Camden Hat

Camden Hat by Michelle Ferguson

What Is Being Made

The Camden Hat is a colorful crocheted hat designed by Michelle Ferguson, available in three sizes to fit toddlers, children, and adults. This project creates a finished hat with a decorative pom pom top (optional) using a two-color fair isle crochet technique. The hat is worked from the bottom up, making it straightforward to adjust length and fit during construction.

Sizing Options

• Toddler: 18-20" head circumference, 7" long
• Child: 19-21" head circumference, 9" long
• Adult: 21-22" head circumference, 10" long

Crochet Techniques Used

This intermediate-level project employs fair isle crochet, a colorwork technique that creates intricate two-color patterns. In fair isle crochet, unused yarn is floated behind the working stitches until needed again, allowing the crocheter to switch between the main color and contrasting color smoothly. The pattern notes emphasize maintaining even tension throughout and avoiding pulling floats too tightly, which is essential for achieving a professional finish and ensuring the hat maintains its proper shape and stretch.

Stitches and Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• blo – back loop only
• sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
• MC – main color
• CC – contrasting color
• st/sts – stitch/stitches
• ** – repeat symbol indicating sections to repeat as directed

Materials Required

The Camden Hat requires 100-220 yards of worsted weight yarn in two colors, allowing flexibility depending on which size you are making. You will need an I/8 (5.5mm) crochet hook or whichever hook size achieves the specified gauge. Additional materials include scissors, a measuring tape, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends. A pom pom maker is optional but recommended for adding a decorative finishing touch to the crown of the hat.

Gauge and Pattern Notes

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 single crochet stitches and 16 rows equaling a 4-inch square. Achieving this gauge is important for obtaining the correct finished hat dimensions. The pattern is worked from the bottom up, with the starting chain not counting as the first stitch. Crocheters should watch their tension carefully throughout the project, particularly when working the fair isle colorwork sections, to ensure even stitches and properly floated yarn that doesn't distort the fabric.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, the Camden Hat is suitable for crocheters with some experience who are comfortable with basic stitches and ready to explore colorwork techniques. The fair isle method adds complexity beyond simple single-color projects, but the straightforward bottom-up construction and use of fundamental stitches make it an accessible introduction to two-color crochet design.