Is It Really Fair (Isle)?

A Fair Isle hat that stands tradition on end. . Fair Isle is very “set” in its motifs and composition but knitters today like to push the envelope and add a signature touch while still honoring tradition. This hat uses X O motifs but changes them up by standing them on end. Rather than horizontal bands, the bands become vertical, but the color changes stay horizontal. It makes for a new way of looking at Fair Isle. Even the Skull & Crossbones motif looks “traditional” - but it’s not!The motifs are riffs on tradition, but designed by me.

Knit in the round, it starts with 3 rounds of corrugated rib. The 6 vertical bands are separated with a single column of alternating knits and purls. It is slouchy, about 10.5 inches tall with 2 long tassels on top. Skull cap has a finished height of about 8 inches.

Instructions are for slouch style with modifications in italic for a skull cap. Photos above show (clockwise from left): Adult Fair Isle slouch, Adult Fair Isle slouch,