Free Hat Knitting Pattern: Pebbles by the Sea Hat

The Pebbles by the Sea Hat has only been available previously as a paid pattern. Now, you can find it here as a free pattern, too. If you’d rather have a printable version without ads, the paid version is still available on Ravelry and Etsy.

This pattern is Day 1 of my 2024 Digital Advent Calendar.

One of my favorite spots in Ventura is a stretch of beach near the Ventura River mouth. It is covered in rocks and pebbles, and the waves crash over them all day long, making the prettiest rumbling, tumbling sounds. I go there when I need to recharge, and I always leave feeling better than when I arrived.

In keeping with that spirit, this hat is designed to be a quick, relaxing knit. It takes just one skein of yarn and can be finished in an evening if you knit quickly. As you work the twisted stitches and the moss stitch, think of the waves rolling in and out over mossy rocks, in and out, in and out. I hope you enjoy it.

I try my very best to make sure that all of my patterns are error-free and easy to follow. If you have any trouble with this pattern, please let me know! Please send questions to help@abeeinthebonnet.com.

And of course, if you share photos of your project on social media, I’d love to see them! Please tag your photos with #PebblesByTheSeaHat and #ABITBKnits to share with others. 

Pattern Specs

SIZES	S, M, L Finished hat circumference: 18.75 (21.25, 24) in / 47.5 (54, 61) cm (Note: most people like their hats snug, so if that’s what you’re looking for, choose a finished hat size that is somewhat smaller than your actual head.)
MATERIALS	Chunky weight yarn, 76 (87, 98) yds / 70 (80, 90) m  Sample shown knit in Ocean by the Sea Thicc base in Terracotta colorway, Merino single ply, 76y (70 m) per 3.5 oz (100g)
GAUGE	4” (10 cm) square = 12 stitches by 19 rows in stockinette
NEEDLES	One set of needles for your preferred style of small-circumference knitting in a size to match gauge listed above  Suggested needle size: US 11 (8.0 mm)
TOOLS	One stitch marker for beginning of round; optional additional markers between pattern repeats Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
SKILL LEVEL	Adventurous beginner to intermediate. Techniques included increases, decreases, knitting in the round, twisted stitches

Abbreviations
k = knit	p = purl
yo = yarn over	k tbl = knit through the back loop
k2tog = knit two stitches together	ssk = slip two stitches knitwise and knit together through the back loop
sk2togpsso = slip one stitch purlwise, knit the next two stitches together, pass the slipped stitch over the stitch you just knit

Pattern Instructions

Using your preferred cast-on method, cast on 56 (64, 72) stitches. Join for knitting in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker at the join to mark the end of the round.

Work four rounds of ribbing in the following pattern: *k1tbl, p1, repeat from * to end of round. 

Now you’ll start working the body of the hat. Work the following two-round repeat a total of 13 times. For charted instructions, see Chart A immediately following the written instructions.

Round 1: *k2tog, yo, k1tbl, yo, ssk, p, k, p, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 2: *k2, k1tbl, k3, p, k, repeat from * to end of round.

Chart A

Crown

Now you will begin closing the crown of your hat. At some point, you may need to change to double-pointed needles, depending on the small-circumference knitting technique you prefer. Make that change at any point during the following instructions when your stitches begin to feel too stretched on your circular needles.

Round 1: *k, sk2togpsso, k, p, k, p, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 2: *k4, p, k, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 3: *sk2togpsso, p, k, p, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 4: *p, k, p, k, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 5: Remove end of round marker. K2tog until 5 stitches remain.

Break yarn, leaving a long tail. With a darning needle, thread the yarn through the remaining stitches and secure.

Weave in all ends and block.