Pattern: Fair Isle Knit Hat

March 17, 2023March 17, 2023

This fair isle knit hat pattern is quick to knit up and very cozy. This is a great pattern for beginners at colorwork knitting who want to give it a try! Only two colors are involved.

Photo of a fair isle knit hat in green and white sitting on a wooden table.

Materials

MC: 100 yards of worsted weight yarn.
CC: 100 yards of worsted weight yarn.
5mm (US size 8) circular knitting needles (at least 16 minches).
One stitch marker
OPTIONAL: 5mm (US size 8) double-pointed knitting needles.
OPTIONAL: craft needle to weave in the ends.

Below are a few recommendations for yarn and supplies for this project that you can order from Amazon.

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Finished Size

The final beanie will measure approximately 8.5 inches high after blocking.

Gauge after blocking: 4” x 4” = 22 stitches x 30 rows

Abbreviations

This pattern is written in standard US terms.

CO: Cast on
PM: Place marker
P: Purl
K: Knit
K1tbl: Knit one through the back loop
MC: Main color
CC: Contrasting color

Pattern

Brim:

CO 80 stitches in the round. PM to mark the beginning of the round.

Rows 1-5: *K1tbl, P1* repeat to the end of the row.

Body:

Rows 6 & 7: Knit all stitches

Follow the colorwork chart below for the remaining rows of the body. The colorwork chart contains 10 stitches that will repeat 8 times per row. The chart is read from bottom to top, right to left. The green represents your main color (MC) and the white represents your contrasting color (CC)

Pro Tip: Keep your floats fairly loose. This will help ensure that the hat can stretch when you put it on. If your floats are too tight when switching colors, the hat will be constricted and won’t fit correctly when worn.

Decrease:

Switch to double-pointed needles as needed when the stitches become too tight on the circular needles.

Rows 1-2: Knit all stitches.

Row 3: *K2tog, knit 6* repeat to the end of the row.

All even rows 4-10: Knit all stitches.

Row 5: *K2tog, knit 5* repeat to the end of the row.

Row 7: *K2tog, knit 4* repeat to the end of the row.

Row 9: *K2tog, k3* repeat to the end of the row.

Row 11: *K2tog, k2* repeat to the end of the row.

Row 12: *K2tog, k1* repeat to the end of the row.

Row 13: *K2tog* repeat to the end of the row.

10 stitches will remain on the needle. Cut the yarn and weave the end through the remaining stitches. Pull tight to close and tie a knot to secure. Weave in any loose ends. If desired, you can sew a faux fur pom to the top as I have done in the sample photos.