purlJam

<pattern>

# **PINE WREATH FAIR ISLE BEANIE**

A classic winter beanie featuring a festive pine wreath motif wrapping around the hat. This beginner-friendly Fair Isle pattern uses simple colorwork techniques to create a beautiful seasonal accessory. The ribbed brim provides a snug, comfortable fit while the double crochet body showcases the wreath design beautifully.

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## **SKILL LEVEL**
Beginner (with basic colorwork introduction)

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## **SIZE**
Adult Medium (21-22" head circumference)

**Finished Measurements:**
- Circumference: 20.5" (unstretched)
- Height: 8.5" (crown to brim edge)

*Note: Pattern can be adjusted for other sizes - see Notes section*

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## **MATERIALS**

**Yarn:**
- **Main Color (MC)**: Worsted weight yarn, Forest Green, 120 yards
- **Contrast Color 1 (CC1)**: Worsted weight yarn, Cream/Off-White, 40 yards
- **Contrast Color 2 (CC2)**: Worsted weight yarn, Red, 20 yards

*Recommended: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice or Red Heart Super Saver (3.5 oz/170 yd skeins)*
*You'll need: 1 skein MC, 1 skein CC1, 1 skein CC2*

**Hook:**
- US H-8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge

**Notions:**
- Stitch marker
- Yarn needle for weaving in ends
- Scissors

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## **GAUGE**
14 dc and 8 rounds = 4 inches in colorwork pattern (worked in the round, blocked)

**IMPORTANT**: Gauge is critical for proper fit! Colorwork can affect tension.
- Make a gauge swatch working in rounds with both colors
- If too many stitches per 4": try a larger hook
- If too few stitches per 4": try a smaller hook
- Block your swatch before measuring

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## **ABBREVIATIONS**
- ch = chain
- dc = double crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- MC = Main Color
- CC1 = Contrast Color 1
- CC2 = Contrast Color 2
- BLO = back loop only
- rnd(s) = round(s)
- sl st = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- [ ] = repeat instructions within brackets

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## **SPECIAL TECHNIQUES**

### **Colorwork/Fair Isle in Crochet:**
When working with two colors in the same round, carry the unused color along the inside of your work:

1. **Changing Colors**: Work the last stitch before color change until 2 loops remain on hook, yarn over with new color and pull through both loops to complete stitch.

2. **Carrying Yarn**: Hold the unused color against the wrong side of your work and crochet over it loosely with the working color. Don't pull carried yarn tight - leave small floats.

3. **Float Management**: Keep floats (carried yarn) loose enough that fabric doesn't pucker. Generally keep floats under 4-5 stitches when possible.

4. **Tension**: Maintain consistent tension with both colors. Colorwork tends to be tighter, so relax your grip slightly.

### **Joined Rounds Method:**
For cleaner colorwork, this pattern uses joined rounds:
- At end of each round: sl st to first st
- Ch 2 (counts as first dc of next round)
- Continue pattern

### **Back Loop Only Ribbing:**
For the brim, working in BLO creates horizontal ridges that mimic knit ribbing.

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## **PATTERN NOTES**

- Pattern is worked from the top down in joined rounds
- Crown is worked in solid MC
- Body features Fair Isle pine wreath motif
- Brim is worked in solid MC with BLO for ribbed texture
- Ch 2 at beginning of rounds counts as first dc throughout
- For a longer/slouchy beanie, add 2-3 extra rounds after colorwork section
- For other sizes, adjust starting stitch count:
  - Teen/Small Adult: 60 sts (5 repeats)
  - Adult Large: 84 sts (7 repeats)

---

## **COLORWORK CHARTS**

### **CHART A: Pine Wreath Motif**
**12 stitches × 8 rounds**
**Repeat 6 times around hat (72 total stitches)**

```
Round 8:  □ □ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □
Round 7:  □ ■ ● ● ■ ■ ■ ■ ● ● ■ □
Round 6:  ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Round 5:  ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ □ □ ■ ■ ■
Round 4:  ■ ■ ■ □ □ □ □ □ □ ■ ■ ■
Round 3:  ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Round 2:  □ ■ ● ● ■ ■ ■ ■ ● ● ■ □
Round 1:  □ □ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ □ □
          1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
```

**COLOR KEY:**
- □ = MC (Forest Green)
- ■ = CC1 (Cream/Off-White) - Pine needles
- ● = CC2 (Red) - Berries

**How to Read Chart:**
- Read each round from RIGHT to LEFT
- Each square = 1 double crochet stitch
- Round numbers shown on left
- Work the 12-stitch pattern 6 times around each round
- Pattern creates a wreath of pine branches with red berries

