Fashion Forward Hat

Fashion Forward Hat by Michelle Krause

What is Being Made

The Fashion Forward Hat is a relaxed, slouchy knit hat designed by Michelle Krause of Leah Michelle Designs. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a cozy winter accessory that works beautifully on its own or as a coordinating piece with the Fashion Forward Cowl. The hat's relaxed fit and contemporary styling make it a versatile addition to any winter wardrobe.

Knitting Techniques

This hat is worked in the round from the bottom up, a popular construction method that creates seamless, tubular garments. The pattern features minimal crown decreasing that flows organically from the body of the hat, ensuring a smooth transition as stitches are reduced toward the top. The designer includes a specialized technique for avoiding jogs when changing colors—a common challenge in colorwork knitting. When transitioning from a contrasting color back to the main color, knitters slip the first stitch of the previous round rather than working it normally, which creates a cleaner, more professional appearance at the color change line.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Fashion Forward Hat features two primary stitch elements that work together to create both visual interest and warmth. The base of the hat begins with ribbing, which provides elasticity and helps the hat stay securely on the head. The main body showcases a honeycomb cable pattern, a textured stitch design that adds dimensional depth and visual appeal while also providing excellent insulation for cold winter days. The combination of ribbing and cable work creates a hat that is both structurally sound and aesthetically sophisticated.

Yarn and Materials

The Fashion Forward Hat is designed to be worked in Aran weight yarn, requiring approximately one skein of main color yarn. The pattern is shown in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Aran, a premium yarn composed of 100% Superwash Merino Wool. This yarn yields 150 yards per 3.5 ounce skein and is shown in the Feather Grey colorway (#875). For the contrasting color accent, the pattern calls for approximately 65 yards of Cascade Yarns Eco Cloud, a blend of 70% undyed merino wool and 30% undyed baby alpaca, yielding 164 yards per 3.5 ounce skein and shown in Charcoal (#1810).

The use of superwash merino wool ensures the finished hat is easy to care for and maintain, while the optional alpaca blend in the contrasting color adds softness and luxury. Knitters will need a set of circular needles appropriate for Aran weight yarn to work this project in the round.