Blind Contour Hat

Knitter: Tiffany N.
Size 3 on 22.5″ (57 cm) head

SHOULDER SEASON — Knitter: Kristen H.
Size 5 with added length

Through the years, I’ve taken all sorts of art classes to explore new techniques and sharpen my creative skills. Among other exercises, I’ve tried blind contour drawings, which are created with a single line without looking at the subject and without lifting the pencil off the page. There’s a beauty and simplicity to using a single line to define an object. BLIND CONTOUR HAT uses a single elegant line with intuitive German short rows to create a subtly slouchy hat with only the starting and ending tails to weave in.

Blind Contour Hat on Ravelry

Blind Contour Hat on Payhip

Blind Contour Hat on Knit Picks Website

Find full gallery images here.

YARN
Sample 1: Knit Picks Brava Worsted, 100% Acrylic, 219 yd / 200 m per 100 g, 1 skein.
Sample 2: Knit Picks Chroma Twist Worsted Weight, 70% Wool, 30% Nylon, 218 yd / 199 m per 100 g, 1 skein.
www.knitpicks.com
Use any worsted weight yarn you prefer to achieve gauge.

GAUGE & NEEDLES
22 stitches & 28 rounds = 4” / 10 cm on larger needles in stockinette stitch after blocking
US 5 / 3.75 mm circular needle, 16” / 40 cm or 1 size smaller than main body needle
US 6 / 4.0 mm circular needle, 16” / 40 cm and 32” / 80 cm for magic loop decreases, or double-pointed needles

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
1 (2, 3, 4)
Circumference: 17.5” (18.5”, 19.6”, 20.7”) / 40.5 (44.5, 48, 52.5) cm
Front height: 8.4” (8.6”, 8.6”, 9”) / 21 (22, 22, 23) cm
Back height: 11” (11.25”, 11.25”, 11.5”) / 28 (28.5, 28.5, 29) cm

Choose a size with 2”-4” / 5-10 cm of negative ease for a snug fit.

Sample 1: Size 4 shown in Knit Picks Brava Worsted in colorway Tranquil, 171 yd / 156 m (78 g).
Sample 2: Size 3 shown in Knit Picks Chroma Twist Worsted weight, colorway Wednesday, 139.5 yd / 127.6 m (64 g)

TOOLS
6 stitch markers, 1 unique for beginning of round
Scissors
Tapestry needle
Tubular cast-on with waste yarn will also require a small amount of smooth waste yarn and crochet hook

TECHNIQUES
Tubular cast-on with waste yarn, knit stitch, purl stitch, German short rows

PATTERN ATTRIBUTES
This is a written pattern with 4 size options.

EXPLORE ON INSTAGRAM
#BlindContourHat

Tech Editing: Bronwyn Hahn
Test knitting: Cathy A., Gabriella B., Leslie C-R., Valerie J., Kathrin K., Laura L., Tiffany N. & Lauren S.

From Susie W.

I always find Shana’s designs to be a great blend of soothing and relaxing knitting as well as interesting and engaging construction and finishing techniques – basically my favorite kind of project! Her patterns are very well-written and are as enjoyable to knit as they are to wear.

Susie has knit many Shanalines Designs patterns including SuperCape, Space Positive Wrap, Recalibrate, Shoulder Season, and Drawn Together.

From Cori B.

What a great test knitting experience! The expectations were very clear, there was constant communication (I love the use of discord for test knitting- so much more streamlined than using an IG chat or an email)- I love that it was a communal experience without being overwhelming. I would absolutely apply to test knit again.

And the pattern is so ingenious- a fun and quick knit, that feels solid, with minimal finishing (literally two ends to weave per mitt). I’m so excited to use them!

Cori B. was a test knitter for Turnover.

From TheKnittedBean

I appreciate the recipe or blueprint-like quality of the Shanalines Designs patterns which leave space for the maker to get truly creative and give each piece their own touch whether that be by substitution of yarns, or by the ease with which this allows the use of handspun that might have varying gauge, or even modular play with color. Ten different people can make a pattern by Shana and it can look like ten different patterns, there are no cookie cutters here!

TheKnittedBean test knit Share the Fun.

From Marieke vB.

These cuffs work up extremely quickly, are quick to knit and make a great gift for anyone. They are a perfect introduction if you’re new to short rows in knitting. Shana’s patterns are always written clearly and easy to follow.

Marieke vB. test knit Side Hustle Cuffs. She has also test knit Doubled Up Hat and Shoulder Season and knit many other Shanalines Designs projects!

From Pia

Shana’s designs are always on point! Her attention to finishing details result in handknits that are both unique and classic. Her patterns are well written and thoughtful. I’m a fan!

Pia has test knit several Shanalines Designs patterns!

From Allena W. / Starknits

Shana is such a fun person and I enjoy spending time with her. Her energy comes through in classes and her patterns. I love the modular knitting and how her patterns are written. I love how open to making it your own Shana is. I’ve test knit a few of her patterns and she always is down for using handspun or different yarn or adding a detail to make it specific to the knitter.

Allena was a test knitter for Semantics, Modular Coffee Cup Cozy, Shoulder Season and Split Decision Mitts.

From Ellie F.

Very clear concise pattern, a joy to test. Cables were fun and unique and the design came together perfectly.

Ellie F. test knit High Desert Headband.

From Leah S. – Gratitude_Knits

I first met Shana through a retreat where she taught her modular knitting technique with her modular knit case and bowl. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a class with her. Her teaching style is engaging and inclusive to all students.

I was immediately fascinated with her unique approach to design. Her patterns take techniques I’ve used in much simpler ways and make them hers in a seriously fun and unexpected way. Since the retreat, I’ve knit the modular Bento Bag and test knit the Turnover mitts. I’m looking forward to knitting one of her sweater designs. I just need to decide which one and if I have to wait to spin enough yarn for it.

Leah S. – Gratitude_Knits took a class at Super Summer Knitogether 2023. She has knit Modular Knit Cast, Modular Bento Bag, and test knit Turnover.

From Claudia W.

Very fun pattern and probably the best tutorial I’ve ever seen for the tubular cast-on. The fit is perfect and the way the thumb gusset flows out of the ribbing is just so satisfying!

Claudia W. test knit Office Hours.

From Lynn C.

I have made a couple of Shana’s designs and love them. Her patterns are clear, knit up perfectly and are unique. I always learn something new and enjoy both the process and the final product. I look forward to knitting more of her designs.

Lynn has knit Moduloncho and Coin Flip Hat, and was a test knitter for Side Hustle Wrap (Light).

From Sara D.

I test knit the puff cuff mitts for Shana. She was a pleasure to work with, she answered questions promptly and took suggestions gracefully. The pattern was easy to follow and fun to knit. The videos included in the pattern are helpful and well done.

Sara test knit Puff Cuffs.

From Pam S.

I really love Shana’s designs, including Puff Cuffs, which I’ve just recently knit! Cute and fun to knit, with a few challenges to keep it interesting. I especially like how thorough Shana is in her explanations of multi-step techniques! Ive come across some new-to-me ways of doing things while knitting these, but the explanations are clear, and my Puff Cuffs turned out great!

Pam has been to Zombie Knitpocalypse 2021, 2022, and 2023. She has knit many Shanalines Designs patterns including PB Sandwich Hat and Recalibrate, and has test knit Semantics, Peapod Marble Fidget Toy, Textured Marble Fidget Toy, Modular Coffee Cup Cozy, Shoulder Season, and Puff Cuffs.