This checkerboard set features a hat, mitts and cowl that use a simple slip-stitch technique to create a stylish Scandinavian look. You will only be working with one color at a time, so relatively new knitters can work up a colorwork pattern all their own. Once you’ve mastered the hat and cowl, you can work on the slightly more complex construction of the matching mittens.
Skill Level: Hat: Easy; Mitts: Intermediate; Cowl: Easy
Size:
Hat: S (M, L)/14½ (18, 21½)” [36 (45, 54) cm] circumference to fit with 3” [7.5 cm] negative ease;
Mitts: S (M, L)/6 (7¼, 8¾)” [14½,(18, 22) cm] circumference around knuckles to fit with up to 1” (2.5cm) negative ease;
Cowl: One size 7½” [19 cm] high x 21½” [54 cm] circumference
Gauge: 22 sts and 51½ rows = 4” [10 cm] in Slip Stitch pattern using larger needles after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn:
Blacker Classic British Wool DK (100% wool; 119 yards [110 meters]/50 grams): Natural Undyed White (MC, 1 ball), True Blue (CC, 1 ball)
Needles: US size 6 (4.0 mm) and 7 (4.5mm): 20-24” circular and DPNs for crown
Notions: Markers, tapestry needle
Hat Pattern Notes
This pattern is worked in the round from the bottom up. The row gauge number may look large, but remember that the slip stitch pattern means you need to work 2 rounds in order to work all the stitches. I have used numbered rounds for ease of reference, but for the smallest size, you will not be working all the rounds.
Hat Pattern
Using MC and smaller needles, CO 80 (100,120) sts. PM and join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist.
Work 8 (8, 10) rnds in 2×2 rib.
Change to larger needles.
K2 rnds, placing markers every 16 (20, 20) sts.
Rnd 1 (MC): *[Sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 5) times, [sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 5) times; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 2 (CC): *[K1, sl1 wyib] 4 (5, 5) times, [k1, sl1 wyif] 4 (5, 5) times; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 3 (MC): *[K1, sl1 wyib] 4 (5, 5) times, [k1, sl1 wyif] 4 (5, 5) times; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 4 (CC): *[Sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 5) times, [sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 5) times; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnds 5-24: Rep Rnds 1-4, 3 (4, 4) times.
Rnd 25 (MC): *[Sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 5) times, [sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 5) times; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 26 (CC): *[K1, sl1 wyif] 4 (5, 5) times, [k1, sl1 wyib] 4 (5, 5) times; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 27 (MC): *[K1, sl1 wyif] 4 (5, 5) times, [k1, sl1 wyib] 4 (5, 5) times; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 28 (CC): *[Sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 5) times, [sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 5) times; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnds 29-48: Rep Rnds 25-28, 3 (4, 4) times.
Rnds 49-72: Rep Rnds 1-4, 4 (5, 5) times.
Break CC yarn and cont in MC only.
Knit 2 rnds.
Decrease Rnd: *K1, k2tog, k to 3 sts before marker, ssk, k1; rep from * to end of rnd. (70 (90, 108) sts)
Knit 3 rnds.
Work Decrease Rnd. (60 (80, 96) sts)
Knit 2 rnds.
Rep last 3 rnds once. (50 (70, 84) sts)
Work Decrease Rnd. (40 (60, 72) sts)
Knit 1 rnd.
Rep last 2 rnds until 20 (20, 24) sts remain.
Next Rnd: K2tog to end of rnd, removing markers. (10 (10, 12) sts)
Break yarn and draw through remaining sts, pulling tight.
Finishing
Weave in ends and block to measurements.
Mitts Pattern Notes
This pattern is mostly worked in the round from the bottom up, but during the middle part of the pattern you will be working back and forth every 4th rnd in order to add the plain MC thumb without long strands of CC along the back of the thumb. The row gauge number may look large, but remember that the slip stitch pattern means you need to work 2 rounds in order to work all the stitches. I have used numbered rounds for ease of reference, but for the smallest sizes, you will not be working all the rounds, and for the larger two sizes, you will be working some extra repeats.
