Free Fair Isle Hat Knitting Pattern with Latvian Braid | Chill Out Winter Hat
Originally published December 21, 2019 · Updated July 2026 with refreshed pattern text, yarn substitutes for discontinued Chic Sheep by Marly Bird, expanded colorwork and Latvian Braid education, chart guides, video tutorial links, and a full FAQ section.
The Chill Out Winter Hat is a free Fair Isle hat knitting pattern by Marly Bird featuring a stunning two-color stranded colorwork body, a traditional Latvian Braid accent above the ribbed brim, and uninterrupted colorwork through the crown decreases. Knit in worsted weight on 16” circulars, it fits most adults and uses just two balls of yarn.
⚡ Quick Answer:
Yes! This free Fair Isle hat knitting pattern is available right here on the blog. It’s written for worsted weight yarn, worked in the round on 16” circulars, and includes a traditional Latvian Braid detail above the brim. You’ll need approximately 186 yards of each color (372 yards total). Scroll down for the full pattern, yarn substitutes for discontinued Chic Sheep, and chart guides.
Hey, bestie 💛
Some hats just have a story. This one started on a gray winter day when I needed something beautiful on my needles… something with rhythm and color and just enough challenge to keep my brain engaged.
The Chill Out Winter Hat has been that hat for me. And I have a feeling it’s going to be that hat for you too.
What makes it special? Three things. The Fair Isle colorwork body is bold and graphic without being complicated. The Latvian Braid above the brim is a traditional detail that makes this hat look so much harder than it actually is. And the crown decreases are written to keep your colorwork pattern perfectly intact all the way to the very top… no abrupt solid-color closing rounds, no jarring shift in the fabric. The hat looks intentional and finished from every angle.
I originally designed this hat using Chic Sheep by Marly Bird yarn… my own yarn line that I was so proud of. That yarn is no longer available, but this hat is better than ever. I’ve updated the pattern and put together a full substitute yarn guide so you can knit it with yarns you can actually find today.
Ready? Let’s knit. 🧶
Is This Pattern Right for You?
Skill Level & What You’ll Practice
This pattern is rated Intermediate. Here’s what that means in practice:
✅ You should be comfortable with: knitting in the round, using a 16” circular needle, working from basic written instructions, and ribbing.
🌟 You’ll get to practice: stranded (Fair Isle) colorwork, managing floats, the Latvian Braid technique, chart reading in the round, and colorwork crown decreases on double-pointed needles.
This is actually a wonderful first colorwork project. The chart repeat is regular and predictable. You’re only ever working with two colors at once. And the finished hat is something you’ll be genuinely proud to wear or gift.
If you’ve completed a few projects in the round and you’re ready to try colorwork… this is your hat.
Quick Stats
📏 Finished Circumference: 21¾” [55 cm] — fits most adults
🧶 Yarn Weight: Worsted (#4)
📐 Gauge: 18 sts = 4” [10 cm] in Fair Isle pattern
🪡 Yardage: ~186 yards each of Main Color (MC) and Contrasting Color (CC) — 372 yards total
⏱️ Time Estimate: Most knitters complete this hat in 6–10 hours of knitting time depending on colorwork experience.
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Love the Pattern? ⭐
The full Chill Out Winter Hat pattern is free right here on the blog! 🎉
If you’d prefer a clean, ad-free PDF to print or save to your device, you can grab it on Ravelry. Favoriting and queueing the pattern there also helps other knitters discover it… and it’s how you’ll find it again easily in your Ravelry library.
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📚 Want to understand the techniques in this pattern? Keep scrolling — Fair Isle colorwork, Latvian Braid, yarn substitutes, tips, and more are all below.
Why Knitters Love This Fair Isle Winter Hat
Fair Isle knitting has a way of looking magical even when the technique is surprisingly manageable. This hat hits that sweet spot perfectly.
The colorwork motif repeats in a regular, predictable rhythm… which means once you’ve worked the first repeat, the rest of the hat practically knits itself. You’re not juggling complex color changes every row. You’re just following a chart that makes sense.
Then there’s the Latvian Braid. It’s worked in just three rounds above the ribbed brim and creates this gorgeous twisted stripe that frames the colorwork body beautifully. It looks like something you’d see in a museum-quality Baltic folk piece… but it only takes about 20 minutes to work once you know the technique.
