Moose Fair Isle Hat - Free Knitting Pattern

I've been wanting to knit a hat featuring the traditional Scandinavian reindeer/moose motif for a long time now. And here it is! Of course - as with most of my hats and other knitted items, I try not to follow any ready patterns, I try to create something on my own. I have to say, this is the cutest Fair Isle hat I've knitted so far - and definitely my favorite!

Moose Fair Isle Hat Knitting Pattern

You'll need:

• worsted yarn in 3 colors: main color (MC, background color, approx. 90 yards), contrasting color (CC, for the borders and pom pom, approx. 25 yards) and extra color (EC, just a bit of it, for red accents and bows)
• circular needles 3.5mm and 4.5mm (40cm or long enough to use the magic loop method)
• dpn needles 3.5mm and 4.5mm (optional)
• tapestry needle

I've knitted this hat with worsted yarn Ackwool Worsted yarn by Ice Yarns. It's 30% wool, 70% acrylic. Colors used: Brown, Cream Beige and Red. The yarn is very nice to work with, super soft.

Instructions:

RIBBING
Using smaller needles and MC, cast on 88 stitches using elastic cast on method. Join carefully to work in round, making sure you don't twist stitches.


Tip #1
If you want to make the hat bigger/smaller, make sure that after the ribbing section you increase the number of stitches to a divisible by 18 (the moose's motif width)


Work K2/P2 ribbing for approx. 5-6cm.
Increase round: Work K3, m1, K2, m1, *K5, m1*  repeat from * to last 3 sts, K2, m1, K1 - 108 sts
Change to larger needles.


BODY
From now, all rounds are knit.
Knit 4 rounds in MC. Follow the chart below:

The V symbol on the chart refers only to the 1st repeat of the moose chart. It means you have to slip the 1st stitch of the round. Thanks to this small trick you will have nice jogless stripes of color.

If you want your hat to be more slouchy, you can work more rounds in MC before decreasing stitches. The longer the body, the slouchier the hat will be.

CROWN SHAPING

Next round:  *K7, ssk*  repeat ** around (96 sts); knit 1 round

*K6, ssk*  repeat ** around (84 sts); knit 1 round

*K5, ssk*  repeat ** around (72 sts); knit 1 round

*K4, ssk*  repeat ** around (60 sts); knit 1 round

*K3, ssk*  repeat ** around (48 sts); knit 1 round

*K2, ssk*  repeat ** around (36 sts); knit 1 round

*K1, ssk*  repeat ** around (24 sts);

 Work ssk around (12 sts)

 Work ssk around (6 sts)

Cut yarn leaving 15-20cm, thread through remaining stitches using tapestry needle, pull tight to close and fasten off. Weave in ends. At this point, you can slightly block the hat (just the body, without stretching the ribbing too much).

CUTE BOWS

Cut 6 pieces of EC 8-10cm long, thread each one through the moose's neck as shown on the chart, tie a knot and then a bow. Adjust the bows and cut off the extra yarn.

POMPOMs 

Make one large pompom using CC yarn, attach it to the hat and voila! You just finished a beautiful new hat.

Have you finished a hat based on this pattern? Share it with everyone on Ravelry! I'd love to see your hats!

Not to be reproduced, reprinted, sold or re-knit for sale or proft.