Juneau Fair Isle Hat - Free Pattern

This hat was inspired by the beautiful land and seascapes of Juneau, Alaska. While spending time there as winter approached, I realized quickly that my ears were very cold in normal beanie hats; I was desperate for something thick to snuggle my ears! Thus, the Juneau hat was born. The fair isle pattern reflects the mountainous islands in the bay, or sound, with the mountain sides ending at the ocean shore. The ear flaps represent one shore, looking over waves, then across to another mountain across the bay.

Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Size: Fits most adults

Circumference: 24 inches
Height (brim to top): 8 inches
Height (ear flap tip to top): 13 inches

Yarns:

MC = Caron One Pound [100% acrylic; worsted weight; 4 ply; 453 g per skein]
CC = Caron Simply Soft [100% acrylic; worsted weight 4 ply; 315 yd per 170g skein]; 1 skein each color
[MC] Black
[CC] Denim blue

Needles:

1 16-inch US #8 / 5 mm circular needle
1 set US #8 / 5 mm double-point needles
7 stitch markers
Tapestry needle

Gauge: 22 sts/24 rows = 4 inches in pattern

Pattern Notes:

Fair isle makes things extra warm and snuggly, but it also causes pieces to lose their stretch. What you see is what you get. Make sure you gauge your circumference accurately because there won't be much stretch room at all. Switch to double pointed needles when stitches get too tight on the circular needles.
PM = place marker. psso = pass slipped stitch over. MC = main color (black), CC = contrasting color (denim blue)

Ear Flaps (Make 2)

CO 3 st.
Row 1 [RS]: Beg patt 1. K 3.
Row 2 [WS]: p 3.
Row 3: kfb, k1, kfb in patt.
Row 4: p
Continue to p every even [WS] row
Continue in chart ending on WS row 24
Leave stitches on the needle, or place on stitch holders. Set aside.

Body

CO 35 st, place 25 st from ear flap onto circular needle, CO 35 st, place 25 st from ear flap onto circular needle. [120 st total]
Rounds 1-2: k 2 rounds in MC.
Rounds 3-5: Work 1 rep of Patt 2. [3 rounds]
Rounds 6-7: k 2 rounds in MC.
Rounds 8-31: Work 2 reps of Patt 3. [24 rounds]
Round 32: k 1 round in MC.
Round 33: Set up 7 markers for decreases. *k 17, PM, repeat from * six times, k 15, k2tog, PM.

Body Decreases:

Follow chart for Patt 4.
Rounds 1-5: *k to two stitches before marker, k2tog, repeat from * for 5 rounds.
Rounds 6-10: *k to four stitches before marker, k2tog, k2tog, repeat from * for 5 rounds.
Round 11: *k2tog before marker, repeat from * to end. [1 round]

Finishing (Body):

Cut yarns leaving at least 6 inch tails. Thread MC yarn onto tapestry needle and thread into remaining stitch lops, taking stitches off needles. Pull yarn tight to close hole and tie with a knot. Thread into the inside of the hat and sew in tail.

Applied I-Cord Trim

Pick up 25 st along one side of ear flap in CC. Place all stitches onto circular needle.
Continue and pick up 35 st along brim of the body.
Continue and pick up 25 st along side of earflap.
Repeat all for the second half of hat. [170 st picked up]

RS facing out, begin on the right side of an ear flap.

Begin I-Cord: Take out two size 8 dpns. Without breaking yarn from picked up stitches on circular needles, CO 3 st onto dpns.
*On dpns k 2, sl 1, k1 off circular needle onto dpn, psso. Slide stitches to end of dpn. Repeat from * to the next ear flap tip.

To bend I-cord around the ear flap tip: *On dpn k 2, sl 1, knit into the same stitch off circular needle from the previous rep, psso. Repeat from * four times, knitting into the same stitch at the tip of the ear flap, four times.

Repeat all for second half of hat.

BO I-Cord stitches.

Cut yarn and seam ends of I-Cord together. Sew in tail.

Finishing (Tassels):

Measure 6 strips of CC yarn 14 inches long. Thread onto seaming needle and pass through tip of ear flap (or use crochet hook to pull threads through).

Pull yarn half way through. Divide front and back strips into three sections of two strands. Braid for 6 inches. Tie ends into one big knot.

Repeat for second ear flap.

Line up braids and make sure they're even. Trim tassels evenly.

Pattern 1

Pattern 2

Pattern 3
Pattern 4