Shoal Hat in Rowan Denim Revive - ZB296-00010-FR - Downloadable PDF

Shoal Hat in Rowan Denim Revive by Martin Storey – Pattern Summary

About This Design

The Shoal Hat is a knitted hat designed by Martin Storey and worked in Rowan Denim Revive yarn. Published as a downloadable PDF under reference ZB296-00010-FR, this pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and colorwork techniques. The hat is available in two sizes — S-M and L-XL — with finished head circumferences of approximately 52.5 cm and 58.5 cm respectively, ensuring a comfortable fit for a wide range of wearers.

Construction and Techniques

The Shoal Hat is knitted entirely in the round using a set of double-pointed needles, which creates a seamless, smooth fabric ideal for a fitted hat. The construction begins at the brim and works upward, incorporating a section of Fair Isle colorwork using the stranded knitting technique. This involves carrying two yarn colors across the round simultaneously, weaving the unused yarn at the back of the fabric to create an even, warm double layer of yarn through the patterned section.

The colorwork section is worked from a 14-stitch repeat chart, repeated 9 times (size S-M) or 10 times (size L-XL) across each round, spanning a total of 26 rounds in the Fair Isle section. After the colorwork is complete, the second color is cut and the hat continues in a single color to the crown.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch in the round (knit every round) — used throughout the body and crown of the hat
• Fair Isle / stranded colorwork — worked over the 26-round chart section using two colors simultaneously
• k2tog (knit two together) — the primary decrease stitch used to shape the crown, worked in a series of decrease rounds interspersed with plain rounds to create a neat, tapered top

Crown Shaping

Once the hat reaches a total height of 20 cm, the crown shaping begins. Stitches are decreased in a structured sequence — for example, working (11 sts, k2tog) 9 [10] times on the first decrease round, then working plain rounds between subsequent decrease rounds such as (10 sts, k2tog) and so on. This gradual, evenly spaced reduction creates a smooth, rounded crown finish characteristic of a well-constructed knitted hat.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Rowan Denim Revive in a DK weight, used in two colorways:

• Yarn A – Darkness (shade 217): 2 x 50g balls for both sizes
• Yarn B – Silt (shade 216): 1 x 50g ball for both sizes

Rowan Denim Revive is a contemporary yarn that echoes the character of classic denim fabric, making it an excellent choice for accessories with a relaxed, everyday aesthetic. Its DK weight gives the finished hat good stitch definition, which is particularly beneficial for showcasing the Fair Isle colorwork chart.

Needles

• 1 set of 4 double-pointed needles, 3.25 mm — used for the brim or tighter sections
• 1 set of 4 double-pointed needles, 3.75 mm — used for the main body of the hat

Who Is This Pattern For?

The Shoal Hat is ideal for intermediate knitters looking to develop or practise their Fair Isle colorwork skills in a manageable, small-scale project. Because the colorwork repeat is just 14 stitches wide and the chart spans only 26 rounds, it is an accessible introduction to stranded knitting without the commitment of a full-sized garment. The use of Rowan Denim Revive in the rich, tonal pairing of Darkness and