Michèle Rose Orne has created a pair of projects that make it easy to dive into Fair Isle knitting. There are fewer than 70 short rounds of Fair Isle knitting in this hat. By the time you reach the top, you will find that the stitch pattern makes sense, the feel of two yarns in your hands is no longer a mystery, and you have just completed a very cheerful winter cap. A matching Asterisk/Dot Cowl is also included in Field Guide No. 2.

Purchase a PRINT+eBook copy of Modern Daily Knitting Field Guide No. 2 for $15.95 (plus shipping) at moderndailyknitting.com. The print book includes a download code so that you can store the ebook in your Ravelry library.

The Asterisk/Dot Hat is not sold as a single pattern.

Knitted Measurements

Circumference: 18 (20)“ [45.5 (51) cm]
Height: 11 1/2 (11 3/4)” [29 (30) cm]

Size

To fit S/M (L/XL). Hat is intended to fit with 1-2” (2.5-5 cm) negative ease.

Materials

All American Collection Sport Weight Wool by Swans Island [40 g skeins, each approx 185 yds (169 m), 100% USA rambouillet wool]: 2 skeins A and C; 1 skein B
Note: These yarn amounts will make both the Hat and the Cowl. If you would like to make a larger pom-pom for the Hat, you may need to purchase an additional skein of B.

Colorway 1
A: Dew, #AAS 235
B: Honey, #AAS 222
C: Blackberry, #AAS 210

Colorway 2
A: Evergreen, #AAS 227
B: Beach, #AAS 219
C: Dew, #AAS 235

Size 2 (2.75 mm) circular needle, 16” (40 cm) long
Size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needle, 16” (40 cm) long, or size needed to achieve gauge
Size 5 (3.75 mm) double-pointed needles, or size needed to achieve gauge
Removable stitch marker
Cardboard 2 1/2 x 5” (6.5 x 12.5 cm), for Pom-Pom [or 2 1/2” (6.5 cm) pom-pom maker]
Small amount of worsted weight wool or other sturdy yarn to match B, for Pom-Pom

Notes

You may use either the Asterisk or Dot Chart for the Fair Isle Pattern (sample Hats use Asterisk Chart; sample Cowl uses Dot Chart). If you prefer not to work with 3 colors at a time, on the rounds where B is used, you may work the stitches shown in B with A instead, then go back before finishing and work those stitches in B using duplicate stitch.