Fair Isle inspired colorwork and a thick double brim combine to make a warm hat that can be pulled down over the ears in the dead of winter, or worn back on the head for a slouchier look in the fall and spring. Knit the Anstruther Hat in bright colors or knit it in neutrals to match everything in your wardrobe.

The Anstruther Hat is worked in the round from the bottom up, beginning with a provisional cast-on edge so the ribbing may be folded in half and joined without seaming to create a warm double brim. This part of the pattern is perfect mindless knitting. From the brim up, the Fair Isle portion begins. Four colors are used to create a lovely geometric pattern. The pattern requires four colors until the top shaping, but no more than two colors are used per row. This yields a pattern that is visually complex but relatively simple to construct.

Materials Required:
Yarn:
Main color: 1 skein of Briggs & Little Sport 100% wool; 430 yards (393 meters) /113 grams (4 ounces) or equivalent sport weight yarn in Gold.

Contrast colors: 40 grams/152 yards (139 meters) of Briggs & Little Sport 100% wool; 430 yards (393 meters) /113 grams (4 ounces) or equivalent sport weight yarn in Navy, Light Grey and Natural White

Needles:
1-16 inch 2.75mm circular needle
5-2.75mm double pointed needles

Other materials:
Tapestry needle
Scrap yarn for provisional cast-on (a snippet of your contrast yarn would work great)
2” Pom pom maker (optional)

Gauge:
35 stitches and 39 rows = 4” in stockinette fair isle pattern. (Color Chart A and B)
35 stitches and 53 rows= 4” in 2x2 ribbing

Sizes:
One size, average ladies. 18” circumference at brim; 9” height including brim; 2” pom pom (optional)

Techniques:
Provisional cast-on using long-tail cast-on, chart reading, knitting in the round, stranded knitting or fair isle knitting, carrying yarn up work, increasing, decreasing and finishing.