A slightly slouchy Fair Isle patterned beanie in one of my favourite colour combinations — grellow. Deep ribbing keeps things simple and streamlined from the front, with the colourful Fair Isle a beautiful surprise when you turn your head.
The stitch patterns make a sampler of traditional peerie and “X and O” motifs that’s a fun way to try out stranded colourwork or to play with colour shading if you’re more experienced. Three shades of grey and two of yellow are used to subtly shade the patterns. Which colours are contrasted and which blended, which are background and which are pattern, changes throughout to create a lively sense of movement. The pattern is charted to focus on a pattern being worked against a background, rather than on individual colours. Work the pattern colour so that the yarn is dominant and use the blank columns at the side of the chart to plan out your own colour scheme. Don’t be afraid to rip back if the colours aren’t working but remember that a certain level of discord makes the patterns come alive.
Build your skills by following the links to our clear step-by-step tutorials.
27 sts and 32 rnds = 4" / 10cm in charted stranded colourwork pattern with larger needle.
22 sts and 42 rnds = 4" / 10cm in 2x2 rib with smaller needle.
Measure gauge after wet blocking
3 sizes - small, medium, large
Finished circumference: 17½[19½, 22½]" / 44[49, 56]cm. Finished length: 9½" / 24cm.
Shown in size medium.
Learn all of the skills you need to make Saudade with our beginner colourwork course. The Stranded Colourwork Basics course is a 4 week self-guided online knitting course, with continued access to the course so that you can return to each chapter for a refresher, again and again, whenever you need.
Fingering weight / 4ply wool yarn.
Shown in Jamieson and Smith 2ply Jumper Weight
Size 2 1/2 US / 3mm 16" / 40cm circular needle
Size 4 US / 3.5mm 16" / 40cm circular and dpns or preferred needles for working small circumferences in the rnd.