On the seventh day of Christmas, Tin Can Knits gave to me…
gartery goodness,
twist stitch tam,
booties warm and wee!
hip slouchy hat,
honey flavoured mitts,
sea inspired socks,
and cabled mittens for under the tree!
minimalist satisfaction
Sometimes all you need is simple satisfaction. The Lowlands hat is all about this sort of minimalism; just garter and stockinette stitch. It was one of our earlier designs, is now revised and improved, with the baby-to-big sizing you expect from Tin Can Knits.
If you don’t have aran weight yarn on hand, you can make up to this gauge by holding strands of lighter weight yarns together. The resulting marled effect can be pretty cool! I’ve used a DK weight plus a lace weight to get gauge for Max’s hat.

Pattern: Lowlands
Sizing: baby (toddler, child, adult SM, adult L)
fits head 16 (18, 19, 21, 22)” around
Yarn: 70 (90, 100, 120, 140) yds worsted / aran weight yarn (Samples shown in Rainbow Heirloom Brit Aran in ‘winding road’ and a combination of Handmaiden Cashmere 4ply in ‘moss’ and a hand dyed lace yarn held together to equal a worsted weight)
Needles: US #7 / 4.5mm (or as required to meet gauge)
16-20” circular needle and DPNs
Gauge: 18 sts & 24 rounds / 4” in stockinette

Lowlands is sleek and stylish worn right-side out with a stockinette crown, and more rustic or casual when worn inside-out showing reverse stockinette. To knit the child size version that Max is wearing, I held a DK weight yarn together with a lace weight yarn, to achieve the pattern gauge of 18 sts / 4″. This creates the ‘marled’ effect. You could also hold 2 sock weight yarns together for a similar gauge.
the right side or the ‘dark side’
If you knit a marled version, or work in a more variegated yarn, you may find that the effect is even prettier on the reverse, as the purl bumps break up any ‘pools’ or ‘shots’ of colour for a more pebbled and uniform effect. On either side, the rolled slipped-stitch hem creates a tidy little edge detail.
learn something new!
While this beanie looks perfectly simple, it contains some intermediate techniques. Grab the pattern, then follow along with our tutorials to learn how to Kitchener stitch, and how to pick up and knit stitches.
To achieve ‘just the right’ minimalist look requires carefully executed details. The garter stitch brim of the Lowlands hat is knit from side to side, then grafted to form a seamless band, using a combination of stockinette and garter stitch grafting (this is described step-by-step in the pattern).
Know a knitter who’s been struggling with these techniques? Click the links below and share this post!
the beauty of simple stitches: garter + stockinette
Here at Tin Can Knits we’re known for our love of garter and stockinette! We created the entire Simple Collection using primarily these basic stitch patterns. With 8 free seamless patterns, and step-by-step tutorials to guide you as you learn each new technique, this collection has all you need to learn to make modern seamless knits for the entire family.
If you haven’t checked it out yet, take a look now! And if you already love it, take a moment to share it with your knit friends… We created The Simple Collection is for sharing, teaching, and simple enjoyment.
Simple Simple Simple from TCK:
December 22, 2015 @ 8:16 am
Thank you so much for all the free patterns you,have been offering during 2015 holiday time. I have not seen other designer to fear that much to the knitting community. However, as a result I have been taking care of my very sick sister, I am so disappointed I missed the spruce hat.
December 21, 2015 @ 2:05 am
What a joy to see the subtle effects from garter knit stitch to purl stitch garter. Thank you very much for this easy to knit and beautiful design.
Uscha
December 21, 2015 @ 12:30 am
Thank you for your generosity and such a great free paterns! Merry Christmas.
Greetings from Czech republic – Ivana
December 20, 2015 @ 8:07 pm
Thank you so much!!
December 20, 2015 @ 2:37 pm
Thank you so much! :D
December 20, 2015 @ 1:54 pm
Thank you so much for your Twelve Days gift patterns. I wake up to a great surprise every day. Merry Christmas to you and your families !!!
December 20, 2015 @ 12:31 pm
Thank you for all the patterns so far. So generous!
December 20, 2015 @ 9:33 am
Such a cute simple project! Thank you for sharing!
December 20, 2015 @ 7:47 am
Thank you so much.
December 20, 2015 @ 7:41 am
Fun! Fun! I don’t have this one. Thank you!
December 20, 2015 @ 6:54 am
love this hat- simple, but perfect.
December 20, 2015 @ 5:22 am
Thanks so much for these wonderful patterns. I love your work. Everything is so clear and I learn so much from knitting them. I shared it on Facebook. Holiday greetings to you! Prayers for peace in our world.
December 20, 2015 @ 5:04 am
Pretty hats and sweaters.
December 20, 2015 @ 3:48 am
Thank you so much for all the patterns. It’s too bad I missed the first one. They are all so beautiful.
December 20, 2015 @ 3:20 am
I have been feeling absolutely spoiled this season with these gifts! Thank you!
December 20, 2015 @ 3:19 am
Thank you!! <3
December 20, 2015 @ 2:43 am
Thank you lovely lady! Merry Christmas xx
December 20, 2015 @ 12:18 am
Thank you!!