Counterpoint brings together two contrasting colors and a rhythmic slip-stitch pattern in a hat with texture and depth. Inspired by the musical idea of counterpoint, the colors work together while each remains distinct. Only one color is worked per round, making this an approachable way to explore two-color knitting.

Worked seamlessly in the round from brim to crown, Counterpoint begins with a generous 3-inch ribbed brim. The textured body leads into a crown shaped with simple decreases, with alternating colors continuing through the shaping.

Choose two contrasting colors to highlight the stitch pattern. My sample uses Miss Babs Yowza in Sagrada and Mariposa, a superwash merino wool that shows off the texture beautifully.

Counterpoint can be enjoyed on its own or used as a wearable gauge swatch for the coordinating Counterpoint Pullover. It gives you a chance to become familiar with the stitch pattern and see how your yarn and colors work together before beginning a larger project.

The pattern includes five sizes: XS, S, M, L, and 1X.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• How to create two-color texture using slipped stitches while working with one color per round
• How to follow a charted stitch pattern in the round
• How to work a stretchy cast-on, with a tutorial link for the Old Norwegian cast-on
• How to work a knit-three, purl-two ribbed brim
• How to shape a crown using knit-two-together decreases
• How to use a hat as a wearable gauge swatch for a coordinating garment

Counterpoint Hat was originally published in the Summer 2026 issue of Cast On, The Knitting Guild Association’s magazine. The pattern rights have since returned to designer Joy Friedman, and the hat is now available directly from Top of the World Knits.

SIZES

XS (S, M, L, 1X)

Finished circumference: 16 (18, 20, 22, 24) inches

Finished height: 9 (9.5, 9.75, 10.25, 10.75) inches

Measurements are for the finished hat, not the wearer’s head circumference.

YARN

Worsted-weight yarn in two contrasting colors.

Sample yarn: Miss Babs Yowza, 100% Superwash Merino Wool, 560 yds / 512 m per 225 g hank.

Main Color: Sagrada
Contrasting Color: Mariposa

The original pattern lists one hank of each color for all sizes. These are purchase quantities, rather than the amount of yarn used in the hat.

NEEDLES

US 6 / 4 mm needles for the slip-stitch pattern and US 4 / 3.5 mm needles for the ribbing, or sizes needed to obtain gauge.

Needles suitable for working in the round, plus double-pointed needles or your preferred method for working the smaller circumference of the crown.

GAUGE

20 sts and 35 rounds = 4 inches / 10 cm in Counterpoint stitch pattern.

SKILLS NEEDED

Knitting and purling in the round, working from a stitch chart, changing colors, slipping stitches, and working knit-two-together decreases.