11/18/2014

Needlecrafts - Knit, Fair Isle Hats

11/18/2014
Needlecrafts - Knit, Fair Isle Hats
Inspiration images above | Pinterest
What is Fair isle Knitting you ask? Well according to a quick Google search,
"Fair Isle is a traditional knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colors. It is named after Fair Isle, a tiny island in the north of Scotland, that forms part of the Shetland islands."
The number and variety of traditional Fair Isle patterns provides a lifetime’s worth of inspiration.
Work them up in the traditional manner or play with color, arrangement, and scale to make them more contemporary or more your own.
Or start from scratch, using graph paper and colored pencils or markers to design your own motifs.

Read further for ideal free patterns for the beginner, more traditional free patterns and vintage patterns to buy and inspire you to knit in a more colorful way!
Maple leaf motif hat pattern | pattern available for purchase here
While hunting for fair isle hat patterns, these lovely bands of maple leaves instantly caught my eye, definitely very Canadian.
Even the beautiful fall colors used in this design were cottage country perfect. So, for all you fellow Canadian knitters, here's a hat that you can make as a stocking cap or shorten the amount of rows into a loose, slouchy style.

Read further for free hat patterns, ideal for introducing knitters to colorwork and more challenging patterns for those who enjoy stranding.
Helpful videos explain different methods of joining color and introductory steps to two color and three color stranding.
All Vintage patterns featured above | available for purchase here
Video Tutorials
Colorwork involves the stranding of two or more colors, creating a colorful fabric with bands or allover pattern.
Understanding how to strand these colors evenly is important, but not difficult once you see the basic steps.
There are several methods of joining different colors especially if you don't enjoy weaving in ends. The different methods shown also helps you to eliminate bulk created by weaving in ends.
Tutorial | How to - Russian and Felted Joins
Tutorial | How to - Braided Joins
Tutorial | How to - Magic Knot
Tutorial | How to - Two Color Stranding
Video Tutorial | How to - Three Color Stranding
Happy Knitting!

2 comments:

  1. I really love the Maple Leaf Stocking Hat. The link provided goes to a DROPS sweater pattern. How do I get the hat pattern?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Oops!...Here's the correct link..I've changed it on the post...
      All the best with your project,

      Daria

      Delete