This hat was inspired by a virtual class at TKGA’s 2025 Next Level Conference, where I discovered the ladderback jacquard (LBJ) technique—a game changer for stranded colorwork. Unlike traditional float-catching, LBJ hides long floats on the back, keeping the fabric smooth and clean. This design became the perfect canvas to showcase both the method and the colors, resulting in a bold yet wearable hat that’s as enjoyable to knit as it is to wear. See the associated article on the LBJ technique in the Summer 2024 of Cast On.