Fair Isle Knit Hat Pattern (With Chart)

If you’re looking for a fun and colorful Fair Isle knit hat pattern, this project is perfect for you.

Designed for intermediate knitters, this hat introduces you to Fair Isle knitting using four different colors—grey, light grey, mustard, and pink.

This beanie knitting pattern is a great way to practice colorwork knitting, create a warm winter hat, and add a pom pom for extra charm.

Please scroll down to view the free pattern or grab your ad-free printable PDF in my shop here.

Why You’ll Love This Hat Knitting Pattern

Uses circular knitting needles for seamless construction.
Incorporates Fair Isle patterns to enhance your skills.
Features a beautiful color combination of wool yarn.
Great for cold weather—the extra strands create warmth.
A free pattern that is both fun and rewarding!

Skill Level: Intermediate

To knit this hat, you should be familiar with:

Decreasing with K2tog (knit two stitches together)
Knit stitch and purl stitch
Knitting in the round (Watch the video tutorial: How to join knitting in the round with circular knitting needles)
Stranded colorwork pattern

What is Fair Isle Knitting?

Fair Isle knitting, also called stranded knitting, involves working with two or more colors in a single row.

The unused yarn is carried across the inside of the hat, creating floats that provide extra insulation.

Why Use This Technique?

Adds warmth due to floats on the back.
Works best in the round for smooth transitions.
Allows for intricate designs without excessive bulk.

Materials Needed

Yarn

Bulky/Chunky/12-Ply Yarn
Colors Used:
- Yarn A: Grey (Kartopu Melange Wool – M1009)
- Yarn B: Light Grey (Kartopu Melange Wool – MK928)
- Yarn C: Mustard (Kartopu Melange Wool – K3063)
- Yarn D: Light Pink (Kartopu Melange Wool – MK135)

Yarn Weight Guide (+ Conversion Chart)

Needles

Smaller needle: 5.5 mm (US 9) circular knitting needles (for ribbing)
Larger needles: 6 mm (US 10) circular knitting needles (for the main body of the hat)
Optional: 6 mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) for shaping the top.

Notions

Tape measure
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Stitch markers
Pom pom maker Clover 2 – 1/2 inch Large.

Gauge & Sizing

Gauge swatch: 18 stitches x 22 rounds = 4” x 4” (10 cm x 10 cm)
Size: Average adult head
- Height (without pom-pom): 8 inches
- Width: 8 inches (flat, unstretched)

Pattern Instructions

Knitting Abbreviations

CO = Cast on
K = Knit
P = Purl
K2tog = Knit two stitches together
PM = Place marker
Rem = Remaining
Rep = Repeat
St(s) = Stitch(es)

Step 1: Ribbing

With Grey yarn (Yarn A) and 5.5 mm/US 9 circular knitting needles:

CO 72 stitches using the long-tail cast-on method, join in the round, and PM.
Work in 1×1 ribbing (K1, P1) for 2 inches.

Step 2: Fair Isle Colorwork

Switch to 6 mm/US 10 circular knitting needles and begin the colourwork pattern:

Round 1: *k1 with Yarn A, k1 with Yarn B. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 2: *k1 Yarn B, k1 Yarn A. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 3: knit round with Yarn B.
Round 4: *k1 Yarn B, k1 Yarn C. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 5: *k1 Yarn C, k1 Yarn A. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 6: knit round with Yarn C.
Round 7: *k1 Yarn C, k1 Yarn B. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 8: *k1 Yarn B, k1 Yarn C. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 9: knit round with Yarn B.
Round 10: *k1 Yarn B, k1 Yarn D. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 11: *k1 Yarn D, k1 Yarn B. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 12: knit round with Yarn D.
Round 13: *k1 Yarn D, k1 Yarn B. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 14: *k1 Yarn B, k1 Yarn D. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 15: knit round with Yarn B.
Round 16: *k1 Yarn B, k1 Yarn C. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 17: *k1 Yarn C, k1 Yarn B. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 18: knit round with Yarn C.
Round 19: *k1 Yarn C, k1 Yarn B. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 20: *k1 Yarn B, k1 Yarn C. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 21: knit round with Yarn B.
Round 22: *k1 Yarn B, k1 Yarn A. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 23: *k1 Yarn A, k1 Yarn B. Repeat from * to the end of the round.

Step 3: Decreasing for the Crown

Switch back to Yarn A:

Round 1: *k7, k2tog. Repeat from * to end of the round.
Round 2: knit
Round 3: *k6, k2tog. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 4: knit
Round 5: *k5, k2tog. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 6: knit
Round 7: *k4, k2tog. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 8: knit
Round 9: *k3, k2tog. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 10: knit
Round 11: *k2, k2tog. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Round 12: knit
Round 13: *k1, k2tog. Repeat from * to the end of the round.

Cut yarn, weave the tail end through the remaining 16 sts, and draw up to close the top of the hat.

Weave in ends and add a pom-pom if you wish to the top of the hat.

Chart

You may want to use this chart to help you.

Helpful Tutorials

More Free Hat Patterns

If you love knitting hats, check out these other designs:

Find More: Hat Knitting Patterns Library

Download the Printable PDF

Prefer an ad-free, printable version?

Purchase the PDF pattern in my shop here: Buy Now.

Share Your Work

I love seeing your finished hat projects.

Share on social media and tag me on Instagram @handylittleme, or join our Facebook group.

Happy knitting!