Knitting Patterns

Knit Free Pattern: Short-Row Hood with Rust Wave Crests

ErrorLookupHub: Stitch Fixes, Troubleshooting & Knitter's Guide • October 29, 2026

Introduction

This cozy knitted hood is the perfect project for anyone who loves dark academia style with a touch of autumn warmth. Worked in a rich forest green aran wool blend, it features two bands of rust-colored short-row "wave crests" that ripple across the forehead like falling leaves caught mid-breeze. The smooth stockinette body and ribbed neck edging make it soft, structured, and wonderfully wearable. Designed for women and written with beginners in mind, this hood is a gentle introduction to short rows that looks far more intricate than it is.

Materials Needed

Yarn: Aran weight wool blend (e.g., 80% wool, 20% nylon), 100 g / 170 yd (155 m) per skein.
- Forest green (MC): 2 skeins (approx. 340 yd / 310 m)
- Rust (CC): 1 skein (approx. 170 yd / 155 m)
Needles: 5.0 mm (US 8) circular needle, 40 cm (16") cable, plus a set of 5 double-pointed needles (DPNs) in the same size for the small crown circumference.
Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors.
Finished size: To fit head circumference 54–58 cm (21–23"). Finished hood circumference 56 cm (22"); height from base of neck to top of crown 38 cm (15").

Abbreviations

CO: cast on — create the starting stitches.
k: knit stitch.
p: purl stitch.
k2tog: knit two stitches together — a one-stitch decrease.
rep: repeat.
RS / WS: right side / wrong side (the outside / inside of the fabric).
Rnd(s): round(s) — worked in the round, joining each circle.
BO: bind off.
MC / CC: main color (forest green) / contrast color (rust).
St(s): stitch(es).

Gauge

18 sts and 24 rows = 10 cm (4") in stockinette stitch with 5.0 mm needles. Knit a small swatch in the round, measure a 10 cm section, and adjust needle size if your stitch count differs.

Tips Before You Start

Wrap your short rows: When you turn mid-row, wrap the next stitch (bring yarn around it) so you don't get holes. You'll pick up and knit these wraps on Row 11.
Keep your color changes tidy: Carry the unused color loosely up the inside of the work rather than cutting it each time.
Try it on as you go: Slip the work onto scrap yarn after the second rust band to check the fit before you start the crown decreases.
Switch to DPNs early: Move to double-pointed needles once the crown gets too small for the circular cable to avoid stretched stitches.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Hood Body (worked in the round, MC)

With MC, CO 100 sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.

Rnds 1–6: [k2, p2] rep to end (100 sts).

Rnds 7–30: k all sts (100 sts).

Short-Row Wave Crests (worked back and forth in CC)

Row 1 (RS): With CC, k50, turn.

Row 2 (WS): p40, turn.

Row 3: k30, turn.

Row 4: p20, turn.

Row 5: k10, turn.

Row 6: p10, turn.

Row 7: k20, turn.

Row 8: p30, turn.

Row 9: k40, turn.

Row 10: p50, turn.

Row 11: k all sts to end of rnd, picking up and knitting the wraps as you go (100 sts).

Repeat Rows 1–11 once more to create the second wave crest band.

Upper Body (MC)

Rnds 31–50: k all sts (100 sts).

Crown Shaping

Rnd 51: [k8, k2tog] rep to end (90 sts).

Rnd 52: k all sts (90 sts).

Rnd 53: [k7, k2tog] rep to end (80 sts).

Rnd 54: k all sts (80 sts).

Rnd 55: [k6, k2tog] rep to end (70 sts).

Rnd 56: k all sts (70 sts).

Rnd 57: [k5, k2tog] rep to end (60 sts).

Rnd 58: k all sts (60 sts).

Rnd 59: [k4, k2tog] rep to end (50 sts).

Rnd 60: k all sts (50 sts).

Rnd 61: [k3, k2tog] rep to end (40 sts).

Rnd 62: k all sts (40 sts).

Rnd 63: [k2, k2tog] rep to end (30 sts).

Rnd 64: k all sts (30 sts).

Rnd 65: [k1, k2tog] rep to end (20 sts).

Rnd 66: k all sts (20 sts).

Rnd 67: [k2tog] rep to end (10 sts).

Cut yarn, leaving a 15 cm tail. Thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and secure.

Neck Edging (MC)

With MC, pick up and knit 1 st in each CO st around the neck opening (100 sts). Join to work in the round.

Rnds 1–3: [k2, p2] rep to end (100 sts).

BO all sts in pattern.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends on the wrong side, taking care to secure the color-change points between MC and CC. Block lightly to measurements: mist with water, pat into shape, and lay flat to dry, gently stretching the neck opening to 56 cm (22") circumference. No seaming is required — the hood is worked seamlessly in the round.

Pro Tips and Variations

Color swap: Try a mustard or burnt orange CC for a warmer autumn palette, or a cream MC for a softer look.
Add a drawstring: Thread a twisted cord through the ribbed neck edging for an adjustable fit.
Longer hood: Work extra plain rounds before the crown shaping to create a deeper, slouchier hood.

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