INTRODUCTION

Kilim

by Kelly Forster

The rich colors and texture of the Fibre Company’s beautiful Acadia yarn resemble Kilim tapestry-woven carpets when worked up in this 3-color Fair Isle cap. Knit in the round from brim-to-crown, this project comes together quickly and is sure to inspire even the most color-shy to experiment with a variety of hues.

This is a trick that I learned from a friend regarding choosing colors for a project: Line your skeins of yarn up side-by-side and photograph them with your smartphone, choosing the black & white filter option. Study the photograph. Do the yarns vary enough, or are they too similar? You want to be sure to select colors that have enough contrast to make the design pop.

model: Carly Forster, Caleb Forster

photos: Kelly Forster

SIZE

Adult S[M, L]
shown in Adult M.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Head Circumference: 17.5[20, 22.75] inches/ 44.5[51, 57.75] cm
Depth: 7.25[7.5, 7.75] inches/ 18.5[19, 19.5] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
The Fibre Company Acadia [60% Wool, 20% Alpaca, 20% Silk; 145 yd/133 m per 50 g skein]; colors:
Green version (shown above):
[MC] Poppy; 1 skein
[CC1] Jack Pine; 1 skein
[CC2] Kelp; 1 skein

Grey version (shown below):
[MC] Driftwood; 1 skein
[CC1] Cormorant; 1 skein
[CC2] Moraine; 1 skein

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #3/3.25mm circular needle, 16-inch/40cm
US #5/3.75mm circular needle, 16-inch/40cm
US #5/3.75mm needles for small circumference in the round

Notions
yarn needle
6[7, 8] stitch markers

GAUGE

28 sts/32 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch using larger needles
28 sts/32 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in stranded colorwork in the round using larger needles, after blocking

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Techniques:

• Fair Isle
• 2-Color Italian CO method

CHARTS

DIRECTIONS

Brim
Using smaller circular needle and CC1 and CC2 held together (CC2 is held on the bottom), loosely CO 120[140, 160] sts using the 2-Color Italian CO method placing a marker after each set of 20 sts. Place a different marker to indicate the beginning of the round and join for working in the round being careful not to twist your sts. Cut CC2; ribbing is worked only in CC1.

Ribbing round: *K1, [p2, k3] 3 times, p2, k2, sm; rep from * around.
Work ribbing as set for a total of 4[6, 8] rounds.

Body
Switch to larger circular needles and work Rounds 1-53 of your Colorwork chart. When hat gets too small to work on circular needle, change to your preferred small-circumference method. 12[14, 16] sts remain.

FINISHING

With your yarn needle, run your tail through the remaining loops on your needles and pull tight to draw closed. Weave in all ends on the inside of your hat. Block to finished measurements.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Kelly Forster is a knitting designer and teacher from the Pacific Northwest where she lives with her husband, three children, two kitties and one very loony big brown dog. Kelly first picked up a pair of knitting needles nearly 12 years ago and has not been able to put them down since! She receives a regular dose of color and inspiration at her LYS where she works and teaches.


You can find out more about Kelly and her designs on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, Ravelry and Craftsy.

Pattern & images © 2018 Kelly Forster