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## **INSTRUCTIONS**

### **CROWN (Worked in MC only)**

**Rnd 1:** Using MC, make a magic ring, ch 2 (counts as first dc here and throughout), work 11 dc into ring, pull ring tight, sl st to top of ch-2 to join. [12 sts]

**Rnd 2:** Ch 2, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, sl st to top of ch-2 to join. [24 sts]
*Check: 24 sts ÷ 12 = 2 sts per original section ✓*

**Rnd 3:** Ch 2, dc in same st, [dc in next st, 2 dc in next st] around, sl st to top of ch-2 to join. [36 sts]
*Check: 36 sts ÷ 12 = 3 sts per original section ✓*

**Rnd 4:** Ch 2, dc in same st, [dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st] around, sl st to top of ch-2 to join. [48 sts]
*Check: 48 sts ÷ 12 = 4 sts per original section ✓*

**Rnd 5:** Ch 2, dc in same st, [dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st] around, sl st to top of ch-2 to join. [60 sts]
*Check: 60 sts ÷ 12 = 5 sts per original section ✓*

**Rnd 6:** Ch 2, dc in same st, [dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st] around, sl st to top of ch-2 to join. [72 sts]
*Check: 72 sts ÷ 12 = 6 sts per original section ✓*
*Check: 72 sts ÷ 6 repeats = 12 sts per chart repeat ✓*

**Crown should measure approximately 1.5 inches from center to edge.**

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### **BODY**

**Rnds 7-8:** Ch 2, dc in each st around, sl st to top of ch-2 to join. [72 sts]

*You are now ready to begin the Fair Isle colorwork section.*

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### **COLORWORK SECTION (Follow Chart A)**

**SETUP:** Have all three yarn colors ready. When not in use, carry yarn loosely on inside of work.

**Rnd 9 (Chart Round 1):** 
Following Chart A from right to left, work the 12-stitch pattern 6 times around:
- Ch 2 with MC (counts as first dc), dc in next st with MC
- Join CC1, dc in next 8 sts with CC1
- Switch back to MC, dc in last 2 sts with MC
- *This completes one 12-st repeat*
- Repeat this sequence 5 more times around (6 total repeats)
- Sl st to top of ch-2 to join. [72 sts]

**Rnd 10 (Chart Round 2):**
- Ch 2 with MC, dc in next st with CC1
- Join CC2, dc in next 2 sts with CC2
- Dc in next 4 sts with CC1
- Dc in next 2 sts with CC2
- Dc in next st with CC1, dc in last st with MC
- Repeat this 12-st sequence 5 more times around
- Sl st to top of ch-2 to join. [72 sts]

**Rnd 11 (Chart Round 3):**
- Ch 2 with CC1, dc in next 4 sts with CC1
- Dc in next 2 sts with MC
- Dc in next 5 sts with CC1
- Repeat this 12-st sequence 5 more times around
- Sl st to top of ch-2 to join. [72 sts]

**Rnd 12 (Chart Round 4):**
- Ch 2 with CC1, dc in next 2 sts with CC1
- Dc in next 6 sts with MC
- Dc in next 3 sts with CC1
- Repeat this 12-st sequence 5 more times around
- Sl st to top of ch-2 to join. [72 sts]

**Rnd 13 (Chart Round 5):**
- Repeat Rnd 12 pattern. [72 sts]

**Rnd 14 (Chart Round 6):**
- Repeat Rnd 11 pattern. [72 sts]

**Rnd 15 (Chart Round 7):**
- Repeat Rnd 10 pattern. [72 sts]

**Rnd 16 (Chart Round 8):**
- Repeat Rnd 9 pattern. [72 sts]

*Cut CC1 and CC2, leaving 6-inch tails. Continue with MC only.*

**Rnds 17-18:** With MC, ch 2, dc in each st around, sl st to top of ch-2 to join. [72 sts]

**Body should measure approximately 5 inches from crown center to current edge.**

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### **RIBBED BRIM (Worked in MC only)**

**Rnd 19:** Ch 1, hdc in BLO of each st around, sl st to first hdc to join. [72 sts]
*Note: Switching to hdc creates denser fabric for brim*

**Rnds 20-30:** Ch 1, hdc in BLO of each st around, sl st to first hdc to join. [72 sts]
*Continue working in BLO to create ribbed texture*

**Brim should measure approximately 2 inches.**

**Final Round:** Ch 1, sc loosely in each st around, sl st to first sc to join.

Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail.

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## **FINISHING**

1. **Weave in Ends:** Using yarn needle, weave in all ends securely on the wrong side. Pay special attention to color change points - weave through several stitches to secure.

2. **Block:** 
   - Lightly steam or wet block the beanie
   - Stuff with a towel or place on a balloon/bowl to shape
   - Allow to dry completely
   - Blocking is especially important for colorwork to even out stitches

3. **Optional Pompom:**
   - Wrap MC yarn around 3.