Bring On the Color with this Easy Fair Isle Knit Hat

Fair Isle Knit Hat

By Kristen Mangus

[Cue the stern “Mom” voice] “Don’t forget your hat?”

We all heard it growing up.  Let’s face it many of us are the ones saying it now!  With frigid winter temps descending on us from the north it’s more important than ever to remember your hat.  And I didn’t forget mine.  Last week I introduced you to the Fair Isle Knit Cowl to show you how easy it can be to do a simple two-color pattern.  Today I bring you the matching Fair Isle Knit Hat!  It’s the same yarn and the same technique in a plush, cozy hat designed to keep you warm no matter how far the temps fall.

Check out the entire Fair Isle collection from myself and B.Hooked Crochet featuring Patons Alpaca Blend yarn from our sponsor Yarnspirations:

Fair Isle Knit Cowl

I’ve teamed up with my sweet and talented friend Brittany from B.Hooked Crochet. She has been working on adorable mittens to match. The Fair Isle Crochet Mittens from B.Hooked Crochet ARE NOW HERE!

An ad-free downloadable PDF of this pattern is available for purchase in my GoodKnit Kisses online store, Etsy or Ravelry at the links below:

Yarn

Contrast A Patons® Alpaca Blend (3.5 oz/100 g; 155 yds/142 m) Black Cherry. 1 ball.
Contrast B Patons® Alpaca Blend (3.5 oz/100 g; 155 yds/142 m) Birch. 1 ball.

Materials

Size U.S. 11 (8 mm) circular knitting needles with a 24” cord or size needed to obtain gauge.
Stitch marker

Skill Level

Easy

Measurements

24” (61 cm) x 9” (23 cm) approx.

Gauge

14 sts and 18 rows per 4” x 4” (10 x 10 cm) in stocking st.

Skills taught in this tutorial:

Knitted cast on
Create a magic loop using a circular needle
Connect knitting in the round
K1, P1 ribbing
Fair Isle stranded colorwork (including how to catch your floats to avoid long strands)
Decreased hat crown
Drawstring Bind Off

Instructions

With A cast on 64 sts and join in the round. Place marker to indicate beginning of the round.

1st Rnd: *K1. P1. Rep from * to end of rnd.
2nd to 4th rnds: As 1st rnd.

5th rnd: Knit
6th rnd: Knit. Do not break yarn.

Attach Contrast B and proceed as follows:
7th rnd: *With B K1. With A K3. Rep from * to end of rnd. Drop B, do not break.
8th rnd: With A Knit.
9th rnd: With A K2. *With B K1. With A K3. Rep from * to end of rnd.
10th rnd: With A Knit.

These 4 rounds form Fair Isle Pat. Cont in pat until work from beg measures approx 8″ [20 cm]. Break B.

Shape top:
1st rnd: With A *K6. K2tog. Rep from * around. 56sts.
2nd and alt rnds: Knit.
3rd rnd: *K5. K2tog. Rep from * around. 48 sts.
5th rnd: *K4. K2tog. Rep from * around. 40 sts.
7th rnd: *K3. K2tog. Rep from * around. 32 sts.
9th rnd: *K2. K2tog. Rep from * around. 24 sts.
11th rnd: *K1. K2tog. Rep from * around. 16 sts.
13th rnd: *K2tog. Rep from * around. 8 sts.

Break yarn, leaving a long end. Thread end through rem sts and draw up tightly. Fasten securely.

PIN IT!

Fair Isle Knit Hat Tutorial Video

To see all the techniques used in the Fair Isle Knit Hat pattern watch the video below.

I hope you enjoyed this free pattern and tutorial!  Be sure and share your project pictures and social media and tag me with #goodknitkisses.  This post and video are sponsored by Yarnspirations.