Fair Isle Knit Hat Pattern

This simple fair isle hat pattern is the perfect knit to arm yourself with for winter.

Your first fair isle project should be easy, but still beautiful! This Fair Isle Knit Hat Pattern should do the trick. Using only three colors of yarn, and never more than two colors per round, you'll never find yourself confused while working through this fair isle hat. The stranded colorwork design gives it a wintry look, and the easy care of the Red Heart With Love yarn it uses means you can wear it and wash it again and again without worrying about it losing its shape.

NotesHat is worked in St st working in the round with right side facing throughout. Fair Isle pattern is worked from a chart, reading it from right to left. Pick up new yarn from under old to twist yarns and prevent holes. Carry colors not in use loosely along wrong side of work.

Easy

Knitting Needle Size8 or 5 mm, 9 or 5.5 mm, Double-Pointed Knitting Needles (DPNs)

Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

Gauge16 sts = 4" [10 cm]; 24 rows = 4" [10 cm] in Stockinette stitch and Fair Isle pattern using larger needles. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size needles to obtain the gauge.

Finished SizeHat circumference at bottom edge: 22 (24)" [56 (61) cm]

Materials List

RED HEART® With Love®: 1 skein each 1505 Peacock (A), 1308 Tan (B), and 1401 Pewter (C).
Susan Bates® Double Pointed Needles: One set each 5mm [US 8] and 5.5mm [US 9]
Stitch marker
Yarn needle

Instructions

Hat

With A and smaller needles, cast on 84 (92) sts. Divide sts evenly around double pointed needles. Join to work in rounds, taking care not to twist sts. Place marker for beginning of round.

Ribbing Round: [K1, p1] around.

Repeat Ribbing Round for 2" [5 cm].

Change to larger needles and St st and knit 4 rounds.
Begin Chart 1

Beginning with Round 1, repeat 4 sts of Chart 1 around until 14 rounds have been completed.

With A only, knit 1 round, decreasing 4 (2) sts evenly space around – 80 (90) sts.

Knit 3 more rounds.
Begin Chart 2

Beginning with Round 1, repeat Chart 2 around until 9 rounds have been completed.

Shape Crown

Decrease Round 1: [K8, k2tog] around – 72 (81) sts.
Decrease Round 2: [K7, k2tog] around – 64 (72) sts.
Decrease Round 3: [K6, k2tog] around – 56 (63) sts.
Decrease Round 4: [K5, k2tog] around – 48 (54) sts.
Decrease Round 5: [K5, k2tog] around – 40 (45) sts.
Decrease Round 6: [K4, k2tog] around – 32 (36) sts.
Decrease Round 7: [K3, k2tog] around – 24 (27) sts.
Decrease Round 8: [K2, k2tog] around – 16 (18) sts.
Decrease Round 9: [K1, k2tog] around – 8 (9) sts.
Decrease Round 10: [K2tog] around, k0 (1) – 4 (5) sts.

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through remaining sts and pull to gather. Secure end.