This hat pattern uses 5 colours of fingering-weight merino yarn, ideally, leftovers from a fade project. It is a hat I made for my daughter and she loves it so much I thought I’d share my notes.

A provisional cast-on is used to make a double-sided brim before carrying on with a single-sided fabric for the remainder of the hat. Fingering-weight yarn is held double, for extra fading effect and warmth, with strands of varying colours being added and removed sequentially to make a marbled fade pattern from brim to top of hat. You are, of course, not restricted to 5 colours, as you can modify the colour sequencing as you see fit, or as needed, based on the yarn you would like to use. This pattern describes the making of the hat based on 5 colours.

Size: 21 - 22 inch circumference.

Materials:

• 3.5 mm needles: 40 cm (16 in) circular needle (or longer if you plan to use magic loop) or dpns, or as required to meet gauge;

• Crochet needle (i.e. 2-3 mm) for provisional cast-on;

• Waste, smooth fingering yarn for provisional cast-on;

• Spare circular needle of 3.5 mm for picking up provisional cast-on stitches;

• Stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round;

• Darning needle to weave in loose ends;

• Approximately 75 g (275 m) merino fingering yarn such as Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles 100 g = 366 m or 400y, or similar yarn. In this hat, I used Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles in the following colours:

• Yarn A: Graphite (21 g)
• Yarn B: Salty Tales (16 g)
• Yarn C: Crystal (16g)
• Yarn D: Cheeky (16g)
• Yarn E: Daydream (6g)

• Digital scale to measure weights of yarn (optional);

• Faux fur pompom or make your own pompom using extra yarn (pompom-making instructions and material requirements are not included in this pattern).

It is assumed in the pattern that the knitter has some knowledge of knitting in the round and allows the user to choose whichever method they find easiest: short circular needles, dpns, magic loop, etc. The pattern does not provide specific details in how to do a provisional cast-on, however a link to an online demonstration video is included.