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 and photographed by Jennifer Daley at her studio in Fair Isle, Shetland Islands, Scotland, the historic birthplace of Fair Isle knitting.

Knitting Jenny Pattern 19 includes knitting patterns, motifs, and instructions in the following inclusive formats:

• Color Charts
• Grayscale Charts
• Grayscale Inverse Charts
• Written Instructions
• Illustrations
• Photographic Tutorial

Knitting Jenny Pattern 19 features 4 colors and requires:

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

The kep was designed and knit with 4 colors of Jamieson and Smith brand 2 ply jumper weight, also known as Shetland Wool Brokers. Alternately, substitute fingering weight or 2 ply equivalent to a 4 ply.

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 knitting stitches are situated in the same direction.

The gauge is:

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

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 29 illustrations and 49 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.