Boilermaker

I definitely have a weakness for farm yarns, and I often find myself in a festival booth with two different skeins in hand, unable to decide if I will get the light gray or the dark gray -- and desperately wanting both because they are equally beautiful and squishy and heathery and came from a wonderful vendor I want to support.

Last summer I decided to buy both from Ross Farm. One of these skeins is a Shetland wool, and the other is a Jacob wool. They had the same feel and drape and were similar weight so I figured it could work out. I love a tone on tone gray, and these just looked beautiful together.

The hat features a striking stranded motif that reads as just a little bit sophisticated when you mix those light and dark shades together. It’s earthy but modern. As is often the case, the repeat only looks hard - it’s two colors, addictive, and easier than you think.

The way in which I began and ended the design allows for the brim to be one color and the crown to become the other in a “star” at top. To add one more detail, I created a pom in my brim color. The pom is optional, but kind of seals the deal for me.

Note that the yarn used is listed as a sport weight yarn, but I love how it knits up in a Worsted Gauge. If substituting yarn, and not in the mood to modify things, you will want a light worsted.

However, there are instructions in the pattern for modifying if anyone wants to knit this for a different gauge or wants to create an alternate size.

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