A few weeks back, I posted about my Bousta Beanie, a fair isle hat which I determined would be the beginning of my personal Project Fair Isle.  As I reported there, I had some difficulties, mostly because this Project is not just about knitting Fair Isle, but about learning to be comfortable with two-handed knitting (holding one strand in each hand).

I have now finished my second project, also a hat, and let me tell you, I am loving Fair Isle knitting!

I love the colours, I love the subtle and the not-so-subtle variations, I love the intricacy and also the simplicity of it (two hands, two sticks, two yarns, two colours to a row).  It feels creative and fun.  And, yes, my left hand is slowly starting to get the hang of it!

This is the Cascade Cap, designed by Janine Bajus of Feral Knitter.  I am officially in love with everything Janine designs and want to make them all.  Some of you may be familiar with her amazing Salmon Coming Home vest:

© Janine Bajus

The Cascade Caps pattern has two colourwarys: one is knit in neutrals and the other (the one I’ve knit) is called the Winter colourway and the colours were “inspired by a drive across the Cascade Mountains one cold December”.  I’ve made it in the colours the pattern calls for using Jamieson’s of Shetland Spindrift.  I love the way this yarn takes to colourwork:

I love how portable hats are when one is knitting with penguins:

This pattern has the most fantastic crown; I think it is glorious:

I knit this hat for Doug, and am happy to report that he seems to like it:

The hat is knit in fingering weight yarn and is very light, but also warm and quite water-resistant. This is good because Doug is in the UK where it is cold and dark and rainy, while I am back in South Africa again (this time in Jo’burg) enjoying the sunshine. (Not that I would ever gloat about it!)

Yes, I am definitely getting the hang of it!  I’ve already bought the yarn for the next installment in Project Fair Isle!