Fledgling Hat

A fledgling is a young bird who has ventured out of the nest for the first time, still growing out its feathers and gaining independence. With its short floats and simple crown shaping, the Fledgling Hat’s all-over colourwork pattern of short feathers is suitable for those new to stranded knitting. Two sizes are included, as well as tips on tension, swatching, and colour dominance.

Skills & Techniques

  • Stranded colourwork and following colourwork charts

  • Working a small circumference in the round

  • Working decreases

Materials Needed

  • 1 skein in each of 2 colours of Brooklyn Tweed Loft (100% Wool; 275yds/251m per 50g skein), or 90.75 (102)yds/83 (93.25)m of fingering-weight yarn for the Main Colour (MC) + 114.5 (140)yds/104.75 (128)m for the Contrast Colour (CC). Sample colourways: Woodsmoke MC + Artifact (Homemade Jam) CC

  • US 3/3.25mm needles for working in the round (or needle size that gives you the right gauge), plus the same size needles for working a small circumference in the round

  • US 2/2.75mm needles for working in the round (or one size smaller than your main needles) for working the ribbing

  • One end-of-round stitch marker, and a needle for weaving in the ends

Finished Measurements

  • Relaxed after blocking: 18.9 (21.25)”/48 (54)cm brim circumference, and 7.9 (8.25)”/20 (21)cm height from brim to crown

  • To fit 20-21 (22-23)”/50.5-53.5 (56-58.5)cm head circumference.

Read more about the Fledgling Hat and its inspiration on my blog.