Fade by Michele Wang

Fade

Knitting
September 2012
yarn held together
Fingering
+ Fingering
= Worsted (9 wpi) ?
18 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette Stitch with yarn held double on largest needle
US 7 - 4.5 mm
US 5 - 3.75 mm
US 4 - 3.5 mm
300 yards (274 m)
18" brim circumference (unstretched), 24" circumference at widest point; to fit head sizes 20"-24"
English
This pattern is available for $10.00 USD
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The clean shape of this classic slouchy cap is the perfect canvas for a beautiful ombre fabric. The marled gradient is formed by working with double- stranded yarn that alternates between 3 consecutive values of color. For a bold gradient effect, choose 3 colors that are equally spaced on the value scale (light, medium and dark), or for a more subtle shift choose three similar values that have subtle shifts in color.

In our brown sample we started with the lightest value so the hat darkens towards the crown; swapping color 1 and 3 will reverse the direction of the gradient. For all its simplicity, the results are truly enchanting as well as addicting (knitters at our headquarters are hooked!)

With three shades Loft yarn, you can knit the hat twice – reversing your gradient’s direction on your second sample – and still have three-quarters of a skein leftover in Color 2 for another project.


CONSTRUCTION

  • Hat is knit in the round from beginning to end and features a 1x1 Tubular Cast On.
  • Yarn is held doubled throughout; the gradient effect is created by changing which colors are being held together as you work.

MATERIALS
Three colors of fingering weight wool yarn in varying amounts
1 skein of Brooklyn Tweed Loft in each of three colors (100% American Targhee-Columbia Wool; 275 yards/50g)

You will need the following amounts for each color:
Color 1: Approximately 77 yards
Color 2: Approximately 25 yards
Color 3: Approximately 195 yards

Note: With three shades of Loft yarn, you can knit the hat twice – reversing your gradient’s direction on your second sample – and still have three-quarters of a skein leftover in Color 2 for another project.

Sample 1 (browns) uses colors Fossil (Color 1), Woodsmoke (Color 2) and Barn Owl (Color 3); Sample 2 (darks) uses colors Artifact (Color 1), Meteorite (Color 2) and Pumpernickel (Color 3)

GAUGE
18 stitches & 26 rows = 4” in circular stockinette stitch and yarn held double with Gauge Needle; measurement taken from relaxed fabric after blocking

NEEDLES
Needle A (Gauge Needle): One 16” circular and one set of DPNs (or one long circular, if using the Magic Loop knitting method) in size needed to obtain gauge
Suggested Size: 4½ mm (US 7)

Needle B: One 16” circular needle two sizes smaller than Needle A
Suggested Size: 3¾ mm (US 5)

Needle C (Used for Tubular Cast On only): One 16” circular needle one size smaller than Needle B
Suggested Size: 3½ mm (US 4)

FINISHED DIMENSIONS
18” brim circumference (unstretched), 24” circumference at widest point, 10¼“ height
To fit head sizes 20”-24”

SKILL LEVEL
2 of 5