There has been a resurgence of love for a fisherman’s kep (check out the friendly Facebook group The Fair Isle Fisherman’s Kep Page) and it is my go-to style of hat to knit – the swinging tassel is jaunty and cheerful, while the half-lined brim keeps heads warm in stormy weather.

This design is my version of a Shetland style kep using traditional charts. It’s a collaboration with The Border Mill, they produce some of my favourite wools to knit with. Their North Coast palette captures the colours of the Highlands and the finished kep feels soft and luxurious to wear.
Kits (yarn & pattern) are available from their online shop.

The pattern is knit in the round, using a provisional cast-on and a 3 needle join to join inner and outer brims. The Fair Isle sections are knit following charts which are read from right to left. There are 5 colourways and 2 lengths (short & long). The complexity of colourways varies so it is suitable for a wide range of knitters.

Size
There is one size (to fit an adult head).
Hat circumference at brim: 51.5 cm (20.5 in) to fit head circumference 51.5 – 56.5 cm (20.5 – 22.25 in) with 0-5 cm (0-2 in) negative ease.
Long version (length from brim to crown): 31 cm (12.5 in)
Short version (length from brim to crown): 26 cm (10.5 in)

Gauge
28 stitches x 32 rnds = 10x10 cm/4x4in for the blocked Fair Isle, achieved on 3.5 mm (US4) needles. Use a needle size that achieves gauge for you. Swatch in the round.

Needles
Three, 3.5 mm (US4) x 40 cm (16 in) circular needles (or dpns) – or size to achieve gauge.
One set of 3.5 mm (US4) dpns for crown decreases.
Crochet hook for a provisional cast-on.

Yarn

The Border Mill, North Coast Tweed 4 ply (pure Shetland), 360m (394 yds) per 100g

There are 5 colourways varying in complexity, hence the variations in quantities for each.

Liathach colourway:

Long Kep
1x 25g+ 1x 10g Liathach (shade no 46)
1x25g + 1x10g Dunrobin (07)
1x10g Strathy Point (51)
2x25g Dornoch Firth (01)
1 x 25g Colour 1 (eg. Applecross (25) or Gorse (26) - your choice of shade for contrast

Short Kep
1x 25g Liathach (shade no 46)
1x25g + 1x10g Dunrobin (07)
1x10g Strathy Point (51)
2x25g Dornoch Firth (01)
1 x 25g Colour 1 (eg. Applecross (25) or Gorse (26) - your choice of shade for contrast

Loch Maree colourway:

Long Kep
1 x 10g Atlantic (13)
1 x 25g + 1x10g Loch Maree (12)
1x25g Scourie (11)
1x25g Rowanberry(21)
1x25g + 1x10g Bealach na Bá (04)
1x25g Farr Bay(02)
1x25g + 1x10g Dornoch Firth (01)

Short Kep
1 x 10g Atlantic (13)
1 x 25g Loch Maree (12)
1x10g Scourie (11)
1x10g Rowanberry(21)
1x25g + 1x10g Bealach na Bá (04)
1x25g Farr Bay(02)
1x25g + 1x10g Dornoch Firth (01)

Erica colourway:

Long Kep
1x25g Achiltibuie (29)
1x25g Beinn Eighe (45)
1x25g Erica (33)
1x25g Gloamin’ (50)
1x25g Stac Pollaidh (17)
1x25g Bealach na Bá (04)
1x25g Farr Bay (02)
1x25g + 1x10g Dornoch Firth (01)

Short Kep
1x10g Achiltibuie (29)
1x25g Beinn Eighe (45)
1x25g Erica (33)
1x25g Gloamin’ (50)
1x10g Stac Pollaidh (17)
1x25g Bealach na Bá (04)
1x25g Farr Bay (02)
1x25g Dornoch Firth (01)

Beinn Eighe colourway:

Long Kep
1x25g Erica (33:
1x25g Beinn Eighe (45)
1x25g Achiltibuie (29)
1x25g Dunnet Head (24)
1x25g Gorse (26)
1x25g Wee Dram (23)
2x25g Cockle (63)

Short Kep
1x25g Erica (33)
1x25g Beinn Eighe (45)
1x25g Achiltibuie (29)
1x25g Dunnet Head (24)
1x25g Gorse (26)
1x25g Wee Dram (23)
2x25g Cockle (63)

Poolewe colourway:

Long Kep
1x25g Achmelvich (69)
1x25g Corrieshalloch (68)
1x25g Loch Broom (67)
1x25g Poolewe (66)
1x25g Sunflower (57)
1x25g Oxlip (36)
1x10g Farr Bay (02)
2x25g Cockle (63)

Short kep
1x25g Achmelvich (69)
1x25g Corrieshalloch (68)
1x25g Loch Broom (67)
1x25g Poolewe (66)
1x25g Sunflower (57)
1x25g Oxlip (36)
1x10g Farr Bay (02)
1x25g + 1x10g Cockle (63)