A Beginner Colorwork Hat

March 15, 2023

Knit the Norwell Hat in Woolstok Tweed

The Norwell Hat is our Everyone Loves Hats pattern for the month of March. Knit using Woolstok Tweed, our newest Woolstok yarn, is made from a blend of 85% Fine Highland Wool and 15% Donegal, Woolstok Tweed is an excellent yarn for warm and colorful hats.

The Norwell Hat uses the stranded color method. This method of color knitting is when two or more yarns are worked at the same time, yarns not in use are stranded loosely across the wrong side of the piece. The Norwell Hat uses short floats and only two colors per row, allowing for you to learn a new technique. A float is the strand of yarn that runs across the back of your work (colorwork fabric) and you carry this yarn until you need it again. Since this hat project only uses two colors per row and has a two stitch repeat, you only carry the color not in use for two stitches. This allows you to easily control your tension. See the photo below which shows the right side (left image) and the wrong side including floats (right image).

Are you ready to make your own Norwell Hat? Pick from 14 colors of Woolstok Tweed and start knitting your own creation. Use three colors, like our hat for a fun color contrast. Pick two colors of Woolstok Tweed to keep it simple or use one hank in a solid color for a quick one-hank wonder project.

Here are some exciting color combinations to try.

For a monochromatic look, use any three similar shades such as No. 3304 Prairie Sky, No. 3305 Blue Lichen, & No. 3306 Midsummer Night. For a slight contrast, use two similar shades and one neutral such as No. 3302 Silver Birch, No. 3312 Sage Rose, & No. 3311 Plum Brandy. For a bold contrast, pick any three colors (like our hat), No. 3300 Rolled Oats, No. 3307 Fern Frond, & No. 3309 Deep Earth.

A Great Pom Pom is Key

Multi-color pom (shown on hat), color-block pom shown top right, and single color pom shown bottom right.

First, it’s important to invest in a circular pom pom maker. A circular pom maker will give you consistent shape for that perfect pom pom. We used the 3½” pom pom maker from Clover. Follow the instructions included with the pom pom maker; the fullness is personal preference, but we recommend you count your wraps and have the same number of wraps on each side. Once complete, use sharp scissors for trimming. If you want to make a solid color pom, just use one color. You can also make a multi-color pom by holding all three colors together at the same time when wrapping. To achieve the color-block pom, wrap one section with color A, one section with color B, and one section with color C to give you that perfect colorblock look. See our pom pom examples in the photo above.

If you are interested in making more than one, attach the pom by using a simple bow tie. By doing this, you can easily remove and change out your pom to a different option, giving you a completely new look. Note: Pom makers are made in a variety of sizes, be unique and make a different size pom. Try the jumbo pom for a fun, bold look.