The Signal Hat’s design was inspired by brightly colored signal flags strung along the mast lines of sailing ships that I observed one summer while visiting family in Maine. I love to play with both color and shape in my knitting, so the possibility of incorporating the trusty triangle into a fun balance of color-play seemed like the perfect match for a new colorwork hat.

There are other opportunities for play here as well: work the cast on in a pop color for a bit of additional fun, go two-tone using only two colors, or full rainbow with different colors for each set of triangles — the possibilities are (nearly) limitless. Given the small amount of yarn needed for each set of triangles, this is also a great hat for stash-busting.

Construction
This colorwork hat is written for three sizes to fit the heads of most people ages child through adult. The solid-color brim begins with a rib cable cast on for a stretchy edge that leads directly into 1x1 rib. The remainder of the hat is worked in stockinette stitch. The stranded colorwork can be worked from charted or written instructions. The hat is written for five total colors; those may be adjusted as desired. Finished in a solid color, the crown features directional decreases to form a six-point star.

Pattern includes tips on achieving a uniform colorwork gauge and float management. The colorwork patterning is both charted and written.

Sizes
S (M, L)

Finished Dimensions
Circumference at widest point: 16½ (18, 19½)” / 42 (45.5, 49.5) cm
Length: 7 (8, 9)” / 18 (20.5, 23) cm

• All measurements are after blocking.
• Sized to fit heads 18½–19½ (20–21, 21½–22½)” / 47–49.5 (51–53.5, 54.5–57) cm with 2–3” / 5–7.5 cm of negative ease.

Gauge
32 sts & 38 rounds = 4” / 10 cm in colorwork Signal Stitch pattern using main needle after blocking

Yarn
Fingering weight yarn in the following amounts for S (M, L):
MC: 105 (131, 162) yd / 96 (120, 148) m
CC1, CC2 & CC3: 20 (22, 24) yd / 18 (20, 22) m
CC4: 10 (11, 12) yd / 9 (10, 11) m

• Each set of triangles uses approximately 10 (11, 12) yd / 9 (10, 11) m of yarn.
• If working cast on and first 3 rounds of brim ribbing in a contrasting color, add an additional 9 (10, 11) yd / 8 (9, 10) m to that CC’s yardage (and MC yardage will be that many fewer yards/meters).

Turquoise sample shown in Knitted Wit GEMS (75% superwash merino, 25% nylon; 231 yd / 211 m per 50 g; 46 yd / 42 m per 10 g) in colors Amazonite (MC), Habanero (CC1), Canopy (CC2), Haute Pink (CC3) & Key Lime Pie (CC4) in Size S
For all sizes:
MC: one 50 g skein
CC1, CC2, CC3 & CC4: one 10 g skein each

Needles
Main needle = US 3 / 3.25 mm (or size needed to meet gauge)
Ribbing needle = US 2 / 2.75 mm (or 1 size smaller than main needle)

• For both needle sizes, use either double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needles (16” / 40 cm or longer if using Magic Loop). The hat crown will require DPNs or Magic Loop.
• You may wish to also use a needle 1 size larger than the main needle if your gauge over your colorwork fabric is tighter than the listed gauge.

Notions
6 stitch markers including 1 unique marker for BOR, tapestry needle; optional: D-3 / 3.25 mm crochet hook size (or same size as main needle) for Rib Cable Cast On

This pattern has been expertly tech edited by Jerrah Robbins (Robbins Tech Editing Services) and was test knit by a wonderful group of test knitters.

Share your finished Signal Hats using hashtags #RDKSignalHat and #RainyDayKnits. I can’t wait to see them all!

Happy Knitting,
Jen