Faded Hat

Faded Hat by Vanessa Ewing

What is Being Made

The Faded Hat is a hand-dyed knitted beanie featuring a petite Fairisle pattern that adds dimension and visual depth to the colorwork. This intermediate-level knitting project produces a fitted adult hat available in two sizes: Small and Large. The design showcases the interplay between two hand-dyed yarn colors, allowing crafters to select any color combination they prefer for a personalized finished piece.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques suitable for intermediate knitters. The primary construction method uses circular knitting on a 16-inch circular needle for the main body, transitioning to double-pointed needles for the crown shaping as the stitch count decreases. The most distinctive technique featured is Fairisle colorwork, a stranded knitting method where two colors are carried across rows to create intricate patterned designs. The petite Fairisle pattern is worked in alternating rounds using two colors (designated A and B), with color changes occurring at regular intervals to build the dimensional pattern. Crafters must manage multiple yarn colors simultaneously while maintaining consistent tension and stitch definition.

Stitches Used

The Faded Hat utilizes fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for hat construction. Stockinette stitch forms the base fabric in solid-color sections, creating a smooth, classic knit surface. The Fairisle colorwork sections employ knit stitches in alternating colors to create the patterned design, with specific color placement instructions provided in the pattern rounds. The pattern includes basic abbreviations such as k (knit) and rep (repeat), indicating straightforward stitch work that remains accessible to intermediate-level knitters despite the colorwork complexity.

Materials and Tools

The recommended yarn is Cape May Fiber Co Superwash DK, a 100% superwash merino wool available in 231-yard skeins weighing 3.5 ounces (100 grams). One skein each of two colors is required to complete the project. The DK (double knitting) weight yarn is worked at a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, or 22 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches in Fairisle pattern, using the larger needle size. Needles required include a US Size 4 (3.5 mm) circular needle measuring 16 inches and a set of five US Size 6 (4 mm) double-pointed needles for decreasing. Additional tools include a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, scissors, and a stitch marker for tracking round beginnings.

Finished Measurements

• Small: 19 ¾ inches (50.16 cm) circumference
• Large: 20 ¾ inches (52.7 cm) circumference