Pine Creek
Fair Isle never goes out of fashion! This tam and cowl set features a pretty pattern
Fair Isle tam and cowl
MARY HENDERSON has used a range of Fair Isle motifs for her cowl and tam set, including the popular OXO pattern, a three-colour checkerboard, and tiny crosses and squares. Both accessories are edged with speckled ribbing, for a pretty touch. Mary has knitted her set in Kelbourne Woolens Andorra, a soft and smooth wool-mohair blend that comes in a choice of vintage-inspired colours.
STITCH PATTERNS SPECKLED RIB
Round 1: *P2, K3; rep from * to end of rnd. Round 2: *P2, K1, P1, K1; rep from * to end of rnd. These 2 rounds set the pattern repeat. Use the Fair Isle technique, carrying the colour not in use up the back of the fabric at the beginning of the round, twisting with other colours at the beginning of each round. The pattern repeat is 24 sts, so you may find it useful to place stitch markers every 24 sts as an aide memoire.
TAM
Using 3mm DPNs or circular needles, 40cm long, and yarn A, cast on 145 sts. Pm and join to work in the round, taking care not to twist sts. Work 12 rounds in Speckled Rib pattern. Begin working Chart A, AT THE SAME TIME increasing across Round 1 as folls: *K3, M1; rep from * to last 4 sts, K to end. 192 sts. Continue working Chart A from Rounds 2-31, reading pattern from right to left and repeating the 24-st repeat 8 times across the round.
SHAPE CROWN
Cont working from Chart A as set, AT THE SAME TIME shaping as folls: Round 32: Decrease 2 sts evenly across the round. 190 sts. Round 33: *K3, SSK; rep from * to end of round. 152 sts. Repeat sts 1-8 from Rounds 34–38 of Chart without shaping. Round 39: *K2, SSK; rep from * to end of round. 114 sts. Move stitch markers to every 19 sts if using.
BEGIN CHART B
Work Chart B six times across the round, decreasing where indicated. 12 sts. Cut yarn, leaving a 5cm tail. Thread yarn through sts and pull tight. Weave in ends.
BLOCKING
Soak in handwash detergent and lukewarm water for 20 minutes, then rinse, following any yarn care instructions on the ball band. Roll up in a clean towel to remove excess moisture. For a tam shape, block over a 28cm dinner plate. Leave until completely dry.
COWL
Using 3mm circular needles and yarn A, cast on 220 sts. Pm and join to work in the round, taking care not to twist sts. Work 12 rounds in Speckled Rib pattern. Begin working Chart A, AT THE SAME TIME decreasing 4 sts evenly across the round. 216 sts. Place stitch markers every 24 sts if using. Continue working Chart A from Rounds 2-50, reading pattern from right to left and repeating the 24-st repeat 9 times across the round. Work Round 51 of Chart A, AT THE SAME TIME decreasing across the round as follows: Round 51: K6, (K2tog, K12) 4 times, (K2tog, K11) 7 times, (K2tog, K12) 4 times, K2tog, K5. 200 sts. Work Speckled Rib for 10 rounds, ending on a Round 2. Cast off using a 3.25mm needle.
FINISHING
Weave in ends and gently block to measurements, following any yarn care instructions on the ball band.