Fair Isle Crochet Hat Free Pattern
What's cozier on a chilly day than a warm, cherry fair isle crochet hat. And this pattern has the look of knitting but in crochet!
Fair Isle Crochet has become more popular in recent years, and I'm here for it. You can enjoy making garments that are not only functional for those warm months but stylish and modern as well.
You can carry on reading to find the free pattern here in this blog post or purchase an ad-free, printable PDF version at any of the buttons above.
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About the Fair Isle Crochet Hat:
Often times when we think about fair isle, we think of knitting. But the world of fair isle crochet is growing and has its own benefits. When most crocheters think of colorwork, they often think of tapestry crochet, but fair isle is its own technique.
What is fair isle crochet?
With fair isle crochet, we change the colors of our work to create a pattern or image. Think of it as pixel drawing, where one stitch equals one pixel of the image. And instead of working over our yarn, we carry our yarn on the back of the work. The benefit of carrying our yarn is the nice drape of the garment. It helps each stitch be less bulky.
Need more crochet colorwork in your life? Check out these crochet patterns:
How to gauge swatch in fair isle crochet.
Since this crochet hat pattern uses the split single crochet (sometimes known as the waistcoat stitch) it has a different gauge in rows than rounds. To gauge swatch for projects that are worked in the round, it's important to swatch in the round.
You won't have to worry about working more than one color, it's just fine being a solid color and measuring the correct gauge. Simply chain the number of stitches to join and have about 4 inches wide and work a tube of crochet until the sample is big enough to measure.
And for this swatch do not worry about joining at the end of each round, keep working continuously for a seamless gauge sample. This is also a great way to practice this stitch if it's new to you.
What Are Some Yarn Alternatives?
We know for this crochet along we will have crocheters from all over the world. Which is really exciting! So feel free to visit your local yarn store or use yarn from your stash. The most important thing about substitutes is making sure you get the correct gauge so your crochet hat fits just right.
The Wool of the Andes Worsted yarn we used for our hats is a bit on the lighter side of worsted. There are some box store DK weight (3) yarns that can work well too.
Acrylic Yarn Suggestions:
Paintbox Yarns Simply DK - 100% Acrylic, (276m/100g)
Lion Brand Jeans - 100% Acrylic (246yds/100g)
StyleCraft Bellissima - 100% Acrylic, 100g (3.5oz), DK
Wool Mix Yarn Suggestions:
WeCrochet Swish Worsted - 100% Superwash Merino Woo,l (110yds/50g)
WeCrochet Wool of the Andes Tweed - 80% Peruvian Highland Wool, 20% Donegal Tweed, (110yds/50g)
Wool Ease Yarn - 80% Acrylic, 20% Wool, (197yds/85g0
Fair Isle Crochet Hat Supplies:
Crochet Hook:
5.0mm (H hook), or hook to obtain gauge
4.0mm (G hook) for ribbing if preffered.
Notions:
Removable stitch markers if needed
Yarn needle to weave in ends
Scissors
Faux Fur Pompom
Or make your own with this tutorial HERE
Yarn:
Wool of the Andes Worsted - 100% Peruvian Highland Wool (110yds/50g)
2 (2, 2, 3) balls, one of each color
Yardage:
95 yds - 150 yds
Abbreviations/Stitches:
blo - back loop only
ch - chain
sl st - slip stitch
ssc - split single crochet
st(s) -stitch(es)
Gauge:
13 sts by 15 rows = 4x4” in ssc
Skill Level:
Intermediate
Size:
Head Circumference:
Baby: 16-17” (41-43 cm)
Toddler: 18-19” (46-48 cm)
Child/Small Adult: 20-21” (51-53 cm)
Adult: 22-23” (56-58 cm)
Notes:
Sizes available are Baby, Toddler, Child, Adult
The Fair Isle Colorwork Crochet Hat is worked in rounds from top down. A single crochet ribbing is then worked in rows around the bottom of the hat. A pompom is placed on top and then it’s ready to wear.
When doing the colorwork the yarn will be carried along the back in the fair isle style. Try to not carry a color for more than 3 stitches so your floats aren’t too long. You can catch/trap the yarn behind a stitch to keep the floats consistent. To read more about colorwork please visit: https://brianakdesigns.com/ways-to-colorwork-in-crochet/
For the colorwork instructions, Color A/White will be abbreviated as (A), Color B/Black as (B). All stitches will be worked in split single crochet.
