The Christmas Kep has a definite festive feel about it but can also be worn throughout the winter. The colours used are those that we most associate with the festive season, warming reds and forest greens that we use to decorate our homes and Christmas trees.

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.

I designed this hat for my daughter Ciara – she likes strong patterns/colours and ribbed hats so I chose a graphic design which is a traditional Shetland pattern from Fetlar (possibly based on a Norwegian pattern), the pattern resembles an Escher style optical illusion. (Ciara is an Irish name – pronounced ‘KEER-rah’)