This is Amy E. Anderson’s “Merrily We Roll Along.” The pattern is available through her Ravelry store and at Blackberry Ridge. I purchased my pattern at a local fiber festival, kitted up with about two ounces of Blackberry Ridge worsted weight in off-white and another two ounces of their multi-color worsted.

The pattern is a threefer. It’s shown here in the simple “salt ‘n pepper” version. (Knit one stitch in one color, then one in the other color, then alternate on the next round). Anderson’s pattern also includes a vertical stripe version and a spiral-of-color version. All three versions eliminate the need to take any steps to avoid the dreaded “jog” at the round change.

At the crown decreases, Anderson recommends you choose one of the yarn colors to finish off the hat. Next time I make this, I believe I will simply continue the two colors and just work the decreases in.

The decreases are a bit abrupt, as compared to most crowns. That causes the crown section to bunch up, but it’s a design feature rather than a flaw and I like it. My only modifications were to work a row straight between all of the decrease rows.  And I knitted down to four stitches, worked I-cord for about four inches, and then tied a knot to finish it off.

“Salt ‘n pepper” creates a very firm fabric–so firm that the hat stands up on its own. That’s good. It will also stand up well to cold weather.