Example: (B) x 3 = with Color B ssc the next 3 stitches
Special Stitches:
Split Single Crochet (Stsc): https://brianakdesigns.com/split-stitch-mania/
Tip for this stitch! I cannot stress this one enough. If you feel like you are struggling with this knit-look crochet stitch, it's most likely the magic loop. That's the second loop on the hook, and it needs to have enough space to work into it easily on the following round. So when you yarn over and pull up a loop, be sure to pull up to the height of your current stitch and give that 'V' some space.
Fair Isle Crochet Hat Pattern Video:
Baby Size Fair Isle Crochet Hat
| Round | Description | St Count |
| 1 | With Color B and working in a Magic Ring, sc 10 sts, do not join and work continuously. | 10 |
| 2 | This round and the remaining rounds will be worked in ssc sts. Ssc in each stitch around | 10 |
| 3 | 2 ssc in each stitch around | 20 |
| 4 | Ssc in each stitch around | 20 |
| 5 | *2 ssc in first, ssc in next*; repeat from * to * around | 30 |
| 6 | Ssc in each stitch around | 30 |
| 4 | *2 ssc in first, ssc in next 2*; repeat from * to * around | 40 |
| 5 | Ssc in each stitch around | 40 |
| 6 | *2 ssc in first, ssc in next 3*; repeat from * to * around | 50 |
| 7-20 | Go To Colorwork Instructions | 50 |
Child Size Fair Isle Crochet Hat
| Round | Description | St Count |
| 1 | With Color B and working in a Magic Ring, sc 10 sts, do not join and work continuously. | 10 |
| 2 | This round and the remaining rounds will be worked in ssc sts. Ssc in each stitch around | 10 |
| 3 | 2 ssc in each stitch around | 20 |
| 4 | Ssc in each stitch around | 20 |
| 5 | *2 ssc in first, ssc in next*; repeat from * to * around | 30 |
| 6 | Ssc in each stitch around | 30 |
| 4 | *2 ssc in first, ssc in next 2*; repeat from * to * around | 40 |
| 5 | Ssc in each stitch around | 40 |
| 6 | *2 ssc in first, ssc in next 3*; repeat from * to * around | 50 |
| 7 | Ssc in each stitch around | 50 |
| 8 | *2 ssc in first, ssc in next 4*; repeat from * to * around | 60 |
| 9-22 | Go To Colorwork Instructions | 60 |
Teen / Small Adult Size Fair Isle Crochet Hat
| Round | Description | St Count |
| 1 | With Color B and working in a Magic Ring, sc 10 sts, do not join and work continuously. | 10 |
| 2 | This round and the remaining rounds will be worked in ssc sts. Ssc in each stitch around | 10 |
| 3 | 2 ssc in each stitch around | 20 |
| 4 | Ssc in each stitch around | 20 |
| 5 | *2 ssc in first, ssc in next*; repeat from * to * around | 30 |
| 6 | Ssc in each stitch around | 30 |
| 7 | *2 ssc in first, ssc in next 2*; repeat from * to * around | 40 |
| 8 | Ssc in each stitch around | 40 |
| 9 | *2 ssc in first, ssc in next 3*; repeat from * to * around | 50 |
| 10 | Ssc in each stitch around | 50 |
| 11 | *2 ssc in first, ssc in next 4*; repeat from * to * around | 60 |
| 12 | Ssc in each stitch around | 60 |
| 13 | *2 ssc in first, ssc in next 5*; repeat from * to * around | 70 |
| Go To Colorwork Instructions | 70 |
Adult Size Fair Isle Crochet Hat
| Round | Description | St Count |
| 1 | With Color B and working in a Magic Ring, sc 10 sts, do not join and work continuously. | 10 |
| 2 | This round and the remaining rounds will be worked in ssc sts. Ssc in each stitch around | 10 |
| 3 | 2 ssc in each stitch around | 20 |
| 4 | Ssc in each stitch around | 20 |
| 5 | *2 ssc in first, ssc in next*; repeat from * to * around | 30 |
| 6 | Ssc in each stitch around | 30 |
| 7 | *2 ssc in first, ssc in next 2*; repeat from * to * around | 40 |
