Fake Isle

The hat was designed to use that odd ball of Noro Kureyon. You know the one, you had to have it but didn't want a whole sweater's worth. Or you had a whole sweater's worth and there is a ball left over. This is a great way to use up that ball of yarn and practice your fair isle. The self striping Noro Kureyon makes it look more like one of the more complicated fair isles that have several background colors.

This is a great first Fair Isle Project. It's simplistic but looks way more complicated when it's done. It's like magic.

Sizes: Adult S/M and M/L
Written for the smaller size with larger size in parentheses; where there is only 1 instruction, it applies to both sizes.

Finished circumference (unstretched): 19 (21.5)" [48 (54)cm]
Materials: (MC) 1 skein Noro Kureyon (100% wool; 110 yds [100m] per 50g)
(CC) 1 skein Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted (85% wool, 15% mohair; 190 yds [173m] per 113g]

Substitutes: any worsted weight yarn will do. You will need approx. 100 yards each of 2 colors for S/M hat and approx. 120 yards each of 2 colors for M/L.

Needles and Tools: Size US 6 (4mm) circular needle, 16" [40cm] long, size US 6 (4mm) set of double pointed needles, or size to meet gauge, Tapestry needle, Stitch marker
Gauge: 20 sts and 24 rows = 4" (10cm) in stockinette

I just noticed in this photo you can see my center - I don't bother with eliminating the jog.


Pattern:
With MC and circular needle, cast on 96 (108) sts. Join in the round, markng your beginning and being careful not to twist.
Rounds 1-6: (K3, p1) around.
K 2 (4) rounds. Join CC and K 2 (3) rounds. Change back to MC, k 2 rounds. Using MC and CC work the 13 rows of Chart 1.

After completing chart 1, using MC k 2 rounds. Change to CC and k 2 (3) rounds. Change back to MC and k 2 (4) rounds. Using MC and CC work the 22 rows of chart 2. This chart includes the decreases for the top of the hat, and you will need to switch to double pointed needles when too few stitches remain to work on the circular needle.

After completing chart 2, 16 (18) sts remain. Break off MC. With CC, k 2 rounds.
Next round: K2tog around. 8 (9) sts remain.
Break yarn, leaving a 10" (25cm) tail. Thread tail through remaining sts and fasten off tightly to close top.
Finishing

Weave in ends. Block.

***************************©2006 Amy A.King and Spunky Eclectic For Non-Commercial Use only***********************
All information in this pattern is provided for your own personal use only, not for distribution by merchants or to be incorporated into other patterns. Please do not redistribute in part or whole without written permission from Amy A. King