Mitts Pattern
Mittens (Work Both the Same)
Using MC and smaller needles, CO 32 (40, 48) sts. PM and join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist.
Work 8 (10, 10) rnds in 2×2 rib.
Change to larger needles.
Knit 4 rnds, placing 2nd marker after 16 (20, 24) sts.
Rnd 1 (MC): *[Sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once.
Rnd 2 (CC): *[K1, sl 1 wyib] 4 (5, 6) times, [k1, sl1 wyif] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once.
Rnd 3 (MC): *[K1, sl1 wyib] 4 (5, 6) times, [k1, sl1 wyif] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once.
Rnd 4 (CC): *[Sl 1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once.
Largest Size Only
Rep Rnds 1-4 once more.
All Sizes
Rnd 5 (MC): *[Sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, pm, m1. (33 (41, 49) sts)
Rnd 6 (CC): *[K1, sl1 wyib] 4 (5, 6) times, [k1, sl1 wyif] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sl 1 wyib.
Rnd 7 (MC): *[K1, sl1 wyib] 4 (5, 6) times, [k1, sl1 wyif] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, k1.
Rnd 8 (CC): *[Sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sl1 wyib.
Rnd 9 (MC): *[Sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sm, kfb. (34 (42, 50) sts)
Rnd 10 (CC): *[K1, sl1 wyib] 4 (5, 6) times, [k1, sl1 wyif] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sl2 wyib.
Rnd 11 (MC): *[K1, sl1 wyib] 4 (5, 6) times, [k1, sl1 wyif] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, k2.
Rnd 12 (CC): *[Sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sl2 wyib.
Rnd 13 (MC): *[Sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sm, kfb, kfb. (36 (44, 52) sts)
TURN and work next rnd from WS.
Rnd 14 (CC): Sl sts between markers, *[sl1 wyib, p1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyif, p1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once.
TURN and continue working from RS.
Rnd 15 (MC): *[K1, sl1 wyib] 4 (5, 6) times, [k1, sl1 wyif] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sm, k to end of rnd.
Rnd 16 (CC): *[Sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sl sts between markers.
Medium & Large Sizes Only
Rnd 17 (MC): *[Sl 1 wyib, k1] 5 (6) times, [sl1 wyif, k1] 5 (6) times; rep from * once, sm, kfb, k to 1 st before marker, kfb. (46 (54) sts)
TURN and work next rnd from WS.
Rnd 18 (CC): Sl sts between markers,*[sl1 wyib, p1] 5 (6) times, [sl1 wyif, p1] 5 (6) times; rep from * once.
TURN and continue working from RS.
Rnd 19 (MC): *[K1, sl1 wyib] 5 (6) times, [k1, sl 1 wyif] 5 (6) times; rep from * once, sm, k to end of rnd.
Rnd 20 (CC): *[Sl1 wyib, k1] 5 (6) times, [sl1 wyif, k1] 5 (6) times; rep from * once, sl sts between markers.
All Sizes
Rnd 21 (MC): *[Sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sm, kfb, k to 1 st before marker, kfb. (38 (48, 56) sts)
TURN and work next rnd from WS.
Rnd 22 (CC): Sl sts between markers, *[sl1 wyif, p1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyib, p1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sl sts between markers.
TURN and continue working from RS.
Rnd 23 (MC): *[K1, sl1 wyif] 4 (5, 6) times, [k1, sl1 wyib] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sm, k to end of rnd.
Rnd 24 (CC): *[Sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sl sts between markers.
Rep Rnds 21-24, 0 (2, 3) more times. (42 (52, 62) sts)
Rnd 25 (MC): *[Sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sm, k1, transfer next 8 (10, 12) sts to a holder or waste yarn. For Thumb, CO 3 sts using backwards loop method, k1. (37 (45, 53) sts)
TURN and work next rnd from WS.
Rnd 26 (CC): Sl sts between markers, *[sl1 wyif, p1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyib, p1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sl sts between markers.
TURN and continue working from RS.
Rnd 27 (MC): *[K1, sl1 wyif,] 4 (5, 6) times, [k1, sl1 wyib] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sm, k to end of rnd.
