repeat to end.

Round 2: p 1, k 1, repeat to end.

Always work this pattern with yarn (A) when mentioned.

General pattern:

Rounds 1-2: 5 sts in garter pattern, k 5, repeat to end.

Bind on yarn (B) and use it when mentioned.

Round 3: 5 sts in garter pattern, k 2, [with yarn (B) k 1], k 2, repeat to end.

Round 4: 5 sts in garter pattern, k 1, [with yarn (B) k 3], k 1, repeat to end.

Round 5: 5 sts in garter pattern, k 1, [with yarn (B) k 1, with yarn (A) k 1] twice, repeat to end.

Rounds 6-7: repeat round 1.

Rounds 8-9: k 5, 5 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end.

Round 10: k 2, [with yarn (B) k 1], k 2, 5 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end.

Round 11: k 1, [with yarn (B) k 3], k 1, 5 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end.

Round 12: k 1, [with yarn (B) k 1, with yarn (A) k 1] twice, 5 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end.

Rounds 13-14: repeat round 8.

Repeat the general pattern once more. Cut yarn (B), then knit 0 (1) round.

Decreasing Rounds:

Round 1: ssk, k 3, 5 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end. [72 (81) sts]

Rounds 2-3: k 4, 5 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end.

Round 4: ssk, k 2, 5 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end. [64 (72) sts]

Rounds 5-6: k 3, 5 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end.

Round 7: ssk, k 1, 5 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end. [56 (63) sts]

Note: change to DPNs when needed.

Size S:

Round 8: k 2, 5 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end.

Round 9: ssk, 5 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end. [48 sts]

Round 10: k 1, 5 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end.

Round 11: ssk, 4 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end. [40 sts]

Round 12: k 1, 4 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end.

Round 13: ssk, 3 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end. [32 sts]

Round 14: k 1, 3 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end.

Round 15: ssk, 2 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end. [24 sts]

Round 16: ssk, k 1, repeat to end. [16 sts]

Round 17: ssk, to end. [8 sts]

Size M/L:

Rounds 8-9: k 2, 5 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end.

Round 10: ssk, 5 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end. [54 sts]

Round 11: k 1, 5 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end.

Round 12: ssk, 4 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end. [45 sts]

Round 13: k 1, 4 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end.

Round 14: ssk, 3 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end. [36 sts]

Round 15: k 1, 3 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end.

Round 16: ssk, 2 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end. [27 sts]

Round 17: k 1, 2 sts in garter pattern, repeat to end.

Round 18: ssk, k 1, repeat to end. [18 sts]

Round 19: ssk, to end. [9 sts]

Cut yarn, leaving a 6" (15 cm) long yarn tail, pull it through all sts and tighten together. Weave in loose ends.

Lastly, feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or find something confusing in the pattern.

Happy crocheting/knitting! follow me on Instagram @wiams_crafts and Twitter @wiamscrafts to see my upcoming projects.