Peak to shore

Peak to Shore Colourwork Hat by Fiona Hamilton-MacLaren

What is Being Made

Peak to Shore is a downloadable knitting pattern for a colourwork hat designed by independent designer Fiona Hamilton-MacLaren. This intermediate-level project features a narrative colourwork design that takes knitters on a visual journey from ocean waves at the shore, through a forest, and up to mountain peaks. The hat is available in five sizes: extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large.

Design and Colourwork Technique

The hat showcases colourwork patterning as its central design feature, with the pattern chart guiding knitters through the scenic progression from shore to peak. The colourwork technique adds visual interest and narrative depth to the finished garment. It is important to note that colourwork knitting reduces the natural stretch of stockinette stitch fabric, which is why this pattern requires casting on more stitches than a plain knit hat of the same finished size would require.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

Peak to Shore employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting skills:

• Cast on – establishing stitches on the needles
• Knit stitch – the primary stitch used throughout
• Purl stitch – used in combination with knit stitches
• Knitting in the round – creating a seamless, tubular hat structure
• Colourwork – carrying and switching between two contrasting yarn colours to create the pattern
• Decreasing stitches – shaping the crown of the hat using k2tog (knit two stitches together)
• Weaving in ends – finishing the garment neatly

The pattern is worked in stocking stitch, which creates a smooth, classic knit fabric. Gauge is set at 16 stitches and 24 rows over 10 centimetres in stocking stitch, ensuring proper fit and drape.

Materials and Tools Required

Yarn: The pattern calls for 100 grams of Aran weight yarn total, divided equally between two contrasting colours. Each colour requires 50 grams, equivalent to approximately 166 metres per 100 grams. This yardage and weight combination provides sufficient yarn for the complete hat across all five sizes.

Needles: Knitters may choose either 5.0mm circular needles or 5.0mm double-pointed needles for working in the round, depending on personal preference and technique familiarity.

Notions and Accessories: A tapestry needle is needed for weaving in yarn ends, and stitch markers assist in tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings during the knitting process.

Pattern Format and Difficulty Level

Peak to Shore is provided as a downloadable PDF pattern, making it accessible for immediate use. The pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to tackle colourwork and shaping. The combination of knitting in the round, two-colour colourwork, and crown decreasing requires confidence with multiple techniques, though each individual skill is foundational to knitting.