Knitting Jenny Pattern 19: Fair Isle Inspired Fisherman’s Kep

Knitting Jenny Pattern 19: Fair Isle Inspired Fisherman’s Kep is a modern interpretation of a traditional Fair Isle inspired fisherman’s kep (or cap or hat).

The kep is long, conical, colorful, and meant to be worn folded at the crown, in the historic style of fishermen and sailors.

The kep features a turnup brim, which is a practical design element as the turnup provides a double layer of knitting at the ears and widest part of the head.

The fisherman’s kep was designed by Jennifer Daley at her studio in Fair Isle, Shetland Islands, Scotland, the historic birthplace of Fair Isle knitting.

The kep was designed and knit with Jamieson and Smith brand 100% pure Shetland wool in 2 ply jumper weight (or substitute any fingering weight or 2 ply equivalent to a 4 ply).

The pattern requires four colors of wool.

The suggested knitting needles for this pattern:

• 2.0mm knitting needles (for the ribbing)
• 3.25mm knitting needles (for the stranded colorwork)

The gauge (or tension) for this Knitting Jenny pattern is:

32 stitches and 38 rows (rounds) to 4 inches (10 centimeters) over the stranded colorwork pattern, knit in the round with 3.25mm knitting needles, after washing, blocking, drying.

The kep is knit circularly. Firstly, provisionally cast on. Secondly, knit the brim, then cast off. Thirdly, unravel the provisional cast on, then knit the interior brim ribbing. Fourthly, continue knitting upward to the head, crown, and apex.

This method of construction ensures that when the kep is worn, all the knitting stitches are uniform, running in the same direction.

The book includes a discussion on the topic of Color Dominance, to support consistent, uniform stitch definition.

Additionally included is a Tassel Tutorial, to adorn the apex of the kep in the traditional way.

The book includes 22 illustrations and 45 pages.

The book is intended to be read electronically, in consideration of the environment.

Published in the United States in 2023 by Mall & Mall Press, a publishing imprint of Mall & Mall LLC.

The book is delivered as an immediate digital download in PDF format and therefore cannot be returned, exchanged, or refunded.