Fair Isle Knit Hat Free Pattern
Looking for a Fair Isle knit hat pattern? Love knitted hats? How about knitting a Fair Isle knit hat with cozy ski chalet style? I love to add interest to my accessories, especially during fall and winter. Colorwork knitted hats add both warmth & interest!
Below is a FREE knit hat pattern for you with a Fair Isle stitch pattern that is not too difficult. Choose your favorite color combination for the “Swiss Alps” pattern.
Keep reading to learn how to knit a hat using a Fair Isle stitch pattern. Use your favorite yarn colors for the color stranding, then add a pom pom for even more cozy appeal. Add this to your list of favorite yarn projects this season.
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Knitting Hat Pattern Free
The idea behind this knit hat pattern is to work in the round from bottom to top. The Right Side showcases the Fair Isle pattern using color stranding. You will use BASIC KNIT STITCHES for the knit hat pattern, as well as decrease stitches. Intermediate skills are needed, due to the decrease sts and color stranding.
The following is a list of supplies required to create one knit hat. Use similar yarn (size 6, Super Bulky weight yarn) and the same knitting needle size to make your own.
Supplies
- 2 skeins of Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick (106 yds per skein)
- size 13 (9mm) needles, circular, (16-19″ length)
- optional pom pom
Circular Knitting Needles (various sizes)
Wool Ease Thick & Quick Yarn
Faux Fur Pom Poms for Hats
Knitting Notions
Knitting Abbreviations
approx – approximately
BO – bind off
CO – cast on
K – knit
K2tog – knit 2 stitches together
sm – stitch marker
sts – stitches
Rep – repeat
RS – Right Side
WS – Wrong Side
Special Notes about Stranding for Fair Isle Pattern
This pattern requires you to use more than one yarn (MC and CC), which is also known as yarn stranding.
You will want your main color (MC) to serve as the background color for this Fair Isle pattern, and the contrasting color (CC) serves as the dominant color. The dominant color should ‘pop’ out a bit from the background color.
I have provided a written pattern below for the Fair Isle motif.
The ‘strand’ refers to the way each yarn will stretch across (strand or float) the wrong side (WS) of your project when not being used.
To achieve this color dominance during your knitting, just remember to keep the dominant color (CC) stranded below the background color (MC) on the WS and vice versa – keep the background color (MC) stranded above the dominant color (CC).
PATTERN INFORMATION
The FREE hat pattern is provided below, but you can also get the ad-free, printable pdf pattern for the Swiss Alps hat in the pattern shop! The pdf has a helpful chart included:
(The pattern is also available in the ETSY SHOP)
How to Knit a Fair Isle Hat
Here I will walk you through each step of this cozy hat, using your favorite Super Bulky Weight Yarn colors.
Finished Measurements:
- Measurements are for finished hat with brim rolled
Height : 9 inches
Circumference : 20 inches
Gauge: 4″ (10cm) square = approx 9 sts by 12 rounds
FREE Knitting Hat Pattern
NOTES –
You will be knitting the hat from the bottom to the top in rounds, decreasing stitches near the crown.
Follow the instructions below in the order indicated.
Hat Pattern
With size 13 (9 mm) circular needles, CO 48 sts with size 6 yarn.
Join to work in the round:
Place a stitch marker (sm) after the last stitch you casted on. This will help you to count each round going forward.
In each subsequent round, simply slide the sm to the other needle.
At this point, your ‘right-hand’ needle holds the last st casted on, while the ‘left-hand’ needle holds the first st casted on.
Next, being careful that the stitches on your circular needle are not twisted, join the last st casted on with the first st in round by knitting the first st.
This is the first stitch in Round 1 (see below).
Bottom Brim in Ribbing
Rounds 1-12: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end of round. (48 sts)
(until brim measures approximately 4”)
Sides of Hat
Fair Isle Motif Pattern:
The next 13 rounds are worked in a motif pattern using both colored yarns.
The written instructions are as follows (find the chart in the PDF PATTERN FILE):
Rounds 1-2: WithMC, knit to end of round.
Round 3: *K2 with MC, k1 with CC, K3 with MC; Rep from * to end of round.
Round 4: *K1 with MC, k1 with CC, k1 with MC, k1 with CC, k2 with MC; Rep from * to end of round.
Round 5: Rep Round 3.
Round 6: With MC, knit to end of round.
Round 7: *K5 with MC, k1 with CC; Rep from * to end of round.
Round 8: *K1 with CC, k3 with MC, k1 with CC, k1 with MC; Rep from * to end of round.
Round 9: Rep Round 7.
Round 10: With MC, knit to end of round.
Round 11: *K1 with MC, k1 with CC; Rep from * to end of round.
Round 12: *K1 with CC, k1 with MC; Rep from * to end of round.
Cut CC yarn – it won’t be needed for several rounds.
Round 13: With MC, knit to end of round.
Crown of Hat
Next you will be working alternate decrease rounds to form the smaller crown of the hat using mostly the main color yarn, with one round that has pops of contrasting color yarn.
(note – it’s best to use the Magic Loop method when knitting the last few Rounds)
With MC,
Round 1: *K4, k2tog; rep from * to end of round. (40 sts)
Round 2: Knit to end of round.
Round 3: *K3, k2tog; rep from * to end of round. (32 sts)
Round 4: Knit to end of round.
Round 5: *K2, k2tog; rep from * to end of round. (24 sts)
Join CC yarn.
Round 6: *K1 with CC, k3 with MC; Rep from * to end of round.
Cut CC yarn.
Round 7: With MC, *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end of round. (16 sts)
Round 8: Knit to end of round.
Round 9: *K2tog; rep from * to end of round. (8 sts)
Round 10: Knit to end of round.
Remove sm.
Finishing
Cut approx. 6-8″ tail from working yarn.
Using a tapestry needle (yarn needle), thread the tail securely through the remaining 8 stitches on the circular needles.
Pull tail to close up the top of the hat.
Secure the tail to the top of the hat, or use it to attach a pom-pom.
Weave in ends on the WS (inside) of the hat.
Ensure the join at bottom of hat is secured neatly.
Important Tips for Knitting your hat
Some things to keep in mind as you work the Fair Isle hat knit pattern are:
- Use a stitch marker to keep track of each round.
- When working in the round, RS is always facing.
- Customize:
- Feel free to add 1 or 2 rounds to the sides of your hat to increase the height. Just be sure to have enough yarn.
Alpine Knit Hat
The soft hand knit hat makes a beautiful acessory in the colder months, and fits right in with a cozy, ski chalet aesthetic. The Fair Isle stitch design of the hat is timeless, and with the contrasting colors – you’re bound to get compliments from making this beautiful knit pattern!
Don’t forget that this knitting hat pattern is also available in an ad-free digital pdf pattern. The pdf has a helpful chart. Grab the HAT KNIT PATTERN pattern in my shop.
Love hat knit patterns? Check out these other FREE knit projects…
Did you enjoy this free knitting pattern? I think it’s also a perfect idea to make as a holiday gift for a friend who loves handmade winter acessories. The cozy yarn hat works up quickly and will become one of your favorite small knitting projects.
Check out all of my FREE KNIT PATTERNS HERE.
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