Classic Elite Yarns Liberty Wool Shadow Colorwork Hat

Classic Elite Yarns Liberty Wool Shadow Colorwork Hat

What Is Being Made

The Liberty Wool Shadow Colorwork Hat is a seamless, slouchy knit hat designed by Susan Mills. This intermediate-level knitting project features a relaxed, oversized silhouette and is available in three finished sizes: Adult XS/S (16 inches unstretched), M (17½ inches unstretched), and L/XL (19¼ inches unstretched). The hat showcases beautiful two-color stranded colorwork patterning throughout the crown, making it an ideal project for knitters looking to develop their color work skills while creating a practical, wearable accessory.

Techniques Used

This hat is worked in the round using the seamless construction method, which eliminates the need for seaming and creates a continuous, tubular fabric. The primary technique featured is stranded colorwork, where two colors of yarn are carried simultaneously around the round to create the patterned design. The colorwork sections are strategically placed to showcase the contrast between the main color and coordinating printed color. The pattern includes strategic decreases worked across the colorwork rounds, transitioning from the full stitch count down to just 4 stitches to shape the crown closure.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – The primary stitch throughout the hat, created by knitting all stitches on every round to produce a smooth, flat fabric
• 2 x 2 Rib – A textured stitch pattern used for the cuff, worked over a multiple of 4 stitches using the repeat pattern K1, P2, K1 to create elasticity and a finished edge
• Stranded Colorwork – Two-color patterning worked across multiple rounds using charted stitch patterns (Chart 1 and Chart 2 provided), with a repeat of 20 stitches that decreases to 4 stitches

Materials and Yarn

This project uses Liberty Wool Shadow and Liberty Wool Print yarns by Classic Elite Yarns, both composed of 100% washable wool. Each 50-gram skein yields approximately 122 yards. For Version 1 in Size M, the pattern calls for 2 balls of Liberty Wool Shadow in color 1632 Berry (main color) and 1 ball of Liberty Wool Print in color 7823 Deep Tropical Sea (contrast color). For Version 2 in Size L/XL, use 2 balls of Liberty Wool Shadow in color 1675 Charcoal (main color) and 1 ball of Liberty Wool Print in color 7884 Patchwork Calico (contrast color).

The pattern notes that Liberty Wool Shadow provides an excellent background for the printed colors in Liberty Wool. When selecting color combinations, the designer recommends choosing a printed color that coordinates with but does not contain the exact same shade as your main color to prevent the colorwork from appearing muddy. The yarn can be manipulated during knitting by skipping portions to find optimal color placement, though the sample hats shown were knitted using the yarn as it came off the ball.

Needles and Notions

• Circular knitting needle – 16 inches in size 7 (4.5 mm)
• Double-pointed needles (dpn) – Size 7 (4.5 mm) for working the final crown decreases
• Stitch marker – For marking the beginning of rounds

Gauge and Finishing Details

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure your finished hat matches the intended measurements. The hat is constructed entirely in the round without seaming, creating a seamless, professional finish. The colorwork charts provided guide the placement of the two-color pattern, with decreases strategically incorporated to shape the crown from the full stitch count down to closure.