This fair isle hat was inspired by the native plant of the Alps Carlina acaulis or the Silver Thistle (Silber Distel in German). This plant is found on the higher alpine meadows here in the Allgäu in the northern Alps where I live.

I was inspired by the colors of fall in the higher Alpine meadows where I like to run. The grasses are a dusty ochre color after the leaves fall and the shadows in the mountains are always many shades of blue on the new snow of the highest peaks. And I used my favorite knitting techniques, traditional Latvian patterns and braids on the cuff and...

Die Deutsche Übersetzung ist fertig- ganz herzlichen Dank an krayzee!

This hat is an easy knit except for the Latvian braid which is a little challenging. I have provided an easier border as an alternative though. The simple slip stitch pattern lets you knit in multiple colors but you only have to manage one at a time!

The slipstitch pattern combined with blues and browns remind me of the mountain peaks and alpine lakes where I live…thus the pattern name.