Fair Winds Beanie & Scarf Pattern

The Design

“I wish you fair winds and following seas.”

This nautical blessing describes that happy confluence of good fortune and the good sense to go with the flow. The simple braid pattern on the scarf has cable twists on alternating sides for complete reversibility. The cables on the cap converge neatly at the crest. Both promise smooth sailing!

Pattern includes written and charted instructions for both beanie and scarf.

See how we’ve used this pattern!

The Details

FINISHED SIZES
Beanie: Approx. 18″/46cm around x 7½–8″/19–20.5cm deep, slightly stretched; fits 20–24″/51–61cm head. See sizing tips on the Knitters’ Notes tab.
Scarf: Approx. 8½”/21.5cm wide x 70″/178cm long, after blocking.

YARN
Beanie: Approx. 160 yds/146m light worsted-weight yarn.
Scarf: Approx. 700 yds/640m light worsted-weight yarn.

Shown on her in Berroco Ultra Alpaca (215 yds/198m each), Color 62189.
Shown on him in Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok (123yds/112m each), Color 1317, Midnight Sea.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS:
Beanie: US 6 (4mm) 16″/40cm circular and double-point needles, or size to obtain gauge; plus US 4 (3.5mm) 16″/40cm circular needle, or two sizes smaller than gauge needle.
Scarf: US 7 (4.5mm) needles, or size to obtain gauge. Pins, blocking wires (optional).
Both: Cable needle. Locking stitch marker. Darning needle to finish.

GAUGE
Beanie: Approx. 28 sts = 4″/10cm on gauge needle in beanie cable pattern, slightly stretched.
Scarf: Approx. 26 sts = 4″/10cm on gauge needle in scarf cable pattern, after blocking.

KNITTER’S NOTES
The cable pattern in the beanie is very elastic and will stretch to fit comfortably around a small to large size adult head.

As stitches stretch, however, they shorten up a little, so for a larger size (22–24″) we’ve added ½”/1cm of length to the ribbing.

For a custom fit, measure your head from brow bone (or wherever you would like the beanie to sit on your forehead) over your head to the base of your skull. Divide this number in half, and subtract 6″/15.25cm (length of all cable rounds, including decrease rounds). The remainder is the length of ribbing you’ll need to knit.