purlJam

# Highland Stag Men's Beanie

A classic ribbed beanie featuring a traditional stag motif worked in fair isle technique. Perfect for showcasing beautiful hand-spun yarns in natural woodland colours.

## DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Beginner (Fair isle colorwork)

## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
- **Circumference**: 54.5cm (21½") 
- **Height**: 23cm (9")

## MATERIALS
- **Yarn**: DK weight hand-spun wool yarn
  - **MC (Main Colour)**: Cream - 80g (160m/175yds)
  - **CC (Contrast Colour)**: Dark brown - 20g (40m/44yds)
- **Needles**: 4.0mm (UK 8) circular needle, 40cm (16") length
- **Needles**: 4.0mm (UK 8) double-pointed needles for crown shaping
- **Notions**: Stitch marker, tapestry needle

## TENSION (GAUGE)
22 sts and 30 rows = 10cm (4") in stocking stitch with 4.0mm needles
**Always check your tension before beginning**

## ABBREVIATIONS
- **k**: knit
- **p**: purl
- **MC**: main colour (cream)
- **CC**: contrast colour (dark brown)
- **k2tog**: knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
- **ssk**: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- **pm**: place marker
- **sm**: slip marker
- **st(s)**: stitch(es)
- **RS**: right side
- **rep**: repeat

## SPECIAL TECHNIQUES

### Fair Isle Colorwork
- Strand the unused colour loosely across the back of work
- Keep floats under 5 stitches in length
- Maintain consistent tension to prevent puckering
- Twist yarns every 3-4 stitches when carrying colours

### Reading Charts
- Charts are read from right to left on RS (odd-numbered) rows
- Each square represents one stitch
- Work the 15-stitch repeat 8 times around

## PATTERN

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

**Rounds 1-20**: *K2, p2; rep from * to end. (120 sts)

### Body
**Round 21**: Knit in MC. (120 sts)

### Colorwork Section
Work Rounds 22-35 following Chart A, repeating the 15-stitch pattern 8 times around.
*Math check: 8 repeats × 15 sts = 120 sts ✓*

**Rounds 36-38**: Knit in MC. (120 sts)

### Crown Shaping
**Round 39**: *K13, k2tog; rep from * around. (112 sts)
*Math check: 120 - 8 decreases = 112 sts ✓*

**Round 40**: Knit in MC. (112 sts)

**Round 41**: *K12, k2tog; rep from * around. (104 sts)
*Math check: 112 - 8 decreases = 104 sts ✓*

**Round 42**: Knit in MC. (104 sts)

Continue decreasing in this manner, working one fewer stitch before each k2tog on alternate rounds:

**Round 43**: *K11, k2tog; rep from * around. (96 sts)
**Round 44**: Knit. (96 sts)
**Round 45**: *K10, k2tog; rep from * around. (88 sts)
**Round 46**: Knit. (88 sts)
**Round 47**: *K9, k2tog; rep from * around. (80 sts)
**Round 48**: Knit. (80 sts)

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

**Round 49**: *K8, k2tog; rep from * around. (72 sts)
**Round 50**: *K7, k2tog; rep from * around. (64 sts)
**Round 51**: *K6, k2tog; rep from * around. (56 sts)
**Round 52**: *K5, k2tog; rep from * around. (48 sts)
**Round 53**: *K4, k2tog; rep from * around. (40 sts)
**Round 54**: *K3, k2tog; rep from * around. (32 sts)
**Round 55**: *K2, k2tog; rep from * around. (24 sts)
**Round 56**: *K1, k2tog; rep from * around. (16 sts)
**Round 57**: *K2tog; rep from * around. (8 sts)

Break yarn, leaving a 20cm (8") tail. Thread through remaining stitches and pull tight to close.

## CHARTS SECTION

### CHART A: Stag Motif (15 sts × 14 rows)
Work this 15-stitch repeat 8 times around (120 stitches total)

```
35: □□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
34: □□■■■■■■■■■□□□□
33: □□■□□□□□□□■□□□□
32: □□■□■■■■■□■□□□□
31: □□■□■□□□■□■□□□□
30: □□■□■□□□■□■□□□□
29: □■■■■□□□■■■■□□□
28: □■□□■□□□■□□■□□□
27: □■□□■■■■■□□■□□□
26: □■□□□□■□□□□■□□□
25: ■■■□□□■□□□■■■□□
24: ■□■■□□■□□■■□■□□
23: ■□□■■■■■■■□□■□□
22: □□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
```

**Chart Key:**
- □ = MC (Cream)
- ■ = CC (Dark brown)

**Chart Instructions:**
- Read chart from right to left
- Work rows 22-35 once
- Repeat the 15-stitch pattern 8 times around each row
- Row 22 begins the colorwork section

## FINISHING

### Blocking
Weave in all ends securely, especially at colour changes. Lightly steam block, being careful not to flatten the ribbing. Pay special attention to evening out the colorwork tension.

### Care Instructions
Hand wash in cool water with wool-appropriate detergent. Lay flat to dry, reshaping while damp.

## DESIGN NOTES
This pattern celebrates traditional British countryside imagery with a simplified stag silhouette perfect for beginners to fair isle knitting. The natural cream and dark brown colours showcase the beautiful texture of hand-spun wool while creating a timeless, masculine accessory.

The stag motifs are spaced to create an even, balanced design around the hat, with each motif clearly defined against the cream background. The ribbed brim provides excellent stretch and warmth, whilst the shaped crown ensures a comfortable, tailored fit.

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*© Pattern by Expert Technical Designer. This pattern is for personal use only.*