Our new Owen hat is a simple and classic colorwork hat that is fun and entertaining to knit. There are two different size options, one fitted and one with a looser fit. And there are two different sample versions using the exact same charts but yielding very different looks. Both sizes are designed to fit a head circumference from 18-22 inches, which covers a wide age range from child to adult size.

The classic two-color hat shows off the crisp colorwork of the contrasting colors, in either the red or blue, against the heathered oatmeal background. We just love this classic look for any gender. The colorwork “stripes” add a fun twist to the traditional look of the hat.

The colorful version of Owen uses a creamy white background with five gorgeous colors worked together and alone throughout the hat. The colorful version is inspired by one of our favorite local nature conservancies. The colors directly relate to the gorgeous Wisconsin landscape we see especially in the late summer or early fall including blue sky, field grasses, purple and orange wildflowers and of course the green grassland.

We hope you enjoy this simple dip into two-color stranded knitting. This pattern would be especially good for beginners and experienced knitters alike.

Finished circumference measurements

17 (19) inch (43 48 cm) circumference, 8 (9) inch (20 22.5 cm) length from cast-on edge to the top of the hat at the gather.

Note on Intended Fit:

Either size can fit a head circumference of 18-22-inches comfortably. The smaller size makes a snug fitting hat and the larger size makes a looser fitting hat. My head measures 22-inches and both sizes fit me really well. The yarn and fabric have a lot of stretch. The Wisconsin Woolen Spun yarn really blooms and expands a bit with washing.

The two-color hat is shown in the smaller size.

The colorful hat is shown in the larger size.

Yarn

Classic two-color version:

Barrett Wool Co. Wisconsin Woolen Spun Fingering Weight, (450 yards or 411m/100 grams), 1 skein each in Oats (MC) and Harbor or Jam (CC).

Colorful version:

Barrett Wool Co. Wisconsin Woolen Spun Fingering Weight, (450 yards or 411m/100 grams), 1 skein in Birch (MC).

Barrett Wool Co. Fingering Weight (370 yards or 338m/100 grams) small amounts (approx.
90 yards/25 grams each) in each of ve contrasting colors. Sample uses: Birch (MC) and Grassland (CC1), Wool Violet (CC2), Field (CC3), Wishing Well (CC4), and Marmalade (CC5). This includes yarn for the pom-pom; if not mak- ing one, you will only need a small amount of CC5.

Needles

US size 2 (3mm), 16-inch circular needles and double-pointed needles or size to obtain gauge.

Gauge

7.5 stitches and 8 rows per inch in stockinette stitch

Materials

Yarn needle
Stitch markers