Genius Tips
First Knitter: Setesdal Hat
After knitting the five color photo sample for Field Guide No. 23: Glow, I wanted to see the bones of the color work more clearly by knitting a Setesdal Hat in two colors of Norwegian Wool.
Lounge knitters Memaw (Cappucino and Daphne), Decourtney (Coastal Fjord and Vanilla Custard), and Sallygtx (Red Velvet and Frost Pink) also chose two-color Setesdal Hats.
Keeping an eye on the Setesdal Hat KAL in the Lounge, I noticed several other knitters had the same idea. Great minds!
Here’s Ann’s two-color Setesdal in Cloud Dancer and Peat.
My Mods
Main Color (MC) Peat and Contrast Color (CC) Wind Chime
My own version begins with a deeper 12 round ribbing, this suits my head and covers my ears more snugly while also covering and holding my twisty bun.
To adapt the chart for 2 colors, use the MC for shades A and D and the CC for shades B, C and E:
- Rounds 1–5 Work A in the MC, work B in the CC
- Rounds 6–11 Work D in the MC, work C in the CC
- Rounds 12–16 Work E in the CC
- Rounds 17–22 Work as 6–11
- Rounds 23–27 Work as 1–6
- Rounds 28–38 Work A in the MC, work C in the CC.
I worked one more round of MC, before shaping the top, and I swapped out the mirrored decrease for a Center Double Decrease.
To work a Center Double Decrease, slip 2 stitches as if to K2tog, knit 1, pass the 2 slipped stitches over.
This technique creates spines that lead to the 4 stitch I-cord, shown here knit long enough to tie with an overhand knot.
Following the pattern for the marker set up, then
Decrease: *Knit to 2 stitches before marker, remove the marker, CDD, place the marker; repeat from * to the end, and include a decrease at the BOR marker.
8 stitches have been decreased.
Knit one round.
Repeat the decrease every other round 12 more times, changing to DPNs when necessary. 8 stitches remain.
Knit one round. (For a flat, plain top, thread the tail through live stitches, pull tight, fasten off, and you’re done.)
For the embellished top, set up for the I-cord by K2tog four times. 4 stitches remain.
To work I-cord: *Slip all stitches to the other end of your needle. Knit across all stitches.*
Work the I-cord to your desired length, then fasten off and knot!
But, wait, there’s more.
For a delightful difference, I added a few cross stitches with leftover bits of that sunny yellow, Gold Nugget. I tied off each and every X on the inside.
Tiny crosses over single stitches at the top for extra cuteness. You could also use Duplicate Stitch.
Note: When knit to gauge, there will be enough of the CC remaining to make a second hat, but another ball (or different shade) of the MC will be required.
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I love it! Especially the embroidery!
Thanks, Gina!
Thank you, Nell! Saved and added to my (very, very lengthy) list for the next cast on. The hints of yellow added cross-stitches are perfection 🙂
Love the two color hats. And I really love the addition of the cross stitches. It’s amazing what that little bit of gold does!
My thoughts exactly.
☀️
Thanks Jenn!
Inspirational!! I like the idea of exploring the bones of the pattern.
xo ML. Always explore the bones…
I started this hat 3 times but I really didn’t like the ribbing, did you use the pattern ribbing or one by one, two by two???
Thank you for giving permission to make A pattern your own!
Very clever! Love checking out your work and ideas to make a pattern your own!
Completely fascinating to see this as a two color creation! AND I agree with so many people here that the gold embroidery makes it sing. What fun you are, Nell! Thank you for this.
I’m planning to make a 2 (or 3) color hat for my hubby, now that I’ve finished two in the five colors. Plenty of leftover yarn, and I LOVE Nell’s addition of the little crosses. I added some duplicate stitch (first time ever) to my first Setasdal hat, adding color E to the center of the crosses at the top of the chart, and I really like how it came out. But I also like the way you made the little ‘x’s and tied each one off on the inside. Your hat and notes are inspirational – thank you so much, Nell!