Add a touch of playful charm to your winter wardrobe with the When Pigs Fly Beanie, part of our Fair Isle Series. This stranded Fair Isle hat features adorable flying pigs and sweet hearts, making it the perfect accessory to celebrate Valentine’s Day or to share a smile on any chilly day.
The intricate pattern combines vibrant colors and classic Fair Isle techniques to create a cozy, snug hat that’s as festive as it is functional. Whether you’re knitting it for yourself or gifting it to someone special, this hat will keep hearts warm and spirits high throughout the season.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: Finished Hat Circumference 18 (19, 20)”; Length: 8 (8.5, 9)”
Shown in size 19” and worn with 2” of negative ease.
Gauge: 24 sts and 32 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st
Materials
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (55% wool, 33% acrylic, 12% cashmere; 137 yards [125 meters]/50 grams): #78 Lipstick Pink (MC, 1 skein), #101 Ecru (CC, 1 skein)
Needles: US size 3 (2.75 mm) and US size 4 (3.5 mm) needles (in preferred style for working small circumferences in the round)
Notions: 2” pom pom maker, stitch markers, tapestry needle
Pattern Notes
This pattern is worked in the round from the bottom up. Where you begin the colorwork chart will depend on the size you are knitting. It’s recommended that when the second strand must be carried more than 3 or 4 stitches that the yarns be twisted to secure the floats on the inside of the hat.
Pattern
Brim
With smaller needles CO 110 (114, 120) sts and join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist. Pm for beginning of round.
Work in k1, p1 ribbing until work measures 1.75 (1.75, 2)” from CO edge.
Rnd 1: With larger needles, knit.
Rnd 2: – (M1, – ), knit to end. (110 (115, 120) sts)
Rnd 3: Knit.
Join CC and work big heart chart 5 times across each round. Where you being the chart will depend on which size you are working.
Once you’ve completed the chart break CC and continue in MC working in stockinette stitch until hat measures 5.75 (6.25, 6.75)” from CO edge.
Crown Decreases
Size 18” Only: K2tog, k53, k2tog, knit to end. (108 sts)
Size 19” Only: K2tog, knit to end. (114 sts)
When you run out of MC join CC and continue hat decreases in CC to end.
All Sizes
Rnd 1: *K16 (17, 18), k2tog; rep from * to end. (102 (108, 114) sts)
Even Rnds 2-18: Knit.
Rnd 3: *K15 (16, 17), k2tog; rep from * to end. (96 (102, 108) sts)
Rnd 5: *K14 (15, 16), k2tog; rep from * to end. (90 (96, 102) sts)
Rnd 7: *K13 (14, 15), k2tog; rep from * to end. (84 (90, 96) sts)
Rnd 9: *K12 (13, 14), k2tog; rep from * to end. (78 (84, 90) sts)
Rnd 11: *K11 (12, 13), k2tog; rep from * to end. (72 (78, 84) sts)
Rnd 13: *K10 (11, 12), k2tog; rep from * to end. (66 (72, 78) sts)
Rnd 15: *K9 (10, 11), k2tog; rep from * to end. (60 (66, 72) sts)
Rnd 17: *K8 (9, 10), k2tog; rep from * to end. (54 (60, 66) sts)
Continue decreasing every round as established until 12 sts remain.
Last Rnd: *K2tog; rep from * to end. (6 sts)
Break yarn and pull through remaining 6 sts.
Finishing
Using pom pom maker and CC, make a pom pom for the top. Trim to shape, leave long tail to attach. Attach pom pom to the top of hat.
Weave in ends and trim. Wash and block gently.