INTRODUCTION

Pumpkin Spice Latte

by Lalíe Roque

Growing up in southern Texas, the seasons never really changed. It usually went from hot, to just slightly less hot. The temperature never really started to cool down and the leaves stayed green. When I moved to New Mexico, I was amazed to actually experience four full seasons. Every year, I still love driving and walking through the bosque and seeing the incredible oranges and yellows of the leaves, walking in the crisp snow of winter, enjoying the green of spring, and the heat of summer. I especially love the cooler temperatures, because it means being able to do things outside again, and that it's knit-wear weather.

One of the things that signals the beginning of cooler weather to many people, is of course the release of the seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte. This seasonal treat inspired me to create this slouchy hat. The brim is knit in an off-white color to represent the foam on top of the latte. The body then switches to the pumpkin-esque color, with a simple twisted stitch pattern that resembles the leaf art so often found on lattes in artisan coffee shops.

model: Lalíe Roque

photos: Greg Williamson

SIZE

 Large Child[Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Circumference:  18[19, 21, 23] inches/ 46[48, 53, 58] cm
Depth:  9.5[11, 12, 13.5] inches/ 24[28, 30, 34] cm

For a snug fit, choose a size with approximately 1-2 inches/2.5-5 cm negative ease; for a more relaxed, slouchy fit, choose a size with approximately 1-2 inches/2.5-5 cm positive ease.

MATERIALS

Yarn
[MC] Evergreen Fiber Works Spruce DK [100% superwash merino; 231yd/211m per 100g skein]; color: Rust; 1[1, 2, ] skeins.
[CC] Knit Picks Bare Swish DK [100% superwash merino; 246yd/225m per 100g skein]; color: Bare; 1 skein.

Yarn characteristics: This pattern uses a plied 100% superwash wool yarn. A non-superwash yarn would also work. The yarn needs to hold its shape well and not bloom too much. Fuzzy or highly variegated yarns won't show the cable pattern as well as a solid or semi-solid color will. A cream color works well for the bottom, and any range of browns works best for the top. The idea is to have the ribbing as the "foam" and the body of the hat as the "coffee" portion.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #5/3.5mm 16 inch/40 cm circular needle
US #6/3.75mm 16 inch/40 cm circular needle
US #6/3.75mm needles for small circumference in the round

Notions
stitch markers
cable needle
yarn needle

GAUGE

21 sts/37 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Pattern can be adjusted in length: For a slouchier hat, work more repeats of the Latte Leaf pattern before beginning the decreases, for a more fitted hat, work fewer. The Latte Leaf pattern measures approximately 1.25 inch/3cm.

RC: Slip one st to cable needle, hold in back of work; k1 from left needle, k1 from cable needle
LC: Slip one st to cable needle, hold in front of work; k1 from left needle, k1 from cable needle
RPC: Slip one st to cable needle, hold in back of work; k1 from left needle, p1 from cable needle
LPC: Slip one st to cable needle, hold in front of work; p1 from left needle, k1 from cable needle

CHARTS

Latte Leaf Pattern (worked over 18 sts)
Round 1: P4, RC, k5, LC, p5.
Round 2: P3, RC, k1, RPC, k1, p1, k2, LC, p4.
Round 3: P2, RC, k3, p1, k1, p1, k3, LC, p3.
Round 4: P2, k3, RPC, p1, k1, p1, LPC, k2, LC, p2.
Round 5: P2, k4, p2, k1, p2, k5, p2.
Round 6: P2, k2, RPC, p2, k1, p2, LPC, k3, p2.
Round 7: P4, (k1, p3) three times, p2.
Round 8: P3, RPC, p3, k1, p3, LPC, p4.
Round 9: P3, (k1, p4) three times.
Round 10: P2, RPC, p3, RC, p4, LPC, p3.
Round 11: P6, RC, k1, LC, p3, k1, p3.
Round 12: P5, RC, k3, LC, p2, LPC, p2.

Latte Leaf Decrease Pattern (starts with 18 stitches, decreases to 6)
Round 1: P2tog, p2, RC, k5, LC, p2togtbl, p3. 16 sts.
Round 2: P2, RC, k1, RPC, k1, p1, k2, LC, p3.
Round 3: P1, RC, k2tog, (k1, p1) two times, k1, ssk, LC, p2. 14 sts.
Round 4: P1, k2, RPC, p1, k1, p1, LPC, k1, LC, p1.
Round 5: P1, k2tog, (k1, p2) two times, k1, ssk, k1, p1. 12 sts.
Round 6: P1, RPC, p2, k1, p2, LPC, k1, p1.
Round 7: P1, k1, p1, p2tog, k1, p2togtbl, p1, k1, p2. 10 sts.
Round 8: P4, k1, p5.
Round 9: P2, p2tog, k1, p2togtbl, p3. 8 sts.
Round 10: P3, k1, p4.
Round 11: P1, p2tog, k1, p2tog tbl, p2. 6 sts.
Round 12: P2, k1, p3.

DIRECTIONS

Brim
With smaller circular needles and CC, CO 96[104, 112, 120] sts. Place marker and join for working in the round.

Round 1: [K1, p1] around.
Repeat Round 1 thirteen more times.

Cut CC. Join MC, and switch to larger circular needles.

Round 15: Knit.

Body
Round 1: Work the Latte Leaf Pattern over 18 sts, k to end of round.

Work as set until you have worked the 12 rounds of the Latte Leaf Pattern 5[6, 7, 8] times.

Crown Decreases
Round 1: Work Latte Leaf Decrease pattern, [k 7[12, 21, 49] , k2tog] 8[6, 4, 2] times, k to end of round. 86[96, 106, 116] sts.

Round 2: Work Latte Leaf Decrease Pattern, k to end of round.
Round 3: Work Latte Leaf Decrease Pattern, *k2tog, k8, pm; repeat from * to end of round, omitting last marker – the start of round marker is sufficient.
Round 4: Work even in patt as set.
Round 5: Work Latte Leaf Decrease Pattern, *k2tog, k to marker; repeat from * to end of round. 7[8, 9, 10] sts decreased.
Round 6: Work even in patt as set.

Repeat the last 2 rounds until the Latte Leaf Decrease patterns is complete, changing to needles for small circumference when hat gets too small for circular needle.

After Round 14 is complete, 32[36, 40, 44] sts rem.

Round 15: K2tog around. 16[18, 20, 22] sts.

Cut yarn and draw through live sts to fasten off

FINISHING

To block the hat, hand or machine wash the finished hat according to the yarn label's instructions. Lay flat, and pin out body portion and pin the Latte Leaf cable so the pattern stands out. Alternatively, the hat may also be washed and placed on a foam head to shape.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Lalíe is a native Texan, with Louisiana roots, now living in the desert of New Mexico. She loves designing geeky knitting patterns inspired by her many fandoms. She also enjoys baking and playing the piano. By day, she's a mostly stay at home mom to one adventurous daughter, but she also teaches college English classes online. By night, she's probably already asleep.

She sometimes blogs at Multiverse Knits.

Pattern & images © 2021 Lalíe Roque