The Grange Hat

The Grange Hat by Crystal

What is Being Made

The Grange Hat is a colorwork knit hat designed by Crystal Hiatt. This beginner-friendly project combines two colors in a striking pattern that showcases hand-spun or vibrant indie-dyed yarns. The hat features a twisted rib brim and is available in six sizes, making it adaptable for various head measurements. The design is named after The Grange, a farm-to-table restaurant in Duvall, Washington.

Knitting Techniques Used

This hat employs colorwork knitting as its primary technique, allowing crafters to work with two contrasting yarn colors to create visual interest and pattern definition. The twisted rib construction at the brim provides both stretch and a refined finished edge. The hat is knit in the round, which creates a seamless, professional appearance. The colorwork pattern repeat can be customized by adding or eliminating repeats to adjust the overall size, offering flexibility for different head sizes without requiring multiple pattern versions.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch – the primary stitch used throughout the hat body, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric
• Twisted rib – used for the brim to provide structure, elasticity, and a polished edge detail
• Colorwork stitches – knit stitches worked with two colors to create the pattern design

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Grange Hat is designed for worsted weight yarn and can also accommodate dk weight yarn, or a combination of both. The sample was knit using Primrose Yarn Co Journey Worsted and Homestead Worsted. Yardage requirements vary by size: the main color (MC) requires between 55 and 131 meters depending on size, while the contrasting color (CC) requires between 30 and 71 yards. Total yardage ranges from 90 to 196 yards across all six sizes.

Knitting needles appropriate for the chosen yarn weight are required for working in the round. The hat is knit on larger needles with a gauge of 22 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch, unblocked. Stitch markers and a yarn needle for weaving in ends are standard supplies needed to complete the project.

Difficulty Level

Rated as a beginner project, The Grange Hat is accessible to knitters new to colorwork. While the two-color pattern introduces crafters to working with multiple yarns, the straightforward construction and customizable sizing make it an excellent introduction to this technique without overwhelming complexity.

Design Inspiration

The hat's name and design celebrate The Grange, a farm-to-table restaurant in Duvall, Washington. A coordinating design, The Grange cowl, is also available for crafters who wish to expand their project collection with complementary pieces.