​Fair Isle Crochet Hat

Yarn – Lion Brand Wool-Ease – 10ply/Aran/Worsted/Medium (4), 180m/85g, 80% Acrylic + 20% Wool, Rose Heather (138) + Dark Rose Heather (139)

Colour A (Rose Heather) – 1 skein (all sizes)

Colour B (Dark Rose Heather) – 1 skein (all sizes)

6mm (US J) Crochet Hook

Darning Needle

Scissors

Stitch Marker

Toddler – Hat circumference: 43cm/17” Hat height: 18cm/7”

Child – Hat circumference: 48cm/19” Hat height: 20cm/8”

Adult – Hat circumference: 54cm/21” Hat height: 22cm/8.75”

Ch = Chain

Sl st = Slip Stitch

SC = Single Crochet

SC2tog = Single Crochet 2 Stitches Together

FI = Fair Isle Stitch

FI2tog = Fair Isle Stitch 2 Stitches Together

BL = Back Loop

St(s) = Stitch(es)

Rep = Repeat

Fair Isle Stitch – Insert hook in between the 2 lines of the ‘V’ of the next stitch (the hook must go underneath both loops and the horizontal bar at the back of the stitch/in between the ‘ ⊼ ’ shape at the back of the stitch). Yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook.

Fair Isle 2 Together – Insert hook in between the 2 lines of the ‘V’ of the next stitch (the hook must go underneath both loops and the horizontal bar at the back of the stitch/inside the triangle of the ‘ ⊼ ’ shape at the back of the stitch). Yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). Insert hook in between the ‘V’ of the next stitch. Yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on your hook). Yarn over, pull through 3 loops on hook.

Each box in the chart represents 1 stitch.

The Colour Chart follows a 10-stitch repeat.

The last 9(7, 5) sts of the round are shown in the chart and are a repeat of stitch 1-9(1-7, 1-5).

Make sure to keep an eye on your stitch marker so you know when to begin a new round.

Your ‘dominant’ colour is the yarn colour you are holding in your hand while the ‘contrasting’ colour is the one that is carried along the project.

From ROUNDS 1 – 9, Colour A is the ‘dominant’ colour. From ROUNDS 10 – 14 Colour B is the ‘dominant’ colour. The swap at ROUND 10 ensures that the ‘secondary’ colour is less likely to ‘peek out’ from behind the stitches.

When crocheting fair isle, I recommend carrying the ‘secondary’ yarn behind your stitches. This means you crochet over the secondary yarn and you won’t have any loops hanging on the inside of your garment. Often the second colour of yarn can ‘peek’ through the stitches and the colour changes aren’t as crisp or clear. However, I find that this can be avoided if you ‘tuck’ the secondary yarn behind the stitch you’re crocheting into, rather than letting it sit in the middle of the stitch (which makes it more visible). This also makes crocheting into the stitches easier as when inserting your hook into the ‘v’.

(I recommend checking out the video tutorial if you have any doubts!)

FOUNDATION CHAIN: With Colour A, Ch 6(6, 7).

ROW 1: SC in 2nd ch from hook, SC in each chain until end, turn.

<5(5, 6)>

ROW 2: Ch 1, BL SC 4(4, 5), SC in last st, turn.

Repeat ROW 2 until ROW 59(67, 75).

*Ribbing Band should measure 43(48, 53)cm / 17(19, 21)”

Fold ribbing band in half, lengthways (right side is on the inside). Join the two ends of the ribbing together with a slip stitch – sl st 5(5, 6). You will now have a ring. Turn ribbing band inside out so the right side is facing you (sl sts will be visible on the wrong side). Do not fasten off.

We’ll now crochet the body of the Beanie across the edge of the band. The beanie is worked in a continuous spiral so there is no visible seam. Follow the Colour Chart for the appropriate stitch pattern for your size.

ROUND 1: Ch 1, place a SC in each row of the band.

<59(67, 75)>

ROUND 2: With Colour A as the ‘dominant’ colour, FI in 1st st of ROUND 1, to mark the beginning of the round place stitch marker in 1st st of ROUND 1. FI in each st of the round, following the chart for colour changes.

ROUNDS 3 – 9: FI in each st in the round, following the chart for the colour changes.

ROUND 10 – 14: With Colour B as the ‘dominant’ colour, FI in each st of the round, following the chart for colour changes.

ROUND 15: With Colour B, FI 10 while carrying Colour A behind the stitches to secure the yarn. Cut yarn of Colour A and place yarn aside. With Colour B, FI in each st until the end of the round.

<59(67, 75)>

ROUND 16: With Colour B, FI in each st in the round.

Repeat ROUND 16 until ROUND 25(28, 30).

<59(67, 75)>

*You can add rounds to make you beanie slouchier or remove rounds to make your beanie more fitted.

DECREASE ROUND 1: *FI, FI2tog; rep from * around.

Toddler: You will have 2 sts left over, FI2tog in last 2 sts.

Child: You will have 1 st left over, FI in last st.

<39(45, 50)>

DECREASE ROUND 2: SC2tog 19(22, 25)until end. If you have 1 st left over, SC in last st. Sl st into next 3 sts. Fasten off and leave a 30cm/12” long tail of yarn.

<20(23, 25)>

Whip stitch around top opening of the beanie (approx. 1 stitch of each SC2tog).

Pull tight on the tail of yarn and sew the hole closed. Sew a pom pom to the top of the beanie.

*I used a 9cm/3.5” pom pom maker. You can use any size/type of pom pom you prefer.

Weave in all of your ends.