purlJam

# Highland Stag Beanie

A classic Fair Isle beanie featuring noble stags and Scottish thistles, worked in the round with traditional colorwork techniques. Perfect for the gentleman who appreciates Highland heritage.

## Finished Measurements
- **Circumference**: 54.5cm (21.5") 
- **Height**: 23cm (9") including brim

## Materials
- **Yarn**: DK weight yarn (Light #3)
  - **MC (Main Colour)**: 150g in Natural/Cream
  - **CC (Contrast Colour)**: 100g in Forest Green or Navy
- **Needles**: 
  - 4.0mm (UK 8, US 6) circular needle, 40cm (16") length for ribbing
  - 4.5mm (UK 7, US 7) circular needle, 40cm (16") length for body
  - 4.5mm (UK 7, US 7) double-pointed needles for crown
- **Notions**: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, scissors

## Tension (Gauge)
22 sts and 28 rows = 10cm (4") in stocking stitch on 4.5mm needles
*Always work a tension square and adjust needle size if necessary*

## Abbreviations
- k: knit
- p: purl
- MC: main colour
- CC: contrast colour
- pm: place marker
- k2tog: knit 2 together
- ssk: slip, slip, knit
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rnd(s): round(s)

## Special Notes for Colorwork
- **Reading Charts**: Charts are read from right to left on all rounds (since you're working in the round)
- **Float Management**: Keep floats on wrong side loose - no more than 5 stitches without catching floats
- **Colour Dominance**: Hold MC in left hand, CC in right hand for even tension
- **Yarn Management**: Twist yarns every 3-4 stitches to prevent long floats

## Pattern Instructions

### Brim
Using 4.0mm circular needle and MC, cast on 120 sts. Join for working in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round.

**Rounds 1-20**: *K2, p2; repeat from * to end.
*Brim measures approximately 5cm (2")*

### Body Setup
Change to 4.5mm circular needle.
**Round 21**: Knit all sts in MC.
**Round 22**: Knit all sts in MC.

### Colorwork Section
Begin Chart A (Thistle Border):

**Rounds 23-30**: Work Chart A, repeating the 24-st pattern 5 times around.
*Total: 5 × 24 = 120 sts ✓*

**Rounds 31-32**: Knit all sts in MC.

Begin Chart B (Stag Motif):

**Rounds 33-50**: Work Chart B, repeating the 24-st pattern 5 times around.

**Rounds 51-52**: Knit all sts in MC.

Begin Chart C (Geometric Border):

**Rounds 53-58**: Work Chart C, repeating the 24-st pattern 5 times around.

**Round 59**: Knit all sts in MC.

*Total height should measure approximately 18cm (7") from cast-on edge*

## Charts Section

### CHART A: Thistle Border (24 sts × 8 rows)
```
8:  □□■■□□□□■■□□□□■■□□□□■■□□
7:  □■■■■□□■■■■□□■■■■□□■■■■□
6:  □■■■■□□■■■■□□■■■■□□■■■■□
5:  □□■■□□□□■■□□□□■■□□□□■■□□
4:  □□□■□□□□□■□□□□□■□□□□□■□□
3:  □□■■■□□□■■■□□□■■■□□□■■■□
2:  □■■■■■□■■■■■□■■■■■□■■■■■
1:  ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■
```

### CHART B: Highland Stag (24 sts × 18 rows)
```
18: □□□□□□■■■■■■□□□□□□□□□□□□
17: □□□□□■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□□□□
16: □□□□■■■□□□■■■■□□□□□□□□□□
15: □□□□■■■□□□■■■■□□□□□□□□□□
14: □□□□■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□□□
13: □□□■■■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□□
12: □□■■■■■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□
11: □□■■■■□■■■■□■■■■□□□□□□□□
10: □□■■■□□■■■■□□■■■□□□□□□□□
9:  □□■■■□□■■■■□□■■■□□□□□□□□
8:  □□■■■■■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□
7:  □□□■■■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□□
6:  □□□□■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□□□
5:  □□□□■■■□□■■■■■□□□□□□□□□□
4:  □□□□■■■□□■■■■■□□□□□□□□□□
3:  □□□□■■■□□■■■■■□□□□□□□□□□
2:  □□□□■■■□□■■■■■□□□□□□□□□□
1:  □□□□■■■□□■■■■■□□□□□□□□□□
```

### CHART C: Geometric Border (24 sts × 6 rows)
```
6:  ■■■□□□■■■□□□■■■□□□■■■□□□
5:  ■■□□□□■■□□□□■■□□□□■■□□□□
4:  ■□□□□□□■□□□□□■□□□□□■□□□□
3:  ■■□□□□■■□□□□■■□□□□■■□□□□
2:  ■■■□□□■■■□□□■■■□□□■■■□□□
1:  ■■■■□■■■■■□■■■■■□■■■■■□■
```

**Chart Key:**
- □ = MC (Main Colour)
- ■ = CC (Contrast Colour)

### Crown Shaping
Change to double-pointed needles when stitches become too few for circular needle.

**Round 60**: *K13, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (112 sts)
*Check: 8 decreases × 15 = 120 → 112 sts ✓*

**Round 61**: Knit all sts in MC.

**Round 62**: *K12, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (104 sts)

**Round 63**: Knit all sts in MC.

**Round 64**: *K11, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (96 sts)

**Round 65**: *K10, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (88 sts)

**Round 66**: *K9, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (80 sts)

**Round 67**: *K8, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (72 sts)

**Round 68**: *K7, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (64 sts)

**Round 69**: *K6, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (56 sts)

**Round 70**: *K5, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (48 sts)

**Round 71**: *K4, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (40 sts)

**Round 72**: *K3, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (32 sts)

**Round 73**: *K2, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (24 sts)

**Round 74**: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (16 sts)

**Round 75**: *K2tog; repeat from * to end. (8 sts)

## Finishing
1. Cut yarn leaving a 15cm (6") tail.
2. Thread tail through remaining 8 stitches and pull tight to close crown.
3. Weave in all ends securely on the wrong side.
4. **Blocking**: Soak in cool water for 10 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring). Lay flat on towels and shape to measurements. Allow to dry completely. *Note: Proper blocking is essential for colorwork to lay flat and even.*

## Care Instructions
Hand wash in cool water with wool-safe detergent. Lay flat to dry. Store flat or loosely folded to maintain shape.

---
*Pattern and charts © 2024. This Highland Stag Beanie celebrates Scottish heritage with traditional Fair Isle techniques adapted for the modern knitter.*