The Eduardo Hat: The Inspiration behind it.

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In 2014, I lost someone who meant so much to me—my Uncle Eduardo. He wasn’t just an uncle; he was like a second father. His presence in my life was full of love, guidance, and the warmth of family. I share wonderful memories of him and his family spending the weekends at my grandma's house, going to the beach, many days at his house where he cooked delicious meals, and him being part of most of the important moments in my life.

When he passed, I knew I wanted to find a way to, respectfully, design a piece inspired by him.

The Eduardo Hat was born from that desire to create something that reflected who he was—his love for life, his roots, and the culture he held so dear. Uncle Eduardo was proud of his Colombian heritage, and it showed in everything he did. He loved Colombian food, the lively music, and the people he called family and friends. This hat is a small tribute to all of that, a piece of him woven into every stitch.

The Fair Isle Design

When thinking about how to represent my uncle’s love for Colombia, I knew a Fair Isle design would be perfect. Fair Isle knitting involves working with multiple colors to create intricate patterns. For me, this technique felt like a way to capture the vibrancy and richness of his Colombian roots. The pattern draws inspiration from traditional motifs, reimagined in a way that feels both modern and timeless.

The Eduardo Hat comes in two versions to reflect both simplicity and complexity, much like life itself.

The Four-Color Version: For more experienced knitters, I designed a second version that uses four colors, adding depth and richness to the pattern. This version challenges you to explore the full beauty of Fair Isle knitting, with the interplay of colors creating a truly dynamic look. It’s perfect for those who want to expand their skills.

Both versions capture the essence of Uncle Eduardo’s joyful view of life and the culture he loved so much.

Choosing the Yarn: Wool Ease by Lion Brand

For this design, I chose Wool Ease from Lion Brand Yarn, a versatile and affordable yarn that I love working with. It blends the warmth of wool with the ease of care that acrylic offers. Wool Ease has the perfect weight for this project—it knits up beautifully and is soft enough to wear on even the chilliest days. Plus, the wide range of colors available made it easy to create the perfect palette for this design.

Why The Eduardo Hat Is Special

Designing this hat was emotional, but also incredibly fulfilling. Every time I look at the finished piece, I see a little bit of Uncle Eduardo in it—the pride he took in his culture, the warmth he showed to everyone he met, and the joy he found in life’s simplest moments. It’s my hope that when knitters make this hat, they feel a similar connection.

I invite you to give The Eduardo Hat a try. Whether you choose the two-color version to dip your toes into colorwork or go all out with the four-color version, I’m sure you’ll find the experience rewarding. The pattern is available to you, and I can’t wait to see how you bring this design to life in your own way.

You can find the pattern on:

Etsy

Ravelry

Website

I would love to see your Eduardo Hat, so feel free to tag me on social media when share your finished hats, and use the hashtag #theeduardohat

Happy knitting, and thank you for sharing in the story of The Eduardo Hat. 

Yessy