Traditional Fair Isle Fisherman’s Kep – Finished, Blocked and Tasseled

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

Here’s a photo of my first kep finished, blocked and tasseled.

Here’s a photo of the same kep being worn in the wilds of coastal Thailand!

I joined a knit-a-long on Facebook because I wanted to build my stranded colorwork skills and thought an online group would be a good way to do this.

It’s been a great experience, and in the process, buying the pattern has helped support the museum on Fair Isle – a very worthy cause indeed.

If you’re interested in knitting one of these hats, you can visit The Fair Isle Fisherman’s Kep Page on Facebook and ask to become a member.

The pattern you purchase gives a lot of helpful guidelines and allows you to choose from a selection of Fair Isle designs to create a masterpiece of your own, also choosing colors that interest you.

For my kep I used a range of colors from Jamiesons of Shetland, in their Spindrift range: ginger, cinammon, buttercup, flax and mermaid.

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Knitting a Fair Isle Fisherman’s Kep

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

I’ve been learning more about Fair Isle knitting recently and wanted to  try a pattern that used this color-stranded knitting technique before embarking on a larger project for my Master Hand Knitting course.

I found a group on Facebook that offered a paid pattern by an expert in the technique, with proceeds going to support the museum on Fair Isle.

It’s a closed group, but if you’re interested in joining a knit-a-long and meet knitters from around the world, it’s worth going to the site and asking to be added as a member:

The Fair Isle Fisherman’s Kep Page

The photo above shows my progress on the kep (cap) – one more small pattern repeat and I’ll be ready to start the decreases, add a tassel and then block the cap.

I hope to wear it when I visit Fair Isle in July.  It’s not really suitable for the climate here in Thailand.

Happy Knitting!
MikeH