Knitting Jenny Pattern 29: Fair Isle Inspired Fisherman’s Kep is a modern interpretation of a traditional Fair Isle fisherman’s kep (or cap or hat).

The kep is long, conical, colorful, and meant to be worn folded at the crown, in the historic style of fishermen and sailors.

This book includes knitting patterns, motifs, and instructions in the following inclusive formats:

• Color Charts
• Grayscale Charts
• Grayscale Inverse Charts
• Written Instructions
• Illustrations
• Photographic Tutorial

The fisherman’s kep was designed by Jennifer Daley at her studio in Fair Isle, Shetland Islands, Scotland, the historic birthplace of Fair Isle knitting.

The kep is knit circularly. Firstly, provisionally cast on. Secondly, knit the brim, then cast off. Thirdly, unravel the provisional cast on, then knit the interior brim ribbing. Fourthly, continue knitting upward to the head, crown, and apex.

The kep is knit with Jamieson and Smith brand Shetland Heritage wool (or alternately substitute any fingering weight, 2 ply jumper weight, or 2 ply equivalent to a 4 ply).

The pattern requires four colors of wool.

The pattern includes two sizes:

• For a small/medium size fisherman’s kep, knit with 2.5mm knitting needles (for the stranded colorwork).
• For a medium/large size fisherman’s kep, knit with 2.75mm knitting needles (for the stranded colorwork).

The following tools are suggested for this pattern.

• 2.0mm knitting needles (for the ribbing)
• For a small/medium size: 2.5mm knitting needles (for the stranded colorwork)
• For a medium/large size: 2.75mm knitting needles (for the stranded colorwork)

The gauge (or tension) for this Knitting Jenny pattern is:

• 38 stitches and 44 rows (rounds) to 4 inches (10 centimeters) over the stranded colorwork pattern, knit circularly with 2.5mm knitting needles, after washing, blocking, drying.
• 36 stitches and 42 rows (rounds) to 4 inches (10 centimeters) over the stranded colorwork pattern, knit circularly with 2.75mm knitting needles, after washing, blocking, drying.

The book includes a discussion on the topic of Color Dominance, to support consistent, uniform stitch definition.

Additionally included is a Tassel Tutorial, to adorn the apex of the kep in the traditional way.

The book includes 36 illustrations and 55 pages. 

The book is intended to be read electronically, in consideration of the environment.

Published in the United States in 2024 by Mall & Mall Press, a publishing imprint of Mall & Mall LLC.

The book is delivered as an immediate digital download in PDF format and therefore cannot be returned, exchanged, or refunded.