Rnd 28 (CC): *[Sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sl sts between markers.
Rnd 29 (MC): *[Sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sm, ssk, k1, k2tog. (35 (43, 51) sts)
TURN and work next rnd from WS.
Rnd 30 (CC): Sl sts between markers, *[sl1 wyif, p1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyib, p1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sl sts between markers.
TURN and continue working from RS.
Rnd 31 (MC): *[K1, sl1 wyif] 4 (5, 6) times, [k1, sl1 wyib] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sm, k to end of rnd.
Rnd 32 (CC): *[Sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sl sts between markers.
From now on, return to standard working in the rnd.
Rnd 33 (MC): *[Sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sm, cdd. (33 (41, 49) sts)
Rnd 34 (CC): *[K1, sl1 wyib] 4 (5, 6) times, [k1, sl1 wyif] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sl 1 wyib.
Rnd 35 (MC): *[K1, sl1 wyib] 4 (5, 6) times, [k1, sl1 wyif] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, k1.
Rnd 36 (CC): *[Sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 6) times; rep from * once, sl1 wyib.
Rnd 37 (MC): [Sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl 1 wyif, k1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyib, k1] 4 (5, 6) times, [sl1 wyif, k1] 3 (4, 5) times, sl1 wyif, ssk, removing marker. (32 (40, 48) sts)
Rnds 38-40: As Rnds 2-4.
Rep Rnds 1-4, 2 (3, 4) times.
Break CC yarn and cont in MC only.
Knit 1 rnd.
Knit 1 rnd.
Next Rnd: *K1, ssk, k10 (14, 16), k2tog, k1; rep from * once. (28 (36, 44) sts)
Rep last 2 rnds until 8 sts remain.
Break yarn and draw through remaining sts, pulling tight.
Thumb
Transfer 8 (10, 12) sts on hold for Thumb to larger needles and knit across these sts.
Pick up and knit 4 (5, 6) sts across base of Thumb. 12 (15, 18) sts
Pm and join to work in the rnd. Work in Stst st until Thumb measures 1¾ (2, 2¼ )” [4.5 (5, 5.5) cm].
Next Rnd: *K2tog, k1; rep from * to end of rnd. (8 (10, 12) sts)
Next Rnd: K2tog to end of rnd. (4 (5, 6) sts)
Break yarn and draw through remaining sts, pulling tight.
Finishing
Weave in ends and block to measurements.
Cowl Pattern Notes
This pattern is worked in the round from the bottom up. The row gauge number may look large, but remember that the slip stitch pattern means you need to work 2 rounds in order to work all the stitches.
Cowl Pattern
Using MC and smaller needles, CO 120 sts. PM and join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist.
Work 4 rnds in 2×2 rib.
Change to larger needles.
Knit 2 rnds, placing markers every 24 sts.
Rnd 1 (MC): *[Sl1 wyib, k1] 6 times, [sl1 wyif, k1] 6 times; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 2 (CC): *[K1, sl1 wyib] 6 times, [k1, sl1 wyif] 6 times; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 3 (MC): *[K1, sl1 wyib,] 6 times, [k1, sl1 wyif] 6 times; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 4 (CC): *[Sl1 wyib, k1] 6 times, [sl1 wyif, k1] 6 times; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnds 5-24: Rep Rnds 1-4, 5 times.
Rnd 25 (MC): *[Sl1 wyif, k1] 6 times, [sl1 wyib, k1] 6 times; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 26 (CC): *[K1, sl1 wyif,] 6 times, [k1, sl1 wyib] 6 times; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 27 (MC): *[K1, sl 1 wyif,] 6 times, [k1, sl1 wyib] 6 times; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnd 28 (CC): *[Sl1 wyif, k1] 6 times, [sl1 wyib, k1] 6 times; rep from * to end of rnd.
Rnds 29-48: Rep Rnds 25-28, 5 times.
Rnds 49-72: Rep Rnds 1-4, 6 times.
Break CC yarn and cont in MC only.
Knit 2 rnds.
Change to smaller needles.
Work 4 rnds in 2×2 rib.
Bind off in rib.
Finishing
Weave in ends and block to measurements.