Spiral Rainbow Hat in Plymouth Encore Colorspun - F086

Spiral Rainbow Hat in Plymouth Encore Colorspun

What is Being Made

The Spiral Rainbow Hat is a knitted hat design featuring a distinctive spiral pattern created through alternating bands of stockinette and reverse stockinette stitches. This free pattern from Plymouth Yarn Company is worked in the Plymouth Encore Colorspun yarn, which provides the rainbow color effect that gives the hat its name. The hat is constructed as a tube using a provisional cast-on method, then shaped and finished by gathering the top to create a classic hat silhouette.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques to achieve its spiral effect and three-dimensional structure. The primary construction method uses a provisional cast-on, which allows stitches to be picked up later for seaming. The hat is worked flat in rows rather than in the round, creating a rectangular fabric that is then transformed into a tube. A key shaping technique involves increasing one stitch at the beginning of every right-side row and decreasing one stitch at the end of each row, which creates subtle shaping while maintaining stitch count. The Kitchener stitch (also known as grafting) is used to seamlessly join the provisional cast-on edge to the final row, creating a continuous tube without a visible seam. The top of the hat is finished by gathering one end with a length of yarn and securing it tightly to close the crown.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch: Alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side, creating the classic smooth, V-textured fabric
• Reverse Stockinette Stitch: The inverse of stockinette stitch with purl rows on the right side and knit rows on the wrong side, creating a bumpy, textured surface
• Kitchener Stitch: A grafting technique used to invisibly join live stitches, creating a seamless connection between the cast-on edge and the final row

The pattern alternates between 4 rows of stockinette stitch and 4 rows of reverse stockinette stitch repeatedly throughout the hat, with 2 rows of stockinette stitch at the beginning and end. This rhythmic alternation of smooth and textured stitches creates the spiral visual effect as the hat is worn.

Materials and Gauge

The Spiral Rainbow Hat is designed to be worked with Plymouth Encore Colorspun yarn, requiring one 100-gram ball in either color 7021 or 7022. The pattern is worked on US 8 needles (or the size necessary to obtain the correct gauge) and uses a crochet hook for finishing. The recommended gauge is 5 stitches equals 1 inch in stockinette stitch on US 8 needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper hat fit and drape. The Plymouth Encore Colorspun yarn is a colorway-specific yarn that provides the rainbow color transitions that make this hat visually striking as the spiral pattern develops.

Pattern Versions

The pattern includes multiple versions of the Spiral Rainbow Hat design. Version 1 uses a provisional cast-on of 70 stitches and follows the spiral stitch pattern as described above. Version 2 is also included in the pattern but the full instructions are not provided in the available content. Both versions utilize the same fundamental techniques and stitches, allowing crafters to choose their preferred construction method or finished style.