This type of hat is known in Shetland as a ‘haaf kep’ and it was worn by fishermen until the early 20th century when they journeyed to the ‘far haaf’, the fishing grounds which lie forty
miles off the coast of Shetland.

Helen designed and made dozens of these keps in her early twenties, selling them privately and through the Shetland Museum, and it was the first garment she designed and wrote the pattern for.

SIZES

1 (2, 3): long adult (short adult, child)

Finished circumference at top of brim: 57 (57, 38) cm / 22 (22, 15) in
Finished length (with folded brim): 41 (33, 22) cm / 16.5 (13, 9) in

YARN

Foula Wool 2ply Jumper weight (equivalent to a 4 ply / fingering weight), 100% Shetland Wool, approx. 89 m / 98 yds per 25g ball

Note: All sizes use the same 6 colours, but size 3 uses the colours in a different order; pay attention to the name of the colour and quantity for each size.

MC: Shetland Black (Shetland Black, Fawn) – 3 (2, 2) balls
CC1: Grey (Grey, White) – 2 (2, 1) balls
CC2: Moorit (all sizes) – 1 ball
CC3: Light Grey (all sizes) – 1 ball
CC4: Fawn (Fawn, Shetland Black) – 1 ball
CC5: White (White, Grey) – 1 ball

OR in 2ply Jumper weight yarn which knits to the specified gauge and has similar softness and colour definition.

APPROXIMATE YARDAGE REQUIRED

MC: 267 (178, 178) m / 294 (196, 196) yds
CC1: 178 (178, 89) m / 196 (196, 98) yds
CC2–CC5: 89 m / 98 yds