Learn in this Free Fair Isle Beanie Sentro tutorial how to make a Fair Isle Beanie on a Sentro or Addi Knitting Machine. 2 Hr project for Beginners with a video included!
Fair Isle is a traditional knitting technique originating from the Fair Isle in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. It involves creating patterns with multiple colors, typically using two colors per row. The patterns are usually geometric and symmetrical, often featuring motifs like diamonds, stars, and crosses. Fair Isle knitting is known for its intricate designs and the ability to create beautiful, colorful garments, especially sweaters, hats, and mittens.
Material Needed to make a Fair Isle Beanie
- 100 gr of Worsted yarn in the main color
- 4 colors yarn scraps
- darning needle
- Pom pom maker – Purchase here
- Sentro 48 pin for adults and Sentro 40 for kids
Instructions to make a Fair Isle Beanie Sentro Knitting Machine
Best App to design your own Fair Isle pattern
Free app to design geometrical Fair Isle patterns for Addi or Sentro knitting machine colorwork.
Stitcher Pixel Art app
Open a new file
Change the height of the file to the number of rows your design will have
Select the color you want to use
Paint with one color at a time to make your geometrical pattern.
Each square is one needle
Make sure to work with a maximum of 4 stitches of each color otherwise, you will have too big loops on the back
Follow your chart to make the color changes.
Casting on to make a Beanie Hat
To make a Beanie there’s no mystery, it’s just cast on the stitches weaving the yarn on the front of 1 needle and on the back of the 2nd and repeating around. After the last needle, place the yarn inside the yarn guide, then the tension guide and crank the machine following the Fair isle chart below.
Fair Isle Chart and Rows for colorwork
Work with 2 colors of yarn at the same time, using one in front and one on the back of the needles, try to skip a maximum of 3 stitches in every color change otherwise the loops on the back of your work will be too loose.
Start on the bottom of the chart to make your Free fair isle Beanie Sentro
Row 1 – 3: main color
Row 4: white color
Row 5: main color
Row 6 – 7: work 2 needles in the main color and 2 needles with white, watch the video for further instructions
Row 8: main color
Row 9 – 10: work 2 needles in the 3rd color and 2 needles with main color
Row 11: main color
Row 12: 3rd color
Repeat this pattern following the colors in the chart, resulting in a total of 35 rows
Make the remaining rows of the Free fair isle Beanie Sentro in your favourite solid color or the main color, if you want the brim different than the inside of the beanie make 50 rows for the brim and the rest in your other color choice for the inside until you have a total of 120 rows for an adult size.
Kids size Fair Isle Beanie Sentro Knitting Machine
For a kid-sized beanie, use the Sentro or Jamit 40-needle circular knitting machine, which is perfectly suited for smaller heads. Follow the same pattern, but skip one color change since you’ll have fewer rows to work with on the front of the beanie. Work a total of 80 to 100 rows depending on the kids size you are making, from 6 to 8 yo I normally make 80. From 8 to 10 you can make 100 rows.
Sentro knitting Beanie Casting off
- Create one row without yarn to release the stitches from the needles.
- Using the yarn tail and the tapestry needle provided with the machine, remove all stitches.
- Once all loops are collected, remove the needle and pull the yarn to close the opening.
- Use the tapestry needle to make a few secure knots.
- Tuck the remaining yarn inside the tube, joining both ends.
- Close the other side of the tube.
- Bring both yarn tails to the top and tie them together with a final knot.
- Hide the tails cut them, and make a pom pom to match with the Brim.
Conclusion and Tips for Success for colorwork on your Sentro
• Yarn Tension: Keep an eye on the tension, especially when switching colors, to avoid any gaps or uneven stitches. Work the tension with your hand and fingers, in the video I show the right and easiest position you can use. Because of the constant color changes it´s very hard to work the conventional way using the yarn tension guide.
• Manual Color Changes: While a circular knitting machine speeds up the process, the Fair Isle pattern requires manual yarn changes, so take your time to ensure the pattern looks crisp and clean. Also, pull the yarn after every color change to make sure the loops on the back are tight.
• Experiment with Colors: Feel free to experiment with different color combinations to create a beanie that’s uniquely yours.
Creating a Fair Isle beanie with a circular knitting machine combines the beauty of traditional colorwork with the efficiency of modern tools. Whether you’re making this beanie for yourself or as a gift, it’s sure to be a hit. With practice, you’ll master the technique and be ready to tackle even more complex patterns. Happy knitting!
Watch the video tutorial here!
Click here to see the Best Tool to make your own Pom Pom at home!
Explore the Pattern Shop
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Hi! I’m Fabiana, a crochet and knitwear designer with a passion for creating beautiful, functional pieces. I love experimenting with textures, colors, and patterns to craft everything from cozy sweaters to crochet swimsuit. On my YouTube channel, I share tutorials, tips, and behind-the-scenes looks at my design process. Crochet and knitting are more than hobbies—they’re my way of life.
Thanks for getting to know me!
Happy knitting!
