Nydia Hat
Nydia Hat
Sometimes, the best things take time. And the Nydia Hat? Oh, it almost didn’t happen.
It all started in 2021, just days after I finished knitting the Nydia pullover. With one last skein of that gorgeous DK-weight yarn in hand, I imagined a matching hat with the same textured stitch and lateral braid detail. I cast on, expecting to finish it by the weekend.
But, as knitters do, I got distracted. Another project called my name—a sweater!—and the hat got set aside. Weeks turned into months, and it quietly waited while I worked on other, ironically larger, projects.
I rediscovered the nearly finished hat in early 2022, picked it up again, but something wasn’t quite right. The crown shaping wasn’t working the way I wanted. So, once more, it was tucked away.
Fast forward to early 2023—testers were finishing up the Nydia Cardigan when a few asked if there would be a matching hat. That sparked something. The excitement came rushing back. I couldn’t find my original project, but I remembered the details well enough. So I cast on again. And this time? Everything clicked. The crown shaping, which had eluded me before, came together in a single day.
Then I knit another. And another. I experimented with different DK weight yarns, adjusted stitch placements, and fine-tuned the details. Before I knew it, the Nydia Hat had evolved into not just one but two variations, graded to fit the whole family.
A dedicated group of knitters joined me for a whirlwind two-week test knit, and many couldn’t stop at just one. I was ready to release the pattern in April, but life got busy—work, schedules, and a few attempted photoshoots (even while on vacation) all delayed things. Before I knew it, summer had arrived and I still hadn’t released the pattern. The hats waited patiently, unfazed, stacked neatly while I tried to find the perfect moment.
And finally, that moment came. The right day, the right light, the right photos—it all clicked into place. And just like that, the Nydia Hat was ready for the world.
Why knitters love this pattern
A rhythmic knit that holds your attention without demanding too much. There's texture here, but it's not fussy. The pattern repeats are intuitive enough that you'll memorize them after a few rounds, which means you can knit this while watching a show or chatting with friends. It moves quickly, too!
Two versions, same hat. View A has more pronounced texture. View B is subtler. Both use the same techniques; you're just choosing how much visual pop you want. Or make one of each, like other knitters have!
Beginner-friendly with a little adventure. If you're comfortable with knitting in the round and want to try simple texture techniques, this is a great next step. I've included both written and charted directions as well as video tutorials. Experienced knitters tell me it's a good palate cleanser between bigger projects—engaging enough to stay interesting, relaxing enough to not feel like work.
Multiple sizes for a fit that actually works. An amazing group of test knitters jumped in to help me test this pattern across a range of head sizes. You'll find the one that fits you, a friend, or a loved one.
Testermonials
“This is definitely one of my favorite hat patterns I have knit, and I have knit many. I was actually sad to finish the hat. It went so fast - about 6 hours. Guess I have to make more!”
“My first impression was how the pattern looked professional. I appreciate the clean modern layout. Reminds me of patterns I see in magazines. This is what I would expect to see if I had paid $15 or more for a pattern. ”
“It’s a very clear pattern that, once someone “gets” the TLS, is foolproof and leads to really good results. The lateral braid feels like an extra bit of clever - a nice technique to include that some might not be familiar with, feels fancy, but doesn’t actually increase the difficulty of the hat.”
“Beautifully written versatile pattern. This hat was a fun knit. Simple enough to knit on the go with a fun engaging slipped stitch lace repeat. I love the detail of the lateral braid between brim and hat body. Crown shaping is beautiful forming a star. This pattern has simple details that make it timeless and elegant. I chose an alpaca yarn for a lightweight soft hat. I can see making several more hats for gifts, this pattern is beautiful and the fit excellent. Fit is close to the head with negative ease. I prefer this, I have too many slouchy hats. Additional repeats/sizing up the fit could be slouchy.
I have long admired Vanessa’s patterns. The visual appeal and elegance. Knitting her beautifully laid out clear pattern was a joy. Instructions are clear with tutorials. The beautiful stitch pattern is also used in sweaters, check out her elegant designs.”
What’s included
Instant PDF download. Cast on whenever you're ready.
Two versions, fully charted and written out. Choose your texture level or make both.
Video tutorials for key techniques. I filmed the parts that might be easier to see than read.
Clear instructions, tested by 100+ knitters. This pattern went through extensive testing. If something was confusing, we clarified it.
Sizing guidance. Six sizes for babies, kids, teens, and adults with finished measurements so you can find the right size and customize the fit if needed.
Sound like the knit you’ve been looking for?
Test Knitter Photo Gallery
THANK YOU to the test knitters who helped make this pattern possible. Below is a gallery of their beautiful hats. ❤️ Click or tap the photos to enlarge them and scroll through. Tester usernames are for Ravelry unless otherwise noted.
The Knitty-Gritty
Description
The Nydia Hat continues the saga of my undying love for the textured lace stitch pattern already featured in several of my patterns. Perfect for that special skein of DK weight yarn in your stash, this hat knits up quickly and is a joy to make from beginning to end. Choose the view with the amount of texture that makes your heart sing—or whip up one of each!
Additional Languages
Also available in German.
Sizes
Child Small (Child Medium, Child Large, Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large)
Finished Measurements
View A: 10.75 (12.75, 15, 15, 17, 19.25)” / 27 (32, 37.5, 37.5, 42.5, 48) cm circumference at brim, unstretched; 6 (6.75, 7.5, 8.25, 8.25, 9)” / 15 (17, 19, 20.5, 20.5, 22.5) cm tall
View B: 11.75 (13, 15.25, 15.25, 17.5, 19.75)” / 29.5 (32.5, 38, 38, 44, 49.5) cm circumference at brim, unstretched; 6.25 (7, 7.75, 8.5, 8.5, 9.25)” / 15.5 (17.5, 19.5, 21.5, 21.5, 23) cm tall
Hat is quite stretchy and is intended to be worn with 4–5” (10–12.5 cm) of negative ease to showcase the stitch pattern. Samples shown in Adult Medium on a 21.25” (53 cm) head.
Yarn
72 (89, 116, 127, 145, 179) yards / 66 (82, 107, 117, 133, 164) meters plied DK weight yarn
Needles
US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 12–16” (30–40 cm), or needle size necessary to obtain correct gauge
US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needle, 12–16” (30–40 cm), or needle size .5 mm smaller than gauge needle
Appropriate needle(s) in the larger size for your preferred method of knitting small circumferences in the round
Gauge
For view A/B or both, 22.5/22 sts and 32 rnds = 4” (10 cm) in desired view’s pattern worked in the round using larger needles, blocked and unstretched
Notions
(1) Stitch marker for beginning of round
Crochet hook, size D (3.25 mm) or slightly smaller
Tapestry needle
Optionally, for view A/B or both, 4/7 (5/8, 6, 6, 7, 8) additional stitch markers, distinct from beginning of round marker
This one’s waiting for you.
Buy it on Ravelry.
