Chill Out Winter Hat || Fair Isle Hat with Latvian Braid
What is more fun to make than a fair isle hat with traditional snowflake motifs and an awesome Latvian Braid detail above the brim? I don’t know either, but the good news is that we don’t have to find out because the Chill Out Winter Hat is free knitting hat pattern with a fair isle hat with Latvian braid 🙂
And if you love hats like this one you will adore the Kaleidoscope Harmony Hat, Harmony Hues Hat, or the Confetti Blips Hat.
This hat was made to fight the winter blues that happen to so many of us. While knitting it I found pleasure in doing the Latvian Braid for the first time and then working two-handed fair isle for the body of the hat in two colors that absolutely love. But the part that really made my heart sing is the crown. The decreases on the crown are done in such a way that the colorwork pattern is uninterrupted which I find very satisfying. Overall, making this hat kicked the blues away and I was much more chilled out when I was finished. Hence the name, Chill Out Winter Hat.
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Queue it up and Like the Pattern on Ravelry
You need a quickie? Do you have a big stash? Then I have the perfect project for you. Finish this quick knit fair isle hat with 2 balls of worsted weight yarn from your stash! The Chill Out Winter Hat will satisfy process and project knitters alike.
New to Stranded Knitting?
If you are new to stranded knitting, welcome! You are going to LOVE IT! Just take your time and be patient with yourself as you knit with two colors on every round. It is basically a “knit by number,” if you will.
As you look at the chart, each square represents one stitch, and whatever the color of the square is, that is the color you knit for that stitch. You can do this!
Understanding Stranded Knitting Techniques
What is Stranded Knitting?
Stranded knitting, also known as colorwork, involves knitting with two or more colors in a single row or round. This technique allows you to create beautiful patterns and designs, making your projects truly unique. Fair Isle knitting is a popular type of stranded knitting that originates from the Shetland Islands, known for its intricate patterns and vibrant colors.
What is a Fair Isle Hat with Latvian Braid?
A fair isle hat showcases stunning color patterns achieved through stranded knitting. The Latvian braid is an elegant edging technique that adds a beautiful touch to your hat, making it stand out. This braid not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also provides a neat finish, ensuring that your hat is as lovely on the inside as it is on the outside.
Tips for Successful Colorwork
- Choose Your Colors Wisely: When selecting yarn, consider contrasting colors for the best visual impact. Using two colors that are distinct from one another will help your pattern pop!
- Practice Tension: Maintaining consistent tension is key in stranded knitting. Keep your floats (the yarn strands carried behind the work) loose enough to avoid puckering, but not so loose that they sag.
- Use Stitch Markers: Mark the beginning of each round to help keep your place and ensure that you stay on track with the color pattern.
Interested in Learning More About Colorwork?
If you are interested in diving deeper into stranded knitting, magical mosaic knitting, and more, you should check out CampColorwork.com! This online class by Marly Bird and Robyn Chachula teaches all about colorwork in knitting AND crochet, providing you with the skills and techniques to elevate your projects.
Okay, grab your needles and yarn and get started on this Chill Out Winter Hat || Fair Isle Hat with Latvian Braid
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Chill Out Knit Fair Isle Winter Hat Pattern Details
MEASUREMENTS
Finished Measurements
Adult: 21.7” circumference around
Gauge: 18 sts = 4” in stockinette stitch and larger needles
MATERIALS
Yarn: Red Heart Chic Sheep by Marly Bird™ [Art. R170 100% Merino Wool available 3.5 oz (100 g),186 yd (170 m) balls] Poolside (MC) 1 ball, Creme de Mint (CC) 1 ball.
This fair isle hat pattern was made with Chic Sheep yarn but sadly, that has been discontinued. However, we do recommend these yarns as substitutes (and they are easy to get online!)
Needles: size 6 (4 mm) 16” circular needles, size 8 (5 mm) 16” circular needles and set of 5 dpn’s.
Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, leather tags, leather rivets
ABBREVIATIONS
K — Knit
P — Purl
PM — place marker
MC — main color
CC — contrasting color
NOTES
If you want to be sure you have a safety net as you knit, adding a lifeline to your project every so often will be helpful. Just to make sure you have a point to rip back to if something goes wrong. (video help)
When working with two colors on the same row use the Fair Isle technique of changing colors.
Careful when working the stranded knitting, keep the floats with some give or the hat will not fit.
VIDEO
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Chill Out Winter Hat || Fair Isle Hat with Latvian Braid
PATTERN
Brim
Using smaller needle, MC and Long Tail Cast-On, cast-on 98 sts, join to work in the round, place marker.
Round 1: Knit
Round 2: *K1, P1; repeat from * around.
Repeat round 2 five times more. (7 rounds total)
Latvian Braid
Round 1: *K1 MC, K1 CC; rep from * around.
This round forms the “base” of your braid. It isn’t visible from 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 on Round 1 as is worked on Round 2, (MC over MC, CC over CC, etc). Bring both yarns to the front of the work.
Round 2: *P1 MC. Bring CC under MC (twisting yarns), P1 CC. Bring MC under CC (twisting yarns); repeat from * around.
Reminder: Do not take the time here to untwist the yarns. They will become untwisted on Rnd 3 when you switch the direction of twist.
Round 3: *P1 MC, bring CC over MC (twisting yarns), P1 CC, bring CC over MC (twisting yarns); rep from * around.
If done correctly, once you have worked every stitch in the round, your two yarns will become totally untwisted, ready to work in whatever patterning is called for on subsequent rounds.
Body
Stitch pattern multiple is 14 sts. There are 7 repeats in this pattern.
With MC and larger needles
Round 1: Knit
Rounds 2 – 41: Follow the chart (below) starting at the bottom and reading from right to left for each round.
Round 42: *K1 CC, K1 MC; repeat from * around.
Crown
Switch to double pointed needles when yarn becomes too tight around circular needles.
Round 1: *K2tog CC, (K1 MC, K1 CC) 5 times, SSK MC; repeat from *6 times more — 14 sts decreased.
Round 2: *K1 MC, K1 CC; repeat from * around.
Round 3: *K2tog MC, (K1 CC, K1 MC) 4 times, SSK CC; repeat from *6 times more — 14 sts decreased.
Round 4: *K1 CC, K1 MC; repeat from * around.
Round 5: *K2tog CC, (K1 MC, K1 CC) 3 times, SSK MC; repeat from *6 times more — 14 sts decreased.
Round 6: *K1 MC, K1, CC; repeat from * around.
Round 7: *K2tog MC, (K1 CC, K1 MC) 2 times, SSK CC; repeat from *6 times more — 14 sts decreased.
Round 8: *K1 CC, K1 MC; repeat from * around.
Round 9: *K2tog CC, K1 MC, K1 CC, SSK MC; repeat from *6 times more — 14 sts decreased.
Round 10: *K1 MC, K1, CC; repeat from * around.
Round 11: *K2tog MC, SSK CC; repeat from *6 times more — 14 sts decreased.
Round 12: *K1 CC, K1, MC; repeat from * around.
Finishing
Cut CC and MC leaving 10” (25.4 cm). Use yarn needle to thread tail through each remaining st knitwise. Pull tail tight to close top. Weave tail in on the wrong side of hat to secure.
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With the Chill Out Knit Hat, you’re not just making a cozy accessory; you’re exploring the fascinating world of stranded knitting. The combination of fair isle techniques and the Latvian braid will give you a beautiful hat that you’ll be proud to wear or gift. So gather your yarn, and let’s get started!