| 8 | Ssc in each stitch around | 40 |
| 9 | *2 ssc in first, ssc in next 3*; repeat from * to * around | 50 |
| 10 | Ssc in each stitch around | 50 |
| 11 | *2 ssc in first, ssc in next 4*; repeat from * to * around | 60 |
| 12 | Ssc in each stitch around | 60 |
| 13 | *2 ssc in first, ssc in next 5*; repeat from * to * around | 70 |
| 14 | Ssc in each stitch around | 70 |
| 15 | *2 ssc in first, ssc in next 6*; repeat from * to * around | 80 |
| Go To Colorwork Instructions | 80 |
Colorwork Instructions
| Round | Description | St Count |
| 1 | This round and the remaining rounds will be worked in ssc sts. *(B) x 2, (A) x 1, (B) x 2, (A) x 1, (B) x 2, (A) x 1, (B) x 1*; repeat from * to * around | 50 (60, 70, 80) |
| 2 | *(B) x 4, (A) x 3, (B) x 3*; repeat from * to * around | 50 (60, 70, 80) |
| 3 | *(A) x 1, (B) x 2, (A) x 2, (B) x 1, (A) x 2, (B) x 2*; repeat from * to * around | 50 (60, 70, 80) |
| 4 | *(B) x 2, (A) x 3, (B) x 1, (A) x 3, (B) x 1*; repeat from * to * around | 50 (60, 70, 80) |
| 5 | *(B) x 1, (A) x 3, (B) x 3, (A) x 3*; repeat from * to * around | 50 (60, 70, 80) |
| 6 | *(A) x 5, (B) x 1, (A) x 4*; repeat from * to * around | 50 (60, 70, 80) |
| 7 | *(A) x 3, (B) x 1, (A) x 1, (B) x 1, (A) x 1, (B) x 1, (A) x 2*; repeat from * to * around | 50 (60, 70, 80) |
| 8 | *(A) x 4, (B) x 3, (A) x 3*; repeat from * to * around | 50 (60, 70, 80) |
| 9 | *(A) x 2, (B) x 1, (A) x 2, (B) x 1, (A) x 2, (B) x 1, (A) x 1*; repeat from * to * around | 50 (60, 70, 80) |
| 10 | *(B) x 1, (A) x 2, (B) x 1, (A) x 1, (B) x 1, (A) x 1, (B) x 1, (A) x 2*; repeat from * to * around | 50 (60, 70, 80) |
| 11 | *(B) x 2, (A) x 2, (B) x 3, (A) x 2, (B) x 1*; repeat from * to * around | 50 (60, 70, 80) |
| 12 | *(A) x 1, (B) x 2, (A) x 2, (B) x 1, (A) x 2, (B) x 2*; repeat from * to * around | 50 (60, 70, 80) |
| 13 | *(B) x 4, (A) x 3, (B) x 3*; repeat from * to * around | 50 (60, 70, 80) |
| 14 | (B) x 2, (A) x 1, (B) x 2, (A) x 1, (B) x 2, (A) x 1, (B) x 1; repeat from * to * around | 50 (60, 70, 80) |
| Go To Ribbing |
Ribbing Instructions
| Row | Description |
| 1 | With Color A ch 15, in blo sc in second chain from hook and across to sleeve, sl st 2 sts on the sleeve (these do not count as sts), turn. (14 sts) |
| 2 | Skip the two st from the hat body, in blo sc in each st across, turn. |
| 3 | Ch 1, in blo sc in each st across, sl st 2 sts on the hat body, turn. |
| Repeats | Repeat Rows 2-3 around the bottom of the hat body. Join last row to beginning row by slip stitching through blo of first and last row at the same time with the WS facing, and working from the bottom of the hat body to the outer edge. |
Finishing
Fasten off and weave in ends. Attach a pom pom to the top if desired and wear.
Colorwork Chart
For the colorwork portion, repeat each row until the end of the round.
Blank Colorwork Chart
These blank charts are for you to use colored pencils/crayons and fill in your color choices. Repeat each row until the end of the round.
Color Block Chart
This is another way to read the colorwork section, each block number represents how many times that stitch will be crocheted. Repeat each row until the end of the round.
CROCHET & TAG
I hope you have enjoyed making the Fair Isle Hat Pattern!
If you have made this, please share it on social media. Above all, I love to see the projects created with my patterns and also share your beautiful work.
Please use #brianakdesigns or @brianakdesigns
It is much appreciated and adored!