And the crown? This is the detail that separates a good colorwork hat from a great one. Most patterns switch to a solid color for the decreases so the knitter doesn’t have to think about maintaining the pattern while reducing stitches. I wrote this crown to keep the colorwork going all the way to the top. It uses a more detailed decrease chart, but the result is a hat that looks cohesive and intentional from brim to tip.
This is the kind of hat people ask you about at the coffee shop. ☕
What Is Stranded (Fair Isle) Knitting?
Stranded colorwork (also called Fair Isle knitting) is a technique where you work with two or more colors in the same round… carrying the color you’re not using loosely across the back of the fabric. Those carried strands are called floats.
The result is a fabric that looks woven and intricate from the front, but is really just a regular knit stitch worked with intentional color changes. No magic. Just method.
The Chill Out Winter Hat uses two colors throughout the colorwork body: a Main Color (MC) and a Contrasting Color (CC). Every stitch is either one or the other. You follow the chart to know which color goes where.
How to Read the Chart
The chart for this hat shows each stitch as a colored square. Because the hat is worked entirely in the round (right side always facing), you read every row of the chart from right to left.
Whatever color the square is… that’s the color you knit. It really is “knit by number.”
The chart is divided into 7 repeating sections of 14 stitches each. You’ll place markers between each section so you always know exactly where you are in the pattern.
Managing Your Floats
Floats are the strands of yarn that travel across the back of the fabric while you’re working with the other color. The #1 colorwork mistake? Pulling those floats too tight.
Tight floats = tight fabric = a hat that won’t stretch over your head. Trust me, this is not a fun discovery after 42 rounds of colorwork.
After every few stitches, spread the worked stitches out along your right needle before picking up the carried yarn. This gives the float enough length to breathe. The fabric should lie flat and relaxed when you’re done.
Knitting Two-Handed vs. One-Handed Colorwork
There are two main approaches to holding your yarn for colorwork. One-handed means you drop and pick up each color as needed… which is slower but familiar to most knitters. Two-handed means you hold one color in each hand simultaneously… which feels awkward at first but makes colorwork dramatically faster once you find the rhythm.
Want to try two-handed colorwork? I have video tutorials for both the Continental Knit Stitch and Continental Purl Stitch on my YouTube channel. The Fair Isle technique tutorial (linked in the Video Tutorials section) shows how it all comes together for colorwork.
If you want to explore other colorwork approaches first, my Mosaic Knitting for Beginners post is a great bridge. Mosaic knitting uses only one color per round, so it’s a beautiful stepping stone between plain knitting and full Fair Isle.
What Is a Latvian Braid?
A Latvian Braid is a traditional decorative element from Baltic knitting… and it is stunning.
It’s worked in two colors on a purl round, alternating which color comes “over” and “under” as you cross from stitch to stitch. The result is a raised, twisted stripe that looks woven or braided… hence the name. It frames the colorwork body like a little crown.
The braid in this hat is worked in just three rounds: one knit round to establish your alternating color positions, and then two purl rounds where you twist in opposite directions. On Round 2 you twist the yarns in one direction… on Round 3 you untwist them by going the opposite way. When you finish Round 3, the two strands are perfectly untwisted and ready to continue into the colorwork body.
Is it hard? Not at all. It looks intimidating when you read the instructions cold. But once you’re at the needles with both colors in hand, it clicks almost immediately.
Watch before you knit: Latvian Braid full written and video tutorial →
And if you love braided and twisted knitting details, don’t miss my guide to knit braids — different techniques, equally gorgeous visual impact.
The Original Yarn + What to Use Now
⚠️ Yarn Update: Chic Sheep by Marly Bird Is Discontinued
Red Heart Chic Sheep by Marly Bird is no longer in production and is not available at retail. If you have some in your stash—lucky you! But please don’t search for it at stores; it won’t be there. Use the substitute yarn table below. There are some truly beautiful options that will give you the same (or better!) results with this hat.
About Chic Sheep by Marly Bird (the Original Yarn)
Chic Sheep was a yarn I designed specifically with crafters in mind. 100% merino wool, worsted weight, beautiful hand, and colorways that made my heart sing. I was so proud of it.
This hat was originally designed using two colorways: Poolside (Main Color) and Creme de Mint (Contrasting Color). Those names are preserved in the pattern spec for historical reference… but neither colorway is available today.
The good news? There are plenty of excellent worsted-weight yarns available right now that will give you the same stunning results.
