This practical design will step up your winter knitting game. While it looks like just a hat, it’s also a cowl! Knit this intriguing design for all your friends and help everyone keep warm this winter.
Skill Level: Easy
Size: One size fits most
Gauge: No gauge listed
Materials
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick (80% acrylic, 20% wool; 106 yards [97 meters]/170 grams): Barley (1 skein)
Needles: US size 15 (12.0 mm) double pointed needles (but standard knitting needles work well too)
Notions: Yarn needle, button (optional)
Pattern
Cast on 44 stitches.
Rows 1-6: Work in ribbing stitch (knit one, purl one).
Rows 7-16: Work in garter stitch (knit every row).
Rows 17-22: Work in ribbing stitch. Cast off with a long yarn end.
Thread the yarn end into a yarn needle,
Bring both ends of the rectangle together and sew to form a tube.
To make a drawstring, pass one or two strands of yarn through the last row of stitches on the cast off end.
(If your yarn is not strong enough, work a cord of chain stitches.)
To wear as a hat: Tie in a bow to gather up and wear as a hat.
To wear as a cowl: leave the cord relaxed to wear as a pull-over cowl.
Optional, sew on a button for decoration. 
Yes, this can be worked in the round. (By the way, sorry for the error in stating double pointed instead of straight needles, I didn’t notice that.)
To work in the round:
cast on the correct number of stitches,
work in ribbing for the designated rows,
then knit every row for the center part,
then ribbing for the opposite side.
The instructions seem too simple, but I hope I have explained
it clearly enough for all to understand.
I tried this and it works up really fast. The only problem is I have a fat head. So I’m going to try it again and cast on extra stitches.
Is there a way to adapt this pattern to be knit in the round? I dislike seaming and I do a very poor job of seaming causing an ugly part to the finished project.
Hello Anne! I’ve reached out to the designer for advice and she or I will reply as soon as possible. Thanks! – Nicola, Editor
This is a great pattern. I knit it in the round making the cowl closer around the neck for warmth. I have made several for gifts, one for myself and many for charity.
Hat. I always have cold ears.
cowl
Hat
hat
I would probably wear as a hat.
Both – it is a very ingenious pattern, and it is also very practical for both!
Cowl
I am more likely to wear this as a cowl.
A cowl
I’d use it both ways depending on being inside or outdoors.
I’m more likely to wear it as a hat if I only made one, but am likely to make two so I could be coordinated. I’ve never made a convert-able before.
I’d prefer to wear this as a cowl. I have a lot of hats, but not as many cowls!
Cowl, I look horrid in hats.
I’d wear this as a cowl. Thank you for the pattern.
as a cowl
Would probably only wear this as a cowl. I’ve got a pretty sizeable noggin, due to the mass amounts of hair I have, and that hat already looks pretty bulky…
More likely to wear as a hat.
Probably both. It’s cold where I live and I use both hats and cowls and love convertible ones.
Cowl
I’d be more likely to wear it as a cowl.
I don’t usually like to wear hats so it will be a cowl!
A cowl for me – I don’t find bulky weight hats comfortable.
make 2 and no choice left…
I like that you have the option of wearing it as a hat or cowl, but me, I would wear it as a hat. I like the style and I think I can make this one without a problem. Thank you
As a cowl but I like that it serves both purposes so I only need to carry 1 item in my car rather than 2.
Awesome.it was a beautiful present for hunters
I found it odd the pattern refers to stockinette – knit rows. In my experience, stockinette is knit rows and purl rows. I adapted the pattern to reflect my understanding, and it still came out wonderfully. Thanks for the really quick knit.
This pattern looks like rows 7-16 are garter stitch instead of stockinette stitch. The pattern reads correctly to knit every row to attain the appearance presented but the term of stockinette stitch would give a flatter “V” look on one side and the arched look on the other side.
2-1 Cocoa Hat
Hi Mary,
You’re correct – there’s an error in the pattern. It should be “garter stitch”.
Thank you!
