Eddystone Hat

Eddystone Hat by Charlotte Lorenzi

What Is Being Made

The Eddystone Hat is a stranded colourwork hat designed by Charlotte Lorenzi. This knitted hat features a two-colour pattern worked using the stranded colourwork technique, making it an accessible introduction to this method for knitters with intermediate to advanced experience.

Craft and Primary Technique

This project is created using knitting as the primary craft. The hat employs stranded colourwork, a technique where two colours are worked simultaneously across rows, with the unused colour carried along the back of the fabric. A key feature of the Eddystone Hat design is that it contains no long floats, meaning the carried yarn is managed in short segments. This design choice makes the pattern particularly suitable for knitters who are new to stranded colourwork or have limited experience with the technique, as long floats can be difficult to manage and may create loose, uneven fabric.

Stitches and Construction Details

The hat begins with 1x1 ribbing at the cuff, which provides a snug, elastic edge that fits closely to the head. The pattern notes indicate that the ribbing is cast on with fewer stitches than required for the main colourwork section, allowing for a tailored fit around the head. The ribbing transitions into the two-colour stranded colourwork pattern, which is worked from charted instructions. The charts remain identical through Row 25, giving knitters flexibility in their colour choices until they reach the decrease section of the pattern. Following the colourwork section, the hat includes decreases to shape the crown and close the top.

Pattern notes suggest that knitters may customize the ribbing edge by substituting alternatives such as a rolled edge or corrugated ribbing, though adjustments to stitch counts may be necessary depending on the elasticity of the chosen edge treatment.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Eddystone Hat is designed to be worked in 4-ply yarn (also known as fingering weight), which creates a finely detailed fabric suitable for displaying the stranded colourwork pattern. Two colours of yarn are required. The pattern recommends selecting a needle and yarn combination that produces a snug gauge for both the ribbing and the colourwork sections, ensuring proper fit and tension throughout the hat.

Pattern notes acknowledge that many yarns will stretch when blocked, particularly those treated with superwash finishes or those containing fibres such as alpaca. Knitters are advised to try the hat on during construction to assess fit, keeping in mind that the final blocked dimensions may differ from the in-progress measurements.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as advanced, reflecting the stranded colourwork technique and the need for consistent tension management across two colours. However, the absence of long floats and the clear charted instructions make it an excellent choice for advancing knitters seeking to build confidence with colourwork methods.