Snowshoe Hat and Cowl Set

This pattern is very simple, and knit in this blend of alpaca and merino, is the softest hat and cowl one can hope for. The finished look is sophisticated, yet it’s an easy introduction to colorwork. Because they’re knit with bulky weight yarns, the hat and/or cowl can be knit in a single sitting (hello TV knitting).

It is knit in the round from the bottom up. It's a simple hat with a traditional 2X2 ribbing, followed by an optional side braid. The body is basic colorwork; no need to pick up floats.

Level = Adventurous beginner

Notions used in this pattern: Casting on, knitting and purling, knitting through the back loop, knitting 2 together, basic colorwork, purling through the back loop, placing markers, decreasing, binding off.

Finished hat measurements

17” (20.5”, 24”) / 43 cm (52 cm, 61 cm) circumference, 9-10 inches (22-24 cm) high from tip of crown to base. Meant to be worn with 0-4” (0-10 cm) of negative ease. 

Choose a size that works with your desired fit.

Finished cowl measurements

24” (61 cm) in diameter, 9” (22 cm)  tall

MATERIALS

- MC: 2 hanks of The Fibre Co. Tundra (60% Camelid - Alpaca | 30% Wool - Merino |10% Silk; approx. 120 yards / 110 meters per hank) or your favorite bulky weight yarn.
- CC: 1 hank of The Fibre Co. Tundra (60% Camelid - Alpaca | 30% Wool - Merino |10% Silk; approx. 120 yards / 110 meters per hank) or your favorite bulky weight yarn.
Shown here in colorway Red Arctic (MC) and Baby Beluga (CC).

*If you are planning on knitting the hat only, you will need 1 hank of MC plus leftover yarn in a contrasting color for CC (25 yards / 23 meters)

Needles: Size US 9 (5.50 mm) and US 10 (6.00 mm) circular needle (16” / 40 cm) ; set of DPNs or longer needle for magic loop

Other notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissor

YARN SUBSTITUTION

You can substitute any Bulky weight yarn that will give you the required gauge using alpaca and/or merino wool. Preferred: Alpaca Merino blends, 100% superwash Merino; Merino nylon blends (75%-25% / 90%-10%), Merino Cashmere blends.

Other sample hat knit with Cascades 128 Superwash (100% Wool - Merino; 128 yards/117 meters) in Navy (MC) and Turquoise (CC)

GAUGE

14 stitches and 21 rows = 4” (10 cm) in stockinette on size US10 (6.00 mm) needles

Exact gauge is not crucial for this project. However, major discrepancies will result in a different yardage requirement and a different fit.

*This product listing is for the pattern only, and does not include the finished items.

This pattern is also available on Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/snowshoe-hat-and-cowl