Julia
Needles: US size 15 (12.0 mm) double pointed – but instructions say to sew the rectangle together, so presumably this is worked flat, not in the round?
Di,
Yes, this is worked flat and then seamed.
Thank you!
Julia
What a lovely pattern, thats todays project sorted. Thank you
Rows 7-16: Work in stockinette stitch (knit every row).
Shouldn’t it say garter stitch?
Thank you I
Thank you I will like that
This is soooo gorgeous, I give 10 stars
thank you. gonna definitely make
Beautiful! And a great idea, too!
am 87 yrs old & hands are aratic but i would like to try
Another lovely gift to make.
2-1 Hot Cocoa Hat and Cowl Free Instructions.
Rows 7-16 Work in Stockinette Stitch (knit every row) Stockinette Stitch is Knit right side row Purl Wrong Side row. Garter Stitch is Knit Every Row. However if you were working this in the round on a circular needle or 5 Double Pointed Needles then you could Knit every Row and it would look like the Stockinette Stitch.
Is this knit in the round? Why do you have to sew it together?
Mary,
Though the designer calls for dpns, you can use regular knitting needles to follow this pattern. This is worked flat and then seamed.
Thank you!
Julia
Beautiful …love the idea…going yo try it
Simple and clever!
Would love the option of having the patterns as PDF’s
Just wanted to point out an error in the way the pattern is written. In the materials needed section, it calls for size 15 double pointed needles, but in the directions, it doesn’t tell you to knit in the round. However, for Rows 7-16 it describes stockinette stitch as knitting every row. If you are NOT knitting in the round, then stockinette stitch is knit a row, purl a row, kit a row, purl a row, etc. If you ARE knitting in the round, then stockinette stitch would be knit every row BUT you would then not have to sew to form a tube. Also, if you aren’t knitting in the round, then I would think that any size 15 needles would do and even if you are knitting in the round, then a 16 inch circular needle should work just as well as a set of double pointed needles.
That all being said, I still plan to knit this, but I must ask: do you ever employ test knitters, and how would I go about applying for the position if you do?
I like your work, so nice & worm.
Can you please show me how do it by video.
I like show me how you knit men Blouse, how to Decrease under arm, shoulders & for the knick
V collar.
Thank you very much
Suzann
Can’t wait to try this pattern, next on my knitting list. Thanks
Confusing instructions. You say to use size 15 double pointed needles and the reason for dpn’s is to knit either in a circle or to slide the stitches to the other end, like for an I-cord. You don’t say whether to knit in a circle or not, but one can assume that is the purpose of the dpn. However, in the finishing section, you state that the ends must be seamed together. So, is this worked in a circle on dpn’s or is it to be worked on straights and then seam it up?
Hi Janey,
The original designer’s pattern called for DPNs, but you can use regular knitting needles for this. It’s worked straight and is seamed, as per the instructions.
Sorry for the confusion!
Julia
Knitting every stitch in a flat pattern would be garter stitch (shown), not stockinette. Interesting idea, though!
Total awesome, cannot wait to make thank you
Rows 7-16: The Pattern says work in Stockinette – knit every row. This would be true only if you are knitting in the round, and therefore, there would be no need to sew the ends together. On straight needles, knitting every row is garter stitch. Stockinette is knitting one row and then purling the next row. Is this portion of the cowl supposed to be done in garter stitch or stockinette?
Hi Kathy,
Sorry about the error! Yes, this is supposed to be done in garter.
Thank you!
Julia
The pattern is inconsistent. Although it doesn’t say to knit in the round, it asks for double-pointed needles and the middle section is described as stockinette stitch, which can be achieved by knitting every row (which the pattern says to do) only by knitting in the round. However, in the photos the middle section looks like garter stitch. Yet it tells you to sew the ends “of the rectangle” together to form a tube. Please clarify.
Hi Jean,
You’re correct – the pattern calls for dpns, but you can also use regular knitting needles for this. This isn’t done in the round, hence the seaming, and yes – it’s garter stitch.
Thank you, and sorry for the confusion!
Julia