What to look for in a substitute:
- Worsted weight (CYCA #4 — not bulky, not DK, worsted is key for gauge)
- Good stitch definition — important for colorwork so the pattern pops clearly
- Non-splitty — you’ll be picking up and crossing yarn frequently
- About 186 yards per ball (you need 2 balls total)
- 100% wool or superwash wool for best results — wool grips itself and makes colorwork neater
Yarn Substitutes for the Chill Out Winter Hat
| Yarn | Fiber | Yards/Ball | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malabrigo Rios | 100% Superwash Merino | 210 yd | Closest feel to Chic Sheep — gorgeous hand-dyed colorways, beautiful stitch definition, luxurious hand | Buy → |
| KnitPicks Brava Worsted | 100% Premium Acrylic | 218 yd | Budget-friendly, excellent stitch definition, machine washable — great first colorwork hat yarn. (Note: recommended as closest match in our affiliate database to KnitPicks Swish Worsted.) | Buy at KnitPicks → |
| Cascade 220 Superwash | 100% Superwash Wool | 220 yd | Classic colorwork choice — one ball covers the yardage for each color, beautiful wide range of colors | Buy → |
| Berroco Vintage Worsted | 52% Acrylic / 40% Wool / 8% Nylon | 218 yd | Easy-care blend, great value, machine washable — excellent for gift hats | Buy → |
| Lion Brand Wool-Ease | 80% Acrylic / 20% Wool | 197 yd | Machine washable, widely available at craft stores, great budget pick — good structure for colorwork | Buy at Michaels → |
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Materials & Tools
Yarn
Original yarn: Red Heart Chic Sheep by Marly Bird™ (discontinued — see substitute table above)
Weight: Worsted (#4) | Yardage needed: ~186 yards MC + ~186 yards CC = 372 yards total
See the full substitute table above for today’s best options. My top picks: Cascade 220 Superwash for the classic colorwork experience, or Malabrigo Rios for a luxury hand-dyed option closest to the original Chic Sheep feel.
Needles
🪡 U.S. 6 [4 mm] 16” circular needle — for the ribbed brim
🪡 U.S. 8 [5 mm] 16” circular needle — for the Latvian Braid and colorwork body (this is your gauge needle)
🪡 U.S. 8 [5 mm] double-pointed needles, set of 5 — for the crown decreases when your stitch count gets too small for the circular
Important gauge note: Swatch with your larger needles in Fair Isle pattern (not just stockinette) before you begin. Colorwork gauge is affected by both your needle size and your float tension. If you’re knitting tightly, try going up a needle size.
Find all needle sizes at KnitPicks →
Notions
- Stitch markers (at least 8: 1 for beginning of round + 7 for the colorwork sections)
- Tapestry needle (for weaving in ends)
- Scissors
- Tape measure
- Stitch Saver Cord (for lifelines — highly recommended for first-time colorwork knitters)
- Ball Winder and Swift (great for yarn that comes in hanks)
- Notions bag
- Leather tags + leather rivets (optional — beautiful finishing detail on the inside brim)
- Pom Pom Maker (optional) or a faux fur pom for an easy no-make option
Don’t forget to block your finished hat! Eucalan Wool Wash is my favorite — no-rinse and lanolin-enriched, gentle on wool and wool-blend yarns.
Chill Out Winter Hat || Pattern Details
Skill Level
⭐⭐⭐ Adventurous Beginner to Intermediate
Measurements
To Fit Sizes: One size fits most adults
Finished Circumference: 21¾” [55 cm]
Gauge
18 sts = 4” [10 cm] in Fair Isle pattern.
Gauge is critical for fit. Swatch in Fair Isle pattern before beginning. If you’re getting fewer stitches per inch, go down a needle size; if you’re getting more, go up.
Materials
Yarn: Red Heart Chic Sheep by Marly Bird™ (Art. R170, 100% Merino Wool, 3½ oz / 100 g, 186 yd / 170 m, CYCA #4 worsted)
1 ball: Poolside (MC)
1 ball: Creme de Mint (CC)
⚠️ Note: Chic Sheep by Marly Bird is discontinued. See the Yarn Substitute Table above for today’s best alternatives. The original colorway names above are preserved for historical reference only.
Needles:
- U.S. 6 [4 mm] 16” [40.5 cm] circular needle
- U.S. 8 [5 mm] 16” [40.5 cm] circular needle + set of 5 double-pointed needles, or size required for gauge
Note: Be sure to obtain gauge with the larger needles; smaller needles should be two sizes smaller than the large ones.
Find your needles at KnitPicks →
- Stitch markers (at least 8: 1 beginning-of-round + 7 section markers)
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Tape measure
- Stitch saver cord (lifelines — highly recommended for first-time colorwork knitters)
- Notions bag from Erin.Lane Bags
- Leather tags + leather rivets (optional)
- Ball winder and swift
- Pom pom maker (optional) or faux fur pom
Abbreviations
- CC – Contrasting Color
- K – Knit
- K2tog – Knit Two Together
- MC – Main Color
- P – Purl
- Slm – Slip Marker
- Ssk – Slip, Slip, Knit (see Special Stitches)
- St(s) – Stitch(es)
Special Stitches
⭐ Slip, Slip, Knit (Ssk): Slip 2 stitches, one at a time, as if to knit. Insert left needle into the front of these 2 stitches and knit them together from this position — 1 stitch decreased.
⭐ Flat Slip, Slip, Knit (Flat Ssk): [Alternate ssk method that lies flatter and looks more similar to a reversed k2tog.]
Insert needle in front leg of next st but do not knit it; insert needle in back leg of second st on left needle; yarn over and knit both sts together (1 st decreased).
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I'm thrilled to share this amazing pattern with you, many patterns on my blog are absolutely free! I kindly request that you don't copy and paste or distribute this pattern. Prefer an ad-free experience? Buy a digital PDF pattern for a small fee from one of my online stores for a seamless crafting journey.
I appreciate your support and readership. You are the reason I can keep doing what I love and sharing it with others. So, thank you from the bottom of my yarn-loving heart! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links at no cost to you.
Charts
This pattern uses two charts: the Hat Body Fair Isle chart (for the colorwork body rounds) and the Crown Decreasing chart (for the top of the hat).
Hat Body Fair Isle chart
Crown Decreasing chart
Notes
- Hat is worked from brim to crown in two colors that interact through Fair Isle colorwork and a decorative Latvian braid.
- For rounds that use two colors, each stitch notation is followed by the color to be used (e.g., “K1 MC” means knit 1 with Main Color).
- When working in Fair Isle colorwork, keep the yarn floats on the inside of the hat with some give, or the fabric will become too tight and the hat will not fit. Spread the fabric out on the right needle after every few worked stitches.
Video Tutorials
These video tutorials walk you through every technique in this pattern. All links open in a new tab:
GROW
To Unlock Exclusive Subscriber Content click the Box below and join for free by simply adding your email and creating a password! If you are having troubles, clear your cache or reset your password or login to the Grow Publisher Portal.
>> Learn More About Grow Here <<
I'm thrilled to share this amazing pattern with you, many patterns on my blog are absolutely free! I kindly request that you don't copy and paste or distribute this pattern. Prefer an ad-free experience? Buy a digital PDF pattern for a small fee from one of my online stores for a seamless crafting journey.
I appreciate your support and readership. You are the reason I can keep doing what I love and sharing it with others. So, thank you from the bottom of my yarn-loving heart! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links at no cost to you.
Chill Out Winter Hat || Pattern Instructions
Brim
Using smaller needle, MC and Long Tail Cast-On (see Video Tutorials), cast on 98 sts.
Join round being careful to not twist cast-on edge, and mark first st.
Round 1: Knit.
Round 2: * K1, P1; repeat from * around.
Repeat Round 2 only 5 more times more.
Count: 7 total rounds worked.
Latvian Braid
Round 1: * K1 MC, k1 CC; repeat from * around.
This round forms the base of your braid. It isn’t visible at the bottom of the braid, but it is the horizontal line of stitches you see in between each round of twists you’re about to create. Traditionally, you work the same color for each st on Round 2 as on Round 1, (MC over MC, CC over CC, etc).
Bring both yarns to the front of the work.
Note: Do not take the time here to untwist the yarns on the following round. They will become untwisted on Round 3 when you switch the direction of twist.
Round 2: * P1 MC, bring CC under MC (twisting yarns), p1 CC, bring MC under CC (twisting yarns); repeat from * around.
Round 3: * P1 MC, bring CC over MC (untwisting yarns), p1 CC, bring CC over MC (untwisting yarns); repeat from * around.
If done correctly, once you have completed Round 3, your two yarns will become totally untwisted, ready to work in whatever patterning is called for on subsequent rounds.
Body
Follow Hat Body Fair Isle chart above
Knit 1 round with MC only.
Place 6 more markers on the needle, 14 sts apart each, creating 7 total sections of 14 sts. Be sure to use markers of a different color or design from the beginning-of-round marker.
Work 42 rounds in Fair Isle colorwork (see Video Tutorials) following color chart for Hat Body. Read every row in the chart from right to left, since Hat is made entirely in round with the right side always facing.
Crown
Note: Switch to double pointed needles when the work becomes too tight to fit around circular needles.
Follow Crown decreasing chart above
Round 1: * K1 MC, k1 CC, slm; repeat from * around.
Round 2: * K2tog CC, [k1 MC, k1 CC] 5 times, ssk MC, slm; repeat from * 6 more times.
Count: 84 sts (-14 sts decreased).
Round 3: * K1 MC, k1 CC, slm; repeat from * around.
Round 4: * K2tog MC, [k1 CC, k1 MC] 4 times, ssk CC, slm; repeat from * 6 more times.
Count: 70 sts (-14 sts decreased).
Round 5: * K1 CC, k1 MC, slm; repeat from * around.
Round 6: * K2tog CC, [k1 MC, k1 CC] 3 times, ssk MC, slm; repeat from * 6 more times.
Count: 56 sts (-14 sts decreased).
Round 7: * K1 MC, k1 CC, slm; repeat from * around.
Round 8: * K2tog MC, [k1 CC, k1 MC] 2 times, ssk CC, slm; repeat from * 6 more times.
Count: 42 sts (-14 sts decreased).
Round 9: * K1 CC, k1 MC, slm; repeat from * around.
Round 10: * K2tog CC, k1 MC, k1 CC, ssk MC, slm; repeat from * 6 more times.
Count: 28 sts (-14 sts decreased).
Round 11: * K1 MC, k1 CC, slm; repeat from * around.
Round 12: * K2tog MC, ssk CC, slm; repeat from * 6 more times.
Count: 14 sts (-14 sts decreased).
Round 13: * K1 CC, k1 MC, slm; repeat from * around.
Remove all markers.
Cut both CC and MC, leaving a 10” [25.5 cm] tail. Use yarn needle to thread one of the tails through each remaining st knitwise. Pull tail tight to close top. Weave tail in on wrong side of Hat to secure.
Finishing
Weave in all loose ends.
Attach leather tag with leather rivets (optional).
Sew on faux fur pom-pom, or create a pom-pom with pom-pom maker and sew to top (optional).
Tips for Knitting This Colorwork Hat Successfully
Choose Colors with Strong Contrast
The Fair Isle pattern only reads visually if your two colors are distinct from each other. Value contrast (light vs. dark) matters more than hue contrast (blue vs. orange). You can actually use two shades of the same color family as long as one reads light and one reads dark.
Quick test: take a photo of your two yarn balls and switch it to grayscale on your phone. If the colors are still clearly distinct… you’ve got a winner. If they blend together, swap one out.
Keep Your Floats Loose
This is the single most important colorwork tip I give every knitter new to Fair Isle. After every 3–4 stitches, spread the worked stitches out along your right needle before carrying the unused yarn across the back.
The float needs to span those stitches without pulling. If your finished hat won’t stretch enough to fit over your head… tight floats are almost certainly the cause.
Use Stitch Markers
This hat has 7 repeating sections of 14 stitches each. Placing a stitch marker between each repeat is genuinely life-changing for your colorwork sanity.
If you lose your place in the chart, you count back to the nearest marker and pick up exactly where you are… instead of tinking (unknitting) back to the beginning of the round. Markers are your built-in safety net.
Add a Lifeline (Especially for First-Time Colorwork Knitters)
A lifeline is a strand of smooth, contrasting thread or yarn threaded through a complete round of live stitches. If you need to rip back, you rip only to the lifeline… and all your stitches are safely caught, in order, ready to go back on the needle.
For this hat, I recommend placing a lifeline at the end of the brim (before the Latvian Braid) and at the end of the colorwork body (before the crown decreases). Those are the two points where mistakes most often surface.
Want to Go Deeper on Colorwork?
🌈 CampColorwork — Learn Everything About Colorwork Knitting
My best friend Robyn Chachula and I built CampColorwork.com as a dedicated colorwork education resource. If you love this hat and want to go deeper into stranded knitting, mosaic knitting, intarsia, and more… CampColorwork is your next destination. Built by Marly Bird and Robyn Chachula for knitters who are serious about their craft. 🎨
If you want to explore a related colorwork technique before going full Fair Isle, my Mosaic Knitting for Beginners post is a perfect starting point. Mosaic knitting uses only one color per round, making it easier to manage while still producing stunning colorwork results.
More Free Fair Isle Patterns to Knit Next
Loved this hat? Here are more colorwork knitting patterns to add to your queue:
🧢 Kaleidoscope Harmony Knit Hat — A vibrant multi-color knit hat with a stunning circular colorwork crown. One of my all-time favorites from the hat collection.
🧢 Harmony Hues Knit Hat — A gorgeous stash-busting colorwork hat that uses scraps and small amounts of yarn to create a beautiful gradient effect. Perfect for your colorwork leftovers!
🧶 Free Knit Fair Isle Accessory Patterns — My full roundup of free Fair Isle accessory patterns: hats, mittens, and more. Bookmark this one for a rainy day queue-building session!
Frequently Asked Questions About This Fair Isle Hat
Is this pattern suitable for beginners?
This pattern is rated Intermediate, and it’s best suited for knitters who have completed at least a few projects in the round and are ready to try colorwork. If you’ve never done stranded knitting before… this is actually a wonderful first project. The chart repeat is regular and predictable, you’re only ever working with two colors at once, and the finished hat is something you’ll be genuinely proud to wear or gift.
Can I knit this hat on magic loop instead of 16” circular needles?
Yes! If you prefer magic loop over short circulars, any length circular needle with a long cable works perfectly. Just be sure to switch to DPNs (or continue on magic loop) when the crown decreases make the stitch count too small for your needle length. Magic loop works beautifully for colorwork hats.
How many yards of yarn do I need?
You’ll need approximately 186 yards of each color, for a total of about 372 yards across both colors. Plan for a little extra if you tend to knit tightly or want to use your yarn for a pom-pom on top.
Can I use a different weight yarn?
The pattern is written for worsted weight with a gauge of 18 sts = 4” in Fair Isle pattern. You could substitute a heavy DK or light aran and adjust your needle size, but you’d need to swatch carefully because the finished measurements will change. A significantly different weight also changes your total yardage requirement.
What can I use instead of Chic Sheep yarn?
See the full substitute yarn table above! My top recommendations are Cascade 220 Superwash for a classic colorwork experience, or Malabrigo Rios for a luxury hand-dyed feel closest to the original Chic Sheep. Any worsted-weight 100% wool or superwash wool with good stitch definition will work beautifully.
Can I adjust the pattern for a larger head size?
Yes! The stitch multiple is 14 stitches with 7 repeats across the hat. To size up, add one full repeat and cast on 112 stitches instead of 98. This adds approximately 3” to the finished circumference. You’ll need some additional yarn for the extra stitches, so plan for more than the base yardage requirement.
Do I need to read a chart to knit this hat?
The colorwork body uses a chart… but chart reading is much easier than it looks! Each stitch is represented by a colored square. Whatever color the square is, that’s the color you knit. Read each row from right to left, since you’re always working on the right side in the round. The crown section also includes written-out color instructions. New to charts? The How to Use Stitch Fiddle tutorial will help you get comfortable fast.
What is a Latvian braid and is it hard to do?
A Latvian braid is a traditional decorative element from Baltic knitting traditions. It’s worked in two colors on purl rounds and creates a gorgeous raised, twisted stripe above the ribbed brim. The braid takes just three rounds to complete, and while the instructions look complex at first… it clicks very quickly once you’re at the needles with both colors in hand. I have a full dedicated tutorial with video at marlybird.com/blog/latvian-braid/.
Final Thoughts
The Chill Out Winter Hat has been in my knitting world for years now… and it still makes me happy every time I see someone knitting it, wearing it, or sharing their finished version online. There’s something about a Fair Isle hat with a Latvian Braid that just feels like a genuine craft achievement.
I hope this updated post makes it easier than ever to find great yarn, learn the techniques, and get your needles moving. Whether this is your very first colorwork project or your hundredth… I’m rooting for you from start to final pom-pom.
When you’re done, come find me! Tag me @marlybird on Instagram or Facebook and use #MMMDI (Marly Made Me Do It), #MarlyBird, or #ChillOutWinterHat so I can see those beautiful color combinations. 💛 You can also join the project gallery on Ravelry — they never stop inspiring me.
Happy knitting! 🧶❤️
❤️ Your BiCrafty Bestie,
Marly Bird
