Feste

Feste Stranded Colorwork Hat by Mary Annarella

What Is Being Made

Feste is an intermediate-level knitted hat designed by Mary Annarella, inspired by the rich brocade fabrics of the Elizabethan Period and a costume worn by actor Marc Rylance in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. This festive hat combines historical design elements with contemporary knitting techniques to create a garment that is both visually striking and functionally warm. The hat features a distinctive slouchy silhouette, a playful pom pom accent, and folded ribbing that frames the face while providing extra warmth around the ears.

Construction and Techniques

Feste is worked entirely in the round, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a seamless, professional finish. The hat begins with folded ribbing at the base, which is worked flat or in the round before being folded to create a double layer that frames the face. This folded ribbing technique serves both aesthetic and practical purposes: it creates a polished appearance while the double thickness provides additional insulation and comfort. The main body of the hat is worked in stranded colorwork, a traditional technique where two colors are carried across rows to create intricate patterned designs. This colorwork section comprises the majority of the hat's depth, building from the ribbing up to the crown. The hat concludes with crown shaping to taper the stitches toward the top, and is finished with a pom pom for added visual interest and a touch of whimsy.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The ribbing section uses ribbed stitches, which provide elasticity and help the hat maintain its shape and fit. The ribbing is designed to measure 16 inches in circumference when unstretched, creating a snug base that keeps the hat secure. The main body employs stranded colorwork, a technique where two colors of yarn are worked simultaneously across each row. In stranded colorwork, the working yarn and the non-working yarn are carried (or "stranded") across the back of the fabric, creating floats that add depth and texture. This method produces a dense, reversible fabric with intricate two-color patterns inspired by historical brocade designs. The colorwork section measures 22 inches in circumference and maintains a gauge of 29 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches when blocked, ensuring the pattern displays clearly and the hat maintains proper proportions.

Materials and Tools

Feste requires one skein each of a Main Color (MC) and Contrasting Color (CC) in Madelinetosh Tosh Sport yarn, which provides 270 yards per skein. This sport-weight yarn is ideal for colorwork projects, as it allows for fine stitch definition while remaining workable and comfortable to knit. The pattern is worked on US size 6 needles (or whatever size is necessary to obtain the specified gauge) in the round, requiring circular needles or double-pointed needles appropriate for small circumference knitting. The ribbing section is worked at a gauge of 24 stitches and 27 rows per 4 inches unstretched, while the colorwork section maintains a gauge of 29 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches when blocked.

Finished Dimensions

The completed Feste hat measures approximately 22 inches in circumference at the colorwork section, with the folded ribbing measuring 16 inches in circumference when unstretched. The total depth of the hat from the ribbing to the crown is approximately 9 inches, creating a slouchy profile that is both fashionable and comfortable. These measurements ensure the hat will fit a range of head sizes while maintaining the intended slouchy aesthetic.