Ripple Effect is a fun hat pattern that lets you play with color or go neutral for a more sophisticated look. Short repeats make it an easy two-color knit and clever stitch manipulation makes the pattern appear seamless. Fits average adult head.

You’ll need at least:
100 yds each of the two ripple colors
10 yds for border dots, if you want an accent color

Smooth, soft yarns in a light-to-medium worsted weight work best for this pattern.

I originally knit the hat on size 8 needles with Knit Picks Swish Worsted Superwash Merino (black/tan hat #1, teal hat, purple/rust hat, gray/gray hat, and red/blue hat) and I like that yarn a lot. I’ve also found that Knit Picks Brava Sport Acrylic (purple hat), despite the designation as a sport weight yarn, knits to the required gauge on size 8 needles, so it’s another possibility.

Berroco Ultra Wool (black/tan hat #2, black/teal hat #2) is a basic superwash wool that comes in a huge range of colors. It knits to gauge on size 7 needles.

Berroco Lanas (black/olive hat) is a traditional wool with a good selection of colors. It handles beautifully and knits to gauge on size 7 needles.

Sirdar Country Classic Worsted (red/black hat), a wool/acrylic mix, is another good choice. It knits to gauge on size 7 needles.

Be aware that many popular yarns labelled as worsted are actually a heavy worsted weight and will not knit up at the right gauge for this hat, so it’s really critical that you knit a gauge swatch.

You’ll need either a 16” or 20” circular needle and a set of double-pointed needles, as well as 12 stitch markers and a tapestry needle.