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Valentine's Day Knit Hat Tutorial: Knitting a "Broken Heart Hat"

  • Writer: Happy Sheep
    Happy Sheep
  • 2 days ago
  • 2 min read

What a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day by knitting this charming hat! The pattern is easy to follow, making it perfect for beginners excited to learn and grow their knitting skills. It comes together quickly and is so much fun to make!


Pattern and Materials


You can find this pattern on the Yarnspirations website by searching Red Heart Knit Broken Hat and Fingerless Mittens, or by clicking the link below:



Knit broken heart hat and fingerless mittens set in aqua yarn with pink heart design, handmade winter accessories by Happy Sheep Creations

On their website, you can purchase all the materials you will need to finish this project. For the hat pattern, you will need 16” circular needles.


The Importance of a Gauge Swatch

Before you begin, you will need to make a small swatch following the pattern's gauge.

  • Cast On: Use size US 8 circular needles to cast on 17 stitches.

  • Work the Swatch: Use a stockinette stitch for 23 rows.


Measure: Bind off and measure. It should be 4” wide and approximately 4” long.


Knitted aqua yarn swatch measuring gauge with tape measure, ribbed knit texture for handmade hat project

If your swatch is not 4” wide:

  • Under 4”: Go up a needle size.

  • Over 4”: Go down a needle size.


Instructions for the Valentine's Day Knit Hat

Getting Started


Once you find the right needle size, you're all set to start your hat! Join your work by knitting the first stitch to create a circle.


Circular knitting needles holding aqua yarn stitches laid flat, beginning round setup for knitted hat
Close-up of knitting needles and aqua yarn stitches showing knit technique and stitch detail

Creating Twisted Ribbing


This pattern features a lovely, twisted ribbing. To create this effect, you'll knit in the back loops only (K1tbl). Work the ribbing until it measures one and a half inches.


Knitting in progress with aqua yarn on circular needles, demonstrating stitch formation for handmade hat

With yarn in back, insert your needle into the back loop; yarn over and pull the needle through the stitch.


Measuring ribbed knit fabric with tape measure, checking width and tension for knitted accessory
Knitted aqua hat body on circular needles, early shaping stage with yarn tail visible

Knitting the Body and Crown


Continue following your pattern, knitting until your hat measures 7 inches from the cast-on edge.


Measuring length of knitted aqua hat fabric, smooth stockinette stitch with ribbed brim

You're all set to start working on the crown! You'll be making some decreases by knitting two stitches together (k2tog).


Decreasing stitches on circular needles, shaping the crown of a knitted aqua hat

At some point, you will need to change to double-point needles. I found this to be when I had 40 stitches left.


Knitted hat crown gathered on double-pointed needles, aqua yarn forming smooth top shaping

Finishing the Hat


Once you have 8 stitches left, you are ready to finish the hat.


Finished knitted hat crown with double-pointed needles, aqua yarn forming neat top closure

Cut the yarn, leaving a long end. Thread a tapestry needle and transfer the live stitches onto the yarn end.

Close-up of final crown stitches on aqua knitted hat, clean decreases and smooth finish

Finish your hat by pulling the yarn tight like a drawstring to close the hole.


Inside view of completed knitted hat showing even stitches and centered crown seam

Adding the Heart: Duplicate Stitch Technique


Now you are ready to embroider the heart onto the hat using the Duplicate Stitch.

Placement


Locate the center of the front of your hat. I chose to start 10 rows above the ribbing to allow for a rolled brim!


Marking placement on knitted aqua hat using a needle, preparing for embroidered heart detail

Step-by-Step Duplicate Stitch


Always start at the bottom of the chart.

Row 1:


Embroidering a pink heart onto aqua knitted hat using yarn needle, handmade decorative detail
Pink yarn threaded through aqua knit fabric, outlining heart embroidery on handmade hat
Small embroidered pink heart detail on aqua knitted hat, subtle handmade accent

Row 2:


Close-up of pink heart embroidery stitches on aqua knit fabric, needle and yarn detail
Stitching pink heart design onto knitted hat, yarn needle passing through fabric
Finished pink heart embroidery on aqua knitted hat, handmade detail by Happy Sheep Creations

Completing the Design


Continue in this manner, following the chart.


Close-up of pink heart embroidery stitched onto aqua knitted fabric, handmade heart detail by Happy Sheep Creations

Make sure to weave in all yarn ends inside the hat.


Finished aqua knitted beanie with large pink heart design and ribbed brim, handmade hat by Happy Sheep Creations

 
 
 

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