DIY: Snowflake Fair Isle Skullcap Beanie

1/30/2015

As much as I love cable knit, there's something about Fair Isle patterns that just make it fun to wear and a challenge to knit. Of course, I had to try out a beanie with some neutral winter-toned colors (and a MASSIVE pompom on top)!

I think the key to Fair Isle patterns is ensuring that all strands move around the hat together. In sections without switching colors, I still twist the yarn inside the hat every few stitches to ensure that the unused strand of yarn is still moving along the side of the hat with the stitches.

Materials:

Yarn:
Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Size 4 in Silver Heather
Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Size 4 in Beige
Lily Sugar 'n Cream Size 4 in Warm Brown
Red Heart Super Saver Size 4 in Soft White
Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Size 4 in Honey

Needles:
US 5 circular
US 7 circular
US 7 straight x 4

Patterns:

Let's Get Started!

Using US 5 circular needle, cast on 112 sts with silver heather yarn.
1-7 rnd: *K1. P1*
Switch to US 7 circular needle. Switch to US 7 straight needles when needed.
1-24 rnd: K following colors in pattern 1
25-26 rnd: K beige yarn
27-32 rnd: K following colors in pattern 2
33 rnd: K silver heather yarn
34 rnd: *K12, K2tog* = 104 sts
35 rnd: *K11, K2 tog* = 96 sts
36 rnd: *K10, K2 tog* = 88 sts
37 rnd: *K9, K2 tog* = 80 sts
38 rnd: *K8, K2 tog* = 72 sts
39 rnd: *K7, K2 tog* = 64 sts
40 rnd: *K6, K2 tog* = 56 sts
41 rnd: *K5, K2 tog* = 48 sts
42 rnd: *K4, K2 tog* = 40 sts
43 rnd: *K3, K2 tog* = 32 sts
44 rnd: *K2 tog* = 16 sts
45 rnd: *K2tog* = 8 sts
Thread yarn through remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure.
Add pompom formed from all colors.