Topmost

Topmost Hat by Helena Granholm

What is Being Made

Topmost is a knitted hat pattern designed by Helena Granholm. This downloadable PDF provides instructions for creating a beginner-friendly hat featuring a classic ribbed construction with decorative stripe patterning throughout the crown.

Craft and Primary Technique

This project uses knitting as its primary craft method. The hat is constructed using circular knitting techniques, worked in the round to create a seamless garment. The pattern is suitable for beginner knitters, making it an accessible introduction to hat construction and colorwork techniques.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

The Topmost hat employs fundamental knitting stitches and techniques:

• Knit (K) — the basic knit stitch forming the primary fabric
• Purl (P) — used in combination with knit stitches to create texture
• K2tog (Knit 2 together) — a decrease stitch for shaping
• P2tog (Purl 2 together) — a purl decrease for shaping
• SSK (Slip, slip, knit) — a left-leaning decrease worked by slipping two stitches together to the back of the loop
• Rib Pattern — established using [K6, P2] repeat to create vertical columns of texture throughout the hat
• Stripe Pattern — horizontal color changes worked in rounds using multiple yarn colors

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Topmost hat is worked with sport weight yarn in multiple colors. The main body is constructed using IMAGINE organic wool soft merino thin yarn, with one 50-gram ball (167 meters / 182 yards) in the main color (MC). The pattern incorporates three contrast colors (CC1, CC2, and CC3), each requiring approximately 5 grams (17 meters / 18 yards) of yarn.

The sample photographed in the pattern was knitted in the following colorway: Forest Green as the main color, Cherry Red for CC1, and The Dark Onedouble-pointed needles (DPNs) for working in the round, with a needle size change to larger needles specified for the main body construction after the initial rib setup.

Pattern Construction

The hat begins with an established [K6, P2] rib pattern that is maintained throughout the project. After establishing the rib, the knitter works multiple rounds in the main color before introducing the stripe pattern through strategic color changes. The stripes are created by working 2 to 6 rounds in each contrast color, with some colors carried throughout while others are cut between color sections. This creates a cohesive striped design while managing yarn ends efficiently.