The Gradient Hat is a perfect pattern for your showstopper hand-dyed skein you’ve kept safely in your stash, waiting for the right time. I would recommend a tonal or semisolid yarn for your main color (MC) and choosing a contrast color that either features in the MC dye or compliments closely to get that gradient look. I choose an alpaca hand-dyed yarn from Bent Limb Farm in Shoemakersville, PA, and paired it with a natural white single-ply handspun. Have fun with your colors, and enjoy your knitting!

Pro tip: stay away from self-striping variegated yarns if you don’t want drastic changes in color - two yarns are supposed to do the work of this contrast, not one.