Knitting Jenny Pattern 37: Fair Isle Inspired Fisherman’s Kep

A Fair Isle "stash-buster," this design is fun to knit with whatever random leftover yarn you already have in your stash! 

Knitting Jenny Pattern 37: 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 book includes knitting patterns, motifs, and instructions in the following inclusive formats:

• Graphic Charts
• Written Instructions
• Illustrations
• Photographic Tutorials

This 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 is knit circularly. Firstly, knit the brim. Secondly, continue knitting upward to the head. Thirdly, knit the crown.

The kep is designed and knit with Jamieson and Smith brand Shetland Heritage wool (or alternately substitute any fingering weight, 2 ply jumper weight, or 2 ply equivalent to a 4 ply).

The photographed kep includes 14 colors of wool; however, the design is intended as a “stash-buster.” Use whatever random leftover yarn you already have in your stash! 

If you have no leftover yarn in your possession, then purchase just two contrasting colors for a striking repetitive design, or purchase many different colors for a colorful kep. The color combinations are endless with this design. 

The following tools are suggested for this pattern.

• 2.0mm knitting needles (for the brim and crown)
• 2.75mm knitting needles (for the stranded colorwork)

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

36 stitches and 42 rows to 4 inches (10 centimeters) over the stranded colorwork pattern, knit circularly with 2.75mm knitting needles, after washing, blocking, drying.

The knitting needle sizes stipulated in this pattern are designed to achieve a knitted kep that fits a medium size head. This book also includes advice regarding how to achieve a finished kep hat size that is either larger or smaller.

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 23 illustrations and 47 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.