If you’re thinking of tackling Fair Isle stranded colorwork for the first time, why not make it easy on yourself? Try a small project, with thicker yarn, to get the hang of things!

This pattern makes either a hat or a drawstring bag: both sport a picot-edge brim (the bag has an extra eyelet row for drawstrings of knitted I-cord, or twisted cord, or a trim of your choice).
Four contrast colors only need 12 yards each, so you can use leftovers -- or even a skein or two of Paternayan needlepoint wool!

Choose light colors for contrast on dark main color